WPP has signed a $1.25bn agreement with IBM that will allow the US-based technology giant to handle its cloud operations.
As part of the seven-year agreement, WPP will be able to “innovate new digital services” that will be run and managed with a global hybrid cloud infrastructure created by IBM.
According to a statement, the partnership will expand WPP’s use of big data and analytics to improve its creative process, speed up the release of new products and services, and “foster greater horizontal communication and collaboration across its multiple brands.”
Robin Dargue, WPP Group’s chief information officer said: “As the world’s largest communications group, we are seeking to exploit IBM’s cloud computing expertise to allow us to innovate and add value to both the service and the product we deliver to clients across 111 countries.”
Erich Clementi, Senior Vice President, IBM Global Technology Services said: “This announcement is a significant milestone in the deployment of enterprise cloud and extends IBM’s position as the premier global cloud platform.
“Our secure, open enterprise cloud platform will enable WPP to quickly deliver new innovations to their customers,” he added.
The news comes just days after IBM announced that it has signed a multi-billion dollar deal to provide computer infrastructure services to Dutch bank ABN AMRO.
