Los Angeles Times: Brewer Files Suit Against WPP on Behalf of Former CEO Alleging Whistleblower Retaliation and Wrongful Termination

November 12, 2025 – The Los Angeles Times reports today that Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors has filed suit on behalf of the former CEO of WPP’s GroupM, Richard Foster. The lawsuit alleges that WPP terminated Foster after years of internal whistleblowing over the company’s alleged misuse of client rebate ad revenue, a practice Foster claims amounted to a kickback scheme amassing between $1.5 billion to $2 billion. 

Foster, the producer behind “Love Island” and other reality TV shows, raised repeated concerns with senior executives about the legality and ethics of WPP’s rebate handling. In December, he submitted a 35-page internal report warning of the potential risks the rebates could pose to the company.  

In January, Foster was asked to discuss the report with Brian Lesser, global CEO of GroupM. Lesser expressed concerns and claimed he would investigate further. However, days later, Foster claims he received a text from Lesser requesting a sanitized version of the report, one scrubbed of any criticism of GroupM.  

Despite Foster’s 17-year tenure, WPP executives chose not to confront his claims. Rather, he claims they marginalized him and ultimately, on July 10th, terminated him.  

“Richard Foster devoted nearly two decades to helping build one of the world’s most successful media and entertainment creation operations,” said lead counsel William A. Brewer III, partner at Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors. “When he stood up for transparency and accountability at WPP, he was let go. This case will shine a light on systemic misconduct and the retaliation faced by an executive who refused to go along to get along.” 

The complaint alleges violations of whistleblower protections statutes seeking $100 million in damages.  

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