MUMBAI: Advertising giant WPP third quarter revenues have climbed above the ?1 billion mark for the first time. The figure for the three months to 30 September rose 10 per cent to ?1.03 billion following WPP's acquisition of debt-laden UK rival Cordiant Communications in August.

The media group continues to see prospects brighten; the company enjoyed a sales rise of nearly 11 per cent but a 1 per cent increase on a like-for-like basis, stripping out recent buys. The revenues were 2 per cent higher as compared with a flat performance in the first six months of the year.

According to the media reports, the group said it continued to see muted growth in the US, although the UK market continued to be the most affected by economic conditions. The prospects for next year, however, looked much brighter.

With over 69,000 full-time staff employed in 1700 offices worldwide, including in India, WPP also parents advertising agencies J Walter Thompson, Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide and Young & Rubicam. It also has a number of marketing and public relations businesses, including Hill & Knowlton in the UK.

With US Presidential Election and the Athens Olympics likely to generate advertising business, WPP future looked brighter 2004. In the UK, revenues for the third quarter rose by 6 per cent at ?166.4 million following the Cordiant acquisition. Revenues in North America were up 8 per cent and by 11 per cent in continental Europe.

While the advertising and media investment division saw a growth of 14 per cent, the revenues performance of public relations and public affairs work was almost flat.