WPP makes second China acquisition this week, and it's only Tuesday

Two companies in two days, as WPP announced it had acquired XMKT Group, a marketing services agency specialising in customer experience management.The news comes one day after WPP agency JWT acquired Shanghai Egift Design and Production, premium and gift specialists. Established in 2002, Egift serves a range of blue chip international clients in China, including Johnson & Johnson, Roche, Pechoin, Conde Naste and Novartis. The company will operate independently as part of JWT’s activation, field and shopper marketing operations in China. XMKT Group specialises in marketing and promotional activities in entertainment facilities or retail shopping malls; Entertainment – offering consultancy on procurement and incorporation of entertainment properties; and Digital – providing digital marketing strategy.Like Egift, XMKT is headquartered in Shanghai with offices in Beijing, Guangzhou and Chengdu, as well as onsite management capabilities across 67 Chinese cities. The Group employs approximately 253 people. Key clients include Diageo and Uniqlo.In China, WPP companies generate revenues of US$1.4 billion and employ over 14,000 people. WPP recently raised its targets from 35% to 40% for fast-growth markets and new media to at least 40-45%, over the next five years.