WPP is merging design firms Design Bridge and Superunion to create what it calls a “single world-leading design firm,” Design Bridge and Companions. Superunion itself is the outcome a 2018 merger between WPP design outlets Model Union, The Companions, Lambie-Nairn and Addison.

WPP lately merged large media store MediaCom with Essence to kind EssenceMediacom, with Essence seemingly within the driving seat. It has additionally created merged VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson and folded Gray into AKQA Group.

John Morris, CEO of Design Bridge and Companions, says; “It’s completely improbable to have the ability to carry collectively two inventive powerhouses in design. Marrying the ‘better of each’, Design Bridge and Companions shall be actually formidable, providing larger profit for our shoppers by way of shared experience and, importantly, many extra alternatives for our individuals to develop.” Superunion’s Jim Prior is chair (each beneath.)

WPP CEO Mark Learn says: “Design Bridge and Companions shall be a frontrunner in design and an necessary a part of our easier, future-facing shopper provide. Shaped from two profitable firms in Design Bridge and Superunion, it would create new progress alternatives each for our individuals and our shoppers.”

Design outlets performed a pivotal position in WPP’s formation in 1985 and subsequent progress with founder Sir Martin Sorrell snapping up plenty of them as he sought to construct a marcoms group. It entered promoting with the acquisition of Madison Avenue’s J. Walter Thompson in a $400m plus deal in 1987.

It’s ironic that these branding specialists have all now been lumped collectively however that appears to be the best way all of the advert holding firms are transferring. How lengthy will it’s earlier than we have now WPP Inventive, WPP Media and a small variety of different leviathans?