• by Joe Mandese  @mp_joemandese, May 7, 2008

WPP chief Martin Sorrell once again was one of Madison Avenue's highest paid executives during 2007, receiving $6.988 million in total compensation last year, according to the agency holding company's just released annual report. That represents an 8.4% increase from the $6.444 million in compensation Sorrell received in 2006, and beats WPP's 5% revenue growth in 2007 by a wide margin.

WPP finance chief Paul Richardson was the second best compensated executive in the company during 2007, earning $3.130 million in compensation, down slightly from $3.154 in 2006 compensation.

WPP Digital chief Mark Read was the company's third highest paid executive, reaping $1.413 million in 2007 compensation, up from $1.264 million in 2006.

WPP did not disclose 2007 earnings for GroupM chief Irwin Gotlieb, but the last time it released his compensation figures in the 2005 WPP annual report, Gotlieb earned $4.277 million, including some long-term deferred compensation.