Mark Read is set to take full control of WPP. He does so at a time of tumult and uncertainty at WPP, which has seen its stock hammered. WPP must restructure with purpose around its top brandsSorrell knew that WPP needed to be leaner, and under his tenure, smaller agencies disappeared into larger ones. All networks have this challenge that sees them needing to become more responsive, less layered and less bureaucratic - descriptions Sorrell has raised since his departure from WPP. "From what I've heard from senior WPP CEOs, they'll continue to merge smaller agency brands to improve administrative efficiency and offer clients' broader capabilities under one roof," said a source with knowledge of the WPP's plans. Read has been groomed for the top job for several years, having sat on the WPP board and then run WPP Digital when he was the boss of Wunderman. "A holding group CEO isn't there to fill empty seats anymore like they might have been in previous years," said the former WPP exec. As the biggest agency network, WPP felt that impact harder than most. "The smartest clients are asking us to help them bring media trading in-house over a long-term period," said a senior exec at a WPP agency. Read more