Purchase of 'B/W/R'

WPP GROUP PLC
18 October 1999


             WPP GROUP PLC ('WPP')

Acquisition of B/W/R Public Relations, largest independent
entertainment public relations firm in the US

WPP has agreed to acquire, on behalf of its wholly-owned
subsidiary Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide, B/W/R Public
Relations ('B/W/R'), the largest independent entertainment
PR firm in the US.  The acquisition makes Ogilvy PR the
world's second largest full-service public relations firm in
the entertainment communications sector.

California-based B/W/R has a strong reputation in public
relations disciplines including entertainment, corporate
communications, technology and new media, consumer products,
hospitality, publishing and special events.  Clients include
Absolut, Disney, Kodak, Playboy, and Reebok, new media
clients such as Club Med, Excite, Spike, TiVo,
Sightsound.com and CineComm Digital Cinema; film and
television projects for virtually all the major networks,
studios and production companies and a roster of more than
150 motion picture and television stars including Leonardo
DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Michael J Fox, Ben Affleck and
Courteney Cox.  B/W/R employs 80 people in Los Angeles and
New York. B/W/R had revenues of $7.2 million for the 10
months to 31 August 1999 and net assets of $1.1 million at
31 August 1999.

With the ongoing convergence of news, entertainment,
technology and new media, the acquisition of B/W/R, with its
unique relationships with celebrities and entertainment
organisations, will enable Ogilvy PR to provide clients with
a wider array of desired services, knowledge and contacts.



For further information, contact:
Feona McEwan, WPP London                44 171 408 2204

www.wpp.com
www.ogilvypr.com