GroupM Surpasses Goal to Double Media Investment Through Dedicated Women’s Sports Marketplace – GroupM

Over 20 Leading Brands Meaningfully Invest in Women’s Sports Advertising in 2024 and Beyond  

Media Investment Firm Secures 25 Exclusive First-to-Market and First Look Opportunities for GroupM Clients  

NEW YORK, NY (October 29, 2024) — GroupM, WPP’s media investment group, today announced the company exceeded its pledge to double annual media spend in women’s sports advertising. Since the formation of the agency’s dedicated women’s sports marketplace earlier this year, more than 20 brands across GroupM’s portfolio have expanded their investment strategies to prioritize and monetize women’s sports, including: adidas, Adobe, Ally, Coinbase, Danone, Discover®, Domino’s, DoorDash, Google, Indeed, Mars, method, Nationwide, Target, TJ Maxx, Unilever, Universal Pictures, Volvo, and others.   

GroupM secured 25 first-to-market opportunities with Disney, NBCUniversal, Paramount, and YouTube, among others, for the 2024-2025 broadcast year in an effort to enhance the growth, visibility, and monetization of women’s sports.   

“Doubling spend in women’s sports within a matter of months marks a significant milestone for our company and the industry alike,” said Matt Sweeney, Chief Investment Officer, GroupM US. “While some clients have long been pioneers in this space, others are now broadening their commitments or making first-time investments. This surge of momentum reflects more than a passing trend — it’s a full-fledged movement.” 

GroupM executed high-impact partnerships designed to maximize brand value, elevate visibility, and strengthen audience engagement. Notable examples include: 

• Exclusive YouTube deal providing access to women’s sports audiences through an AI-powered Spotlight Moment sponsorship, ensuring high share-of-voice and prominent ad placement on relevant videos trending during major women’s sports events. 

• Indeed’s Presenting Sponsorship of Thursday Primetime Women’s College Basketball on Disney platforms and the WNBA Feature Sponsorship on Paramount platforms.  

• Google’s Presenting Sponsorships of the WNBA Countdown on Disney platforms, and the NWSL Playoffs and Championship on Paramount and Disney platforms. 

Demand for women’s sports content continues to rise, with ESPN — owned by Disney, an established leader in women’s sports — reporting that this year’s WNBA Finals had the highest viewership in 25 years across all networks. 

“The Women’s Sports Marketplace opened a new frontier in advertising, where we’re shifting beyond traditional media strategies to embrace customization, premium content, and innovative ad formats,” said Denise Ocasio, Executive Director of Investment, GroupM US. “This proves that real value comes from deeper, more impactful engagement. It’s not just about visibility — it’s about fueling a cultural shift that connects with consumers on a more meaningful level.”  

EDO’s recent Women’s Sports TV Outcomes Report revealed double-digit year-over-year improvements in TV ad effectiveness during women’s sports programming, with major events like tennis and basketball emerging as top performers for advertisers in 2023. 

“As technology advances, the ability to deliver real-time engagement, global reach, and deep emotional connection positions sports as one of the most dynamic and lucrative sectors in advertising,” said Martin Blich, Executive Director, Sports and Live Investment, GroupM US. “Sports media is redefining audience engagement. Future progress requires collaboration across the industry, continued innovation, and a shared dedication to women’s sports.”  

GroupM’s commitment measured the media spend negotiated in 2024 for the 2024-2025 broadcast year, compared against the media spend for the 2023-2024 broadcast year. Scatter marketplace investments through Q3 2025 will also contribute to this effort. 

QUOTES FOR ATTRIBUTION 

• Andrea Brimmer, Chief Marketing and PR Officer, Ally: “From the time of our historic pledge to spend equally in 2022, our dream has been systemic change in the way women’s sports media is bought and sold. This dream is coming true. We couldn’t be more proud of what GroupM has built, and we salute the many other advertisers who are now contributing to the monetization of women’s sports, either deepening their commitments or contributing for the first time. When we work together, we can reshape the entire future of women’s sports, and we’ll all realize greater returns along the way.” 

