WPP takes horizontality on ‘ground’ with Shanghai Campus
WPP has literally taken its horizontality proposition ‘on-ground’ in China. In a landmark agreement, the communications services group has signed a deal with Nan Fung Group and B.M. Group to lease 20 floors and 41,000 sqm at 399 Heng Feng Road, Shanghai, representing one of the largest office leasing deals ever signed within the city’s central business district areas.
WPP companies to be relocated include Blue Hive, GroupM, Hill+Knowllton Strategies, Millward Brown, J. Walter Thompson, Ogilvy & Mather, Sudler & Hennessey, and TNS. Move-in is expected to commence at the end of 2015. The office space housing the WPP Shanghai Campus is expected to gain LEED Gold certification.
Havas had implemented a similar concept with Havas Village with the objective to drive deeper collaboration between its agencies. In the last two years all Havas agencies are co-located in the same premise in most of its key markets including in Asia Pacific region.
In the case of WPP, however, the scale of operation is massive.
The new building will house the WPP Shanghai Campus, one of its most ambitious co-location efforts. The WPP Shanghai Campus will bring together 26 WPP companies and more than 3,000 people, currently spread across 10 locations.
“China is now WPP’s third largest market, and our commitment to China is deeper than ever. We are proud to support the development of the city of Shanghai and provide our people with the best facilities. One of WPP’s key objectives is horizontality – promoting cooperation across our group companies to improve outcomes for our clients – and bringing our people in Shanghai into this location is an important step towards this goal,” said Sir Martin Sorrell, CEO, WPP.
In Greater China, WPP companies, including associates, have revenue of USD 1.5 billion and employ 15,000 people. 399 Heng Feng Road is part of a three-stage redevelopment project in the Zhabei District, slated to include a 110,000 sqm shopping mall, six office towers, two luxury boutique hotels, and luxury residential sections and estimated for completion in 2017.
“The Nan Fung Group is delighted that WPP has chosen our project as their campus in East China. Their decision illustrates the increasing attractiveness of the Zhabei District to the international business sector. We regard WPP as a long term partner and we look forward to further working with them throughout the region. We will strive to provide to WPP, as well as other tenants excellent service. Taking this opportunity, on behalf of Nan Fung Group and B.M. Group, our joint venture partner, I would like to thank the officials in the Zhabei District for their strong support in making this project a success,” said Antony Leung, Group CEO of Nan Fung.
