• by Joe Mandese  @mp_joemandese, March 4, 2011

WPP's branding, healthcare and specialist communications units, which include digital media and interactive advertising services grew by 7.3% during the fourth quarter of 2010, according to earnings results released by the agency holding company this morning.

WPP said that performance was "well ahead" of the units' first half growth of 2.1%, but was down slightly from their 8.1% pace in the third quarter.

Those results, which were reported on a "constant currency" basis, performed better than WPP's overall revenues during the quarter, which rose 5.6%.

"This continuing improvement was driven largely by our uniquely global direct, digital and interactive businesses, amongst others comprising OgilvyOne, with global revenues of over $800 million, VML and Wunderman, with global revenues over $900 million," WPP reported.