• Kate Rouch, Chief Marketing Officer, Coinbase: “We are proud to partner with GroupM in creating unprecedented opportunities for women’s sports. Together, we are working to update the system for athletes, fans, and brands alike.” 

• Linda Bethea, Chief Marketing Officer, Danone North America: “As a health-driven food company, we are looking for dynamic ways to connect with consumers when nutrition and fitness are top of mind — women’s sports is a hugely influential vehicle for those topics. Women’s sports and female athletes have incredible functional and emotional resonance, which is a powerful pairing for our Danone brands. This marketplace is a very relevant environment for nutritious food, especially for our portfolio, which stands out for our health-driven mission and leading science and benefits.” 

• Amy Adams, VP of Media, Discover: “Women’s sports has been an important area of focus for Discover, particularly in hockey, and partnering with GroupM has helped Discover significantly surpass the media investment goal we set for women’s sports. We’re excited to play a pivotal role in driving this movement forward.” 

• Danielle Brown, SVP of Sports Brand Solutions, Disney: “For nearly three decades, Disney and ESPN have long been invested in the growth and elevation of women’s sports. What started as a long-term commitment has turned into a 27-year overnight success, showcasing female athletes and talent – both on and off the court – with no signs of slowing down. As the premier broadcaster of more than 60% of all women’s sports, we’re delivering brands and advertisers a unique platform to engage with our diverse audiences – furthering the movement and legacy that is women’s sports.”  

• Kate Trumbull, SVP, Chief Brand Officer, Domino’s: “Together, we’re not just changing the game – we’re redefining the future of sports. By supporting this arena, we’re helping to create a more inclusive sports landscape. This movement isn’t just about today; it’s about creating a legacy that reshapes the landscape of sports for generations to come.”

• Carmen Graf, Global VP of Marketing, Indeed: “By amplifying visibility, embracing innovation, and fostering equity in sports, we are setting a new standard for what’s possible across all sectors. Engaging with this audience is not just good business; it’s essential. Indeed champions salary transparency, promotes fair and equitable workplaces, and advocates for better work for all. Supporting women’s sports underscores our commitment to creating a more inclusive landscape across every field.”   
• Ray Amati, Senior Director of Media, Mars Wrigley: “Mars continues to partner with GroupM to champion, and invest in, women’s sports. Leveraging the power of our brands to interact with this growing and passionate audience helps us inspire moments of everyday happiness for sports fans.”
• Peter Lazarus, Executive Vice President, Advertising & Partnerships, NBC Sports & Olympics: “Women’s sports have seen tremendous growth serving as a highly engaging and beloved source of excitement around the world, with strong and increasing demand from brands looking to reach the passionate and diverse fanbase. NBCUniversal is proud to continue to amplify women’s sports across our platforms and by working closely with GroupM we have been able to help more advertisers tap into the power of women’s sports and drive meaningful connections with new audiences.” 

• Ramon Jones, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Nationwide: “The surge in popularity of women’s sports is a testament to the talent, dedication, and resilience of female athletes worldwide. As more fans and sponsors rally behind these inspiring women, we are witnessing a transformative era in sports. Through a shared commitment to women’s sports, GroupM and Nationwide recognize the importance of investing in this space to help shape the future landscape.” 

• Ryan Briganti, EVP, Head of Sports, Paramount Advertising: “The increasing demand for women’s sports advertising reflects brands’ recognition of the deep engagement and influence these audiences offer. Our partnership with GroupM has helped advertisers tap into this growing space, delivering innovative campaigns that elevate both advertiser impact and the reach of women’s sports.” 

• Aaron Sobol, Head of U.S. Media Investment, Unilever: “Investing in advertising in women’s sports is a strategic move that makes our brands unmissable on important cultural stages. Unilever has been investing in women’s sports for years, and we are thrilled to see the space continuing to evolve and mature. By supporting women’s sports, we connect with a passionate and growing audience, driving both brand loyalty and community impact.”