Merger Agreement

WPP Group PLC
09 January 2008


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                            9 JANUARY 2008



                             WPP GROUP PLC ("WPP")

               Yankelovich to join Henley Centre HeadlightVision

WPP announces that Yankelovich Holdings Inc, the leading US consumer trends and
lifestyle research business, has signed a definitive merger agreement with WPP
to join Henley Centre HeadlightVision, WPP's wholly-owned consumer trends and
futures research and consultancy business. The merger will become effective upon
the satisfaction of certain conditions. Henley Centre HeadlightVision is part of
Kantar, WPP's research, insight and consultancy division.

Founded in 1958, Yankelovich is based in Chapel Hill, NC. Yankelovich's clients
include consumer packaged goods, financial services, media, telecommunications
and healthcare companies, such as GlaxoSmithKline, Kraft, Rockefeller Foundation
and Unilever.

Yankelovich's unaudited revenues for the year ended 31 December 2006 were
US$17.8 million, with gross assets at the same date of US$9.4 million.

The addition of Yankelovich to Henley Centre HeadlightVision will create an
enlarged company employing 145 people with researchers and consultants based in
Chapel Hill, New York, London, Delhi and Mumbai.  Plans to expand into China are
already underway.

This investment continues WPP's strategy of developing its services in more
measurable areas for its clients - such as information, insight and consultancy
-and in strengthening its networks in important markets and sectors.

Contact:
Feona McEwan, WPP
44-207408 2204
www.wpp.com



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