WPP is negotiating with Asatsu-DK Inc., Japan's third largest ad shop to buy its minority stake in a digital ad shop Digital Advertising Consortium for an estimated $43 million, the companies have
confirmed. While the holding company cautioned that due diligence was still proceeding, WPP indicated it expects to "execute a legally binding definitive agreement" by the end of the week. Last week
ADK confirmed selling off a smaller portion of its holdings in the digital shop for around $17 million. If WPP completes the transaction it would have an ownership interest in the firm of a little
under 19%. The single largest stakeholder in DAC is Hakuhodo DY Media Partners with just over 45% of the firm.
