LONDON, Feb 27 (Reuters) - British ad group WPP ( WPP )

reported a worse-than-expected 1.0% decline in full-year organic

revenue after a disappointing final quarter, when it said it was

hit by weaker client discretionary spend in its home market,

North America and China.

Headline operating profit rose 2.0% on a like-for-like basis

to 1.71 billion pounds ($2.17 billion), it said on Thursday,

meeting market expectations.

The results confirmed the company, which lost its crown as

the most biggest ad group to French rival Publicis in

2024, has fallen behind some of its peers, which include U.S.

rivals Omnicom ( OMC ) and Interpublic, which have

agreed a $13.25 billion all-share merger.

Analysts had expected WPP ( WPP ) to report organic growth of

-0.4%.

For its guidance for 2025, it said it expected organic

revenue to come in between flat and down 2%, with performance

improving in the second half.

"Though we remain cautious given the overall macro

environment, we are confident in our medium-term targets and

believe our focus on innovation, a simpler client-facing offer

and operational excellence will support our growth and deliver

greater value for our shareholders," Chief Executive Mark Read

said.

($1 = 0.7898 pounds)