WPP's Millward Brown Buys Major Stake In ARMI-Marketing In Russia & Ukraine

(RTTNews) - WPP plc's (WPP.L, WPPGY) wholly-owned operating company, Millward Brown, a global player in brand, media and communications research, has agreed to acquire a majority stake in ARMI-Marketing in Russia.

Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Moscow, ARMI is a market research services provider in Russia and Ukraine. Clients include leading multinational and local brands, including two-thirds of Russia's top 15 advertisers. ARMI's consolidated unaudited revenues for 2012 were around RUB 735 million, and it employs nearly 200 people.

According to WPP, this investment continues its strategy of developing its services in fast-growing and important markets and sectors. With ARMI, WPP companies, including associates, would have revenues of morte than $300 million and employ over 2,000 people in Russia. Across the Central and Eastern European markets collectively, WPP companies, including associates, generate revenues of well over $600 million and employ some 6,000 people.