WPP unit wins $55m treasury account despite drug account scandal

by Staff,, Brand Republic 09-Aug-02, 08:30

NEW YORK - Despite recent troubles with the US government and its anti-drugs work, the WPP Group has won a $55m (£36m) advertising and public relations account from the US Treasury Department through its international PR network Burson-Marsteller.

Burson-Marsteller has been handed the task of introducing new bills, which will range from the $20 bill upwards. The new money is due to be introduced as early as autumn 2003, redesigned to make counterfeiting more difficult.

The $100 and $50 notes will follow in 12 to 18 months. Known as NexGen, the notes will remain the same size and use similar portraits and historical images as the current ones.

However, the new designs will include the introduction of subtle background colours, watermarks, enhanced security threads that glow under ultraviolet light, microprinting, and colour-shifting ink that changes colour when the note is tilted.

WPP also owns advertising agency Ogilvy & Mather, which ran into problems recently over allegations of over-billing for work the agency did on the US government's anti-drugs programme.

The WPP Group was founded in 1953, and now has 72 offices in 32 countries. It also owns advertising agencies including J Walter Thompson and O&M.

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