5b20a255__2010___The_Board_of_Directors__Potential_impact
[Issue] The Group competes for clients in a highly competitive industry and client loss may reduce market share and decrease profits. [How it is managed] Operating companies seek to establish reputations in the industry that attract and retain clients, including by improving the quality of their creative output. The Group’s different agency networks limit potential conflicts of interest and the Group’s cross- discipline team approach seeks to retain clients. Brand Check at every Board meeting. [Potential impact] 
Competitors include large multinational advertising and marketing communication companies and regional and national marketing services companies. New market participants include database marketing and modelling companies, telemarketers and internet companies. Service agreements with clients are generally terminated by the client on 90 days’ notice and many clients put their advertising and communications business up for competitive review from time to time. The ability to attract new clients and to retain existing clients may also in some cases be limited by clients’ policies about conflicts of interest.
WPP Annual Report 2010 - The Board of Directors