WPP PLC (LON:WPP) has appointed Cindy Rose, the boss of Microsoft UK, as a non-executive director in a bid to take the advertising fight to online giants.
The FTSE 100 advertising firm said Rose, who prior to joining Microsoft oversaw the expansion of retail stores at mobile operator Vodafone PLC (LON:VOD), would join the board on 1 April and serve on the company’s audit committee.
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Rose’s appointment comes as WPP attempts to turn itself around under the leadership of new chief executive Mark Read, who replaced founder and former boss Martin Sorrell who left last April after allegations of personal misconduct.
The plan already involves cutting the number of agencies run by the firm with the aim of saving £275mln by 2021.
Bringing in the boss of Microsoft UK could help the company address pressures stemming from online competitors such as Google and Facebook that are becoming increasingly dominant of ad space and causing headaches for traditional conglomerates as clients forgo their services in favour of online marketing.
In mid-morning trading Tuesday, WPP shares were flat at 855.2p.