Walgreens partners with WPP for global marketing program

Business Wire

DEERFIELD - Walgreens Boots Alliance has partnered with WPP and selected a team of WPP agencies to operate and develop multiple marketing and communications channels for its retail and wholesale businesses as well as its health and beauty product brands.

"Team WBA" will provide services including traditional and digital advertising, media investment management, promotion & relationship marketing, public affairs, media relations and communications for the enterprise, realizing significant benefits globally.

Hub office locations for 'Team WBA' will be created by WPP in Chicago, London and New York to support Walgreens Boots Alliance and businesses including Walgreens, Boots and Alliance Healthcare businesses.

WPP is the world's largest communications services group with billings of $73 billion and revenues of $19 billion. The company employs 200,000 people (including associates and investments) in over 3,000 offices across 113 countries.

"We have grown rapidly, so too have our marketing and communications needs, and this multi dimensional model and new way of working will better support our vision for the company and future growth plans" said Stefano Pessina, Walgreebs Boots Alliance executive vice chairman and CEO. "This more integrated way of working will help us to strengthen brand recognition, while unlocking potential synergies, creating increased efficiencies and helping streamline our activities globally."

Sir Martin Sorrell, Chief Executive, WPP, said: "We look forward to partnering with Walgreens Boots Alliance to help further enhance what are already iconic brands in the health and wellbeing category. Team WBA will be a custom solution that draws together the talent and resources from across WPP to develop effective communications that will differentiate WBA and drive results."