From Adweek · Christopher Cicchiello · · 1m 40s
Sony Handed Over Its Own WPP Rebate Findings
New court filings say Sony came to the whistleblower's lawyers unprompted, undercutting WPP's claim the documents were taken improperly.
In brief
New court filings say Sony came to the whistleblower's lawyers unprompted, undercutting WPP's claim the documents were taken improperly. WPP argued the Sony investigation files were obtained by improper means and should be sealed; the new filings say Sony volunteered them, and a judge will settle it on October 27…
Sony came to them
Court documents filed Thursday say Sony voluntarily handed over findings from its own investigation into WPP's business practices to the lawyers suing the holding company.
The fired exec behind it
Richard Foster, former CEO of GroupM's Motion Entertainment, sued WPP in October 2025, alleging he was retaliated against and fired for trying to expose a global illegal rebate scheme.
Brokers and held rebates
The sealed complaint includes graphics charting how WPP executives used brokers in China to hold rebates for "later utilization." Three executives were charged there in 2023, one drawing a life sentence.
“used brokers in China to hold onto rebates for "later utilization"”
A contact form, then a meeting
A Sony representative reached Foster's firm through a "contact us" form on February 26, 2026. A May 18 request led to a meeting the next day, where Sony reps handed over the documents.
“Sony's submission was "unsolicited."”
WPP's story falls apart
WPP had claimed the documents were obtained by improper means and moved to seal them over competitive concerns. Thursday's memo argues Sony's own investigation named the same executives who fired Foster.
Sealed until October 27
The judge temporarily sealed the disputed documents ahead of a hearing on October 27, restricting access to dozens of filings. Neither Sony nor WPP responded to requests for comment.
“He believes those reports led to retaliation against him by his former employer”
In short
WPP argued the Sony investigation files were obtained by improper means and should be sealed; the new filings say Sony volunteered them, and a judge will settle it on October 27.
