Two of the world’s biggest advertising holding companies are pushing ahead with major executive pay increases, with the global CEO of WPP, Cindy Rose, set to receive up to £11.1 million (A$22.8 million), while the global CEO of Publicis Groupe, Arthur Sadoun, is in line for potential compensation of €10.5 million (A$18.2 million).
At WPP’s annual general meeting, shareholders approved Rose’s pay package with 75.84 per cent support, although almost one in four votes cast opposed the remuneration report — a significant protest vote given Rose has been in the role for less than a year.
Proxy advisers ISS and Glass Lewis had both urged investors to reject the package.
Rose took over in September last year during a period of client losses and weakening growth, and now sits at the centre of a major turnaround effort. Her maximum payout of £11.1 million (A$22.8 million) is tied to demanding performance targets, including a 50 per cent rise in WPP’s share price alongside short- and long-term incentive goals.
She joined WPP on a base salary of £1.25 million (A$2.6 million), plus a US apartment allowance, and has since launched a sweeping restructuring plan known as “Elevate28”.
The strategy includes £500 million (A$1.03 billion) in cost reductions, consolidation of operations and a streamlined leadership structure across global markets, with WPP targeting a return to growth by 2027.
WPP — once the world’s largest advertising company — reported full-year 2025 revenue of £13.55 billion (A$27.9 billion), down 8.1 per cent on a reported basis and 3.6 per cent on a like-for-like basis. Revenue also fell again in the March quarter, although management said trading remained consistent with expectations and pointed to an improving outlook later in the year.
At the same time, Publicis is moving to reward Sadoun after several years of strong growth that has lifted the French group ahead of many global rivals.
Publicis’ board has proposed increasing Sadoun’s fixed annual compensation by 20 per cent to €1.404 million (A$2.4 million), noting his base salary has remained unchanged since 2022 and sits below peers at WPP and Omnicom Group.
Including incentives, Sadoun’s total package could rise to €10.5 million (A$18.2 million), subject to performance conditions.
