• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, September 21, 2022

WPP has acquired JeffreyGroup, an independent corporate communications, public affairs, and marketing consulting firm in Latin America founded by Jeffrey Sharlach 30 years ago.

WPP said JeffreyGroup will join the Hill+Knowlton Strategies international network and will create the largest global communications agency presence in Latin America, doubling the H+K  Strategies’ footprint in the region.

The acquired company is headquartered in Miami, with 330 people across offices in Mexico City, Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Buenos Aires. It has worked with well-known brands like Amazon, American Airlines, AstraZeneca, Bacardí, Bayer, BlackRock, Johnson & Johnson, Marriott International, Salesforce, TikTok, and Walt Disney World Resorts.

WPP CEO Mark Read stated that “WPP’s public relations and communications services have never been more in demand… Latin America continues to be an important growth market for our clients, and JeffreyGroup will strengthen our established presence in the region.”

The M&A deal is the latest in a series of transactions WPP has completed this year. Others include ecommerce consultancy Newcraft, ecommerce agency Corebiz, martech firm Bower House Digital and influencer marketing agency Village Marketing.