17213: VMLayoffs.

  

Advertising Age reported VML dumped fewer than 100 drones in North America—representing less than 1% of the White advertising agency’s regional staff—claiming shifting needs of its clients.

 

When clients are shifting, companies are shafting—that is, employees get the shaft.

 

VML lays off staff in North America, citing shift in client needs

 

By Ewan Larkin

 

WPP’s VML has laid off fewer than 100 employees in North America, which represents less than 1% of its regional staff, according to a person familiar with the matter.

 

“As a result of the shifting capability needs of our client partners, today we reduced less than 1% of staff across North America. It is always difficult to make these decisions, but it was necessary to provide the right skill sets across our business engagements,” VML said in a statement. “To ensure we continue to be transformative and nimble, we must align our staffing and business management with our key growth areas, evolving technology considerations and dynamic market conditions. We are continuing to hire specific roles to support growth areas across our markets.”

 

The cuts are the latest in a barrage of layoffs hitting agencies this year, including at VML’s sibling shop Ogilvy, which laid off roughly 700 employees, or about 5% of its global workforce, in June. At the time, Ogilvy stated the move was part of efforts to streamline global operations and “further integrate” WPP Open, WPP’s AI platform.

 

Job cuts are also expected following Omnicom Group’s acquisition of Interpublic Group of Cos., a deal poised to create the world’s largest ad holding company. Earlier this year, IPG Mediabrands laid off just over 100 employees.

 

VML had 26,000 employees worldwide, according to WPP’s annual report for year-end 2024, down 7.1% from 28,000 the previous year.

 

The shop in 2024 accounted for about one-fourth of WPP’s stated year-end worldwide headcount of 108,044 employees. WPP’s worldwide headcount at year-end 2024 fell by 6,129 jobs or 5.4% vs. year-end 2023 levels. WPP’s North America headcount in 2024 averaged 22,474 employees, down by 1,088 jobs or 4.6% from 2023.

 

Contributing: Bradley Johnson