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WPP's India Business Falls 2.9% In H1, CEO Cites Sporting-Event Timing

Ad Tribe Editorial1 min read
A downward arrow beside a rising line chart, representing WPP's India H1 results and expected recovery

WPP's India business recorded a 2.9% like-for-like decline in revenue less pass-through costs in the first half of 2026, with chief executive Cindy Rose attributing the fall to the timing of a major sporting event rather than a structural slowdown.

  • Group context: WPP's overall revenue fell 5.6% in the first half of 2026
  • India specifically: Down 2.9% like-for-like, which the company frames as cyclical rather than structural
  • Client management: Reckitt India retention was cited among the group's H1 gains as WPP tightens its client roster
  • Forward focus: The group is betting on AI, commerce and India to power its next phase of growth

"Just The Timing Of A Sporting Event"

Asked directly whether India would improve in the second half, Rose said: "This is really just the timing of a sporting event in India that can drive a lot of volatility, and we're expecting, yes, to get back to growth in the second half." The comment frames India's H1 weakness as a scheduling quirk tied to a single event rather than a broader pullback in client spending.

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#Cindy Rose#Holding Company Earnings#WPP
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