WPP Group and Active Value, until now rivals in the struggle over Cordiant Communications, began talks yesterday to explore possible joint action against a common enemy.

A last-minute intervention by WPP, mooting a revised offer for its UK advertising rival, delayed a plan by Cerberus Capital Management, a US investment fund that has a controlling interest in Cordiant's senior debt, to apply for it to be put into administration.

Cerberus and Publicis, the French advertising group, want to split Cordiant's assets between them in a pre-packaged deal that would be included with the administration application.

Active Value, Cordiant's largest shareholder with 16.75 per cent, has been seeking to replace management with its own team and to get backing for an equity injection intended to preserve the communication company's independence.

Cordiant's shares were suspended from trading yesterday before the London market opened. - (Financial Times Service)