Interpublic Group of Companies

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The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (IPG) (NYSE: IPG) is a holding company for hundreds of marketing, advertising, and other business service companies around the globe. It is headquartered in New York City and is the parent company of Universal McCann media agency and McCann-Erickson, the largest advertising agency in the world.

IPG was created in 1960 as the first marketing services management holding company, with McCann-Erickson and McCann-Marschalk as its two subsidiaries. Since then, it has grown tremendously, with over 185 companies purchased in a two-year span from 1999 to 2001. Comparisons have been made to AOL Time Warner, as both are media conglomerates that have trouble managing their holdings. The advertising firm Campbell-Ewald is also a subsidiary of IPG.

In 2002, IPG suffered a precipitous drop in its stock price and reputation in an accounting scandal that was an epidemic among American companies (such as Enron, WorldCom, Tyco, and Adelphia) during that period. As of October 31, 2006 (taking into account stock splits), IPG's stock was selling at approximately the same price it was on October 31, 1992. According to Mad Money, the stock is expected for a turnaround.

[edit] Some companies bought or owned by Interpublic

Universal McCann Interactive (digital media planning/buying arm of Universal McCann, below)
Universal McCann
The Weber Group, acquired in 1998
Golin Harris International, acquired in 1999
Gotham, Inc
McCann Erickson
Deutsch Inc.
Draft FCB Group (a merger of Draft Worldwide and Foote, Cone & Belding Worldwide)
Lowe Worldwide
Mullen
R/Greenberg Associates
MWW Group
The Martin Agency
MRM Worldwide
Momentum Worldwide
Jack Morton Worldwide
Initiative Worldwide
Hill Holliday