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<PAGE>
Exhibit 12.2
WPP GROUP PLC
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The following tables, presented in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles of both the U.K. and the U.S., show the ratios of earnings
to fixed charges of WPP and for the combined company on a pro forma basis for
the periods indicated. The ratio of earnings to fixed charges has been computed
by dividing total earnings by total fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of
interest and one-third of rental expense as representative of the interest
portion of rentals.
WPP
U.K. GAAP
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED AND AT DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
(IN (POUND) MILLIONS, EXCEPT RATIO INFORMATION)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
EARNINGS
Operating profit 290.8 245.2 205.5 182.4 149.5
(less associate income) (27.3) (16.1) (10.6) (12.3) (14.5)
Operating profit 263.5 229.1 194.9 170.1 135.0
plus dividends and receipts from associates 4.3 3.4 2.8 5.1 5.0
Interest expense 33.8 30.0 26.4 29.7 36.3
Interest component of rental expense 27.7 24.2 24.0 25.3 26.7
-------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL EARNINGS 329.3 286.7 248.1 230.2 203.0
-------------------------------------------------------
FIXED CHARGES
Interest expense 33.8 30.0 26.4 29.7 36.3
Interest component of rental expense 27.7 24.2 24.0 25.3 26.7
Amortization of bond costs -- -- -- -- 0.0
-------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL FIXED CHARGES 61.50 54.17 50.37 54.97 63.00
-------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 5.35x 5.29x 4.93x 4.19x 3.22x
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
WPP
U.S. GAAP
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED AND AT DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
(IN (POUND) MILLIONS, EXCEPT RATIO INFORMATION)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
EARNINGS
Operating profit 290.8 245.2 205.5 182.4 149.5
(less associate income) (27.3) (16.1) (10.6) (12.3) (14.5)
Operating profit 163.0 188.3 159.1 129.8 92.0
plus dividends and receipts from associates 4.3 3.4 2.8 5.1 5.0
Interest expense 33.8 30.0 26.4 29.7 36.3
Interest component of rental expense 27.7 24.2 24.0 25.3 26.7
--------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL EARNINGS 228.8 245.9 212.3 189.9 160.0
--------------------------------------------------------
FIXED CHARGES
Interest expense 33.8 30.0 26.4 29.7 36.3
Interest component of rental expense 27.7 24.2 24.0 25.3 26.7
Amortization of bond costs -- -- -- -- 0.0
Amortization of July 1992 capital
restructuring costs -- -- -- -- 7.3
--------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL FIXED CHARGES 61.50 54.17 50.37 54.97 70.30
--------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 3.72x 4.54x 4.21x 3.45x 2.28x
</TABLE>
-2-
<PAGE>
PRO FORMA
U.K. GAAP
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
WPP Y&R PRO FORMA
(Pounds (Pounds (Pounds
in millions) in millions) in millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
EARNINGS
Operating profit 290.8 -- 290.8
(less associate income) (27.3) -- (27.3)
Operating profit 263.5 138.0 401.5
plus dividends and receipts from 4.3 2.29 6.6
associates
Interest expense 33.8 14.89 48.7
Interest component of rental expense 27.7 17.55 45.3
----------------------------------
TOTAL EARNINGS 329.3 172.7 502.0
----------------------------------
FIXED CHARGES
Interest expense 33.8 14.8 48.6
Interest component of rental expense 27.7 17.6 45.3
Amortization of bond costs -- -- --
----------------------------------
TOTAL FIXED CHARGES 61.5 32.4 93.9
----------------------------------
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 5.35x 5.33x 5.35x
</TABLE>
-3-
<PAGE>
PRO FORMA
U.S. GAAP
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
WPP Y&R PRO FORMA
(Pounds (Pounds (Pounds
in millions) in millions) in millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
EARNINGS
Operating profit 163.0 171.9 334.9
plus dividends and receipts from
associates 4.3 2.3 6.6
Interest expense 33.8 14.9 48.7
Interest component of rental expense 27.7 17.6 45.3
----------------------------------
TOTAL EARNINGS 228.8 206.6 435.4
----------------------------------
FIXED CHARGES
Interest expense 33.8 14.8 48.6
Interest component of rental expense 27.7 17.6 45.3
Amortization of bond costs -- -- --
----------------------------------
TOTAL FIXED CHARGES 61.50 32.40 93.88
----------------------------------
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 3.72x 6.38x 4.64x
</TABLE>
-4-
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