Dell plans to consolidate its worldwide marketing, advertising and communications operations into a single new public relations unit led by WPP, the UK advertising group. The advertising pact, worth $4.5bn in billings over the next three years, will come as a significant fillip for WPP as Sir Martin Sorrell, its chief executive, has been trying to persuade investors they are undervaluing the company’s share price. WPP’s stock price has fallen 18% in the past six months, underperforming the London market. Mark Jarvis, Dell’s chief marketing officer, said WPP would set up a separate company to deal exclusively with the computer maker.
