WPP Edges Closer to Retaining Coca-Cola Account -- Market Talk

0956 GMT - WPP is in the pole position to retain Coca-Cola's international media account and even win back the U.S. portion it lost to rival Publicis Groupe, Bank of America analysts say in a research note. Reports that PepsiCo shifted its global media duties to Publicis from Omnicom Group could make WPP a collateral winner, since Publicis is withdrawing from Coca-Cola's pitch, the analysts say. "We think it unlikely that [Omnicom] will be invited to pitch, given it remains on PepsiCo's roster, while other agencies are unlikely to be sufficiently scaled," they add. For Omnicom, the news is disappointing and reinforces concerns about staff departures and client losses after its acquisition of Interpublic, according to Bank of America. WPP shares rise 4% and Publicis trades 3.6% higher. Omnicom closed 5% lower Wednesday. (adria.calatayud@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 03, 2026 05:57 ET (09:57 GMT)