Listed marketing company WPP Scangroup reported a reduced loss for the first half of 2025, reflecting improved performance compared to the same period last year. The company recorded a loss of KES 208.3 million, down from KES 252 million in H1 2024, aided by a drop in foreign exchange losses. Gross profit declined by 16% to KES 814.6 million, from KES 972.3 million in the same period last year, attributed to a challenging trading environment, reductions in client spending, and .
Operating expenses went down 2.7% to KES 1.08 billion from KES 1.11 billion in H1 2024, largely driven by prudent cost management. Foreign exchange loss shrank 97.4% to KES 6.5 million from KES 250 million, underpinned by stability in the Kenyan Shilling.
Scangroup recorded a loss of KES 208.3 million, reflecting a 17.4% improvement from a KES 252.3 million loss in the same period last year. The company’s asset base contracted 8.7% to KES 6.6 billion, while total equity decreased by 7.4% to KES 4.6 billion. Loss per share stood at KES 0.46. (H1 2024: 0.57). The board of directors did not recommend an interim dividend.
Scangroup Focus
The marketing company seeks to reduce non-essential expenses that could hinder short-term growth. Scangroup aims to make selective investments in data, content, and technology. While preparing for a cost increase in a cost-conscious manner, the company wants to give stability to the client portfolio. The firm plans to lay off staff due to increased costs. As of December 2024, the company has 434 staff and remains confident that the redundancies will properly position the business for the future.
The advertiser expects to experience the impact of the exit of its key customer – Airtel Africa at the end of the year. Airtel Africa ended its 15-year engagement with WPP’s Ogilvy Africa in May 2025.
