ASIANET: Interpublic Refocuses P.R. Brands Around Global Practice Growth Opportunities

Weber Shandwick Worldwide Rises to No. 1 in U.S., World; An Expanded 'Blue

Chip to New Chip(SM)' Reputation Advocate

Golin-Harris Expands Expertise

With Added Global Geography and Capabilities

NEW YORK, Sept. 19 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ -- John Dooner, President and COO of The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (NYSE: IPG), announced today that Interpublic will realign its public relations operations into two worldwide brands to better serve clients' increasing need for specialized practice and industry knowledge delivered worldwide. The two global public relations networks are being created by consolidating complementary offices and practices from what had been Interpublic's three major brands: Golin/Harris International, Shandwick International and Weber Public Relations Worldwide.

Effective Jan. 1, 2001, Interpublic will combine the technology practice of Weber Public Relations Worldwide (WPRW) with Shandwick International to create a leadership position in key high growth practice areas, including technology, public affairs and lifestyle/entertainment. The new entity, which will be called Weber Shandwick Worldwide, creates the largest global and U.S. P.R. agency. Golin/Harris International will immediately expand its global presence and practice expertise with the transition of 14 Weber offices in the U.S., Europe and Asia.

"The public relations field is being dramatically reshaped by the globalization of the economy, new developments in communications technology and the increasing need for specialized services," said John Dooner. "Given Interpublic's commitment to build the best in global communications resources in all marketing services sectors, we saw a clear opportunity to create two full service networks that are well-positioned to take advantage of these industry trends in every single region of the world."

Interpublic's public relations companies are part of its Allied Communications Group of marketing services companies. Larry Weber, Chairman and CEO of Allied, said: "A few months ago, John asked me to look at IPG's public relations brands with an eye to better serving our clients as they re-invent themselves to compete in today's economy. The creation of two global brands with strong industry and practice strengths, enabled by technology-driven PR applications, naturally emerged as the core of that vision. We now can provide clients with a choice of partners that are uniquely qualified to meet the needs of today's business organizations. The new agency combines the 'blue chip to new chip(SM)' perspective of The Weber Group with the corporate reputation experience and effective global capability of Shandwick, and now Golin/Harris offers its trust-based branding expertise globally across all practice areas, with plans for further expansion."

Weber Shandwick Worldwide Ranks Top in Key Practice Areas Headquartered in New York, the firm will be led by a management team bringing together both Shandwick and Weber executives. Larry Weber, Chairman and CEO of IPG's Allied Communications Group, will be CEO of Weber Shandwick Worldwide. Scott Meyer will serve as Chairman, reporting to Larry Weber.

Marijean Lauzier has been appointed President and Chief Operating Officer,reporting to Larry Weber. William Davies will serve as Chief Financial Officer, reporting to Marijean Lauzier. During the next 100 days, a senior management-led transition team will be reviewing all operations and developing a comprehensive integration plan.

With 1999 worldwide revenue of almost U.S.$300 million and 2500 employees in 68 offices in 22 countries, Weber Shandwick Worldwide will be the world's largest agency, according to the Council of Public Relations Firms' 1999 industry rankings. The firm will also be No. 1 among all agencies in two key practice areas -- public affairs and technology. The public affairs practice of the new firm will operate under The Cassidy Companies, Inc. name. CEO Gerry Cassidy is charged with expanding the scope and reach of the public affairs practice.

At its inception, Weber Shandwick Worldwide will represent global brands such as Dun & Bradstreet, Eastman Kodak, General Motors e-GM, Hewlett-Packard, Hitachi, Microsoft, Monster.com, Northwest Airlines, and Verizon Wireless.

Golin/Harris Expansion Delivers Specialty Practice Expertise Worldwide

With the transition, Golin/Harris expands its global presence to 24 cities and gains additional strength in several fast growing practices, including technology, public affairs and financial communications/investor relations. Public affairs specialist Weber McGinn, technology specialists TSI Communications and Mindstorm Communications, and creative services group Ovation Studios will become part of Golin/Harris effective immediately. Golin/Harris also gains European and Asian presence with the addition of offices in Taiwan and Germany. As previously announced, Ludgate Communications New York, Ludgate Communications London and B&L Ludgate in Frankfurt have already merged with Golin/Harris.

Golin/Harris International, headquartered in Chicago, will continue to be led by Chairman Al Golin and CEO Rich Jernstedt and President Dave Gilbert. With combined fee income of U.S.$114 million, Golin/Harris International will rise to become the 8th largest public relations firm in the U.S. and 11th largest globally, according to the Council of Public Relation Firms' 1999 industry rankings.

The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc., includes, in addition to the Allied Communications Group, McCann-Erickson WorldGroup, The Lowe Group, DraftWorldwide, Initiative Media Worldwide, Octagon, Zentropy Partners, NFO Worldwide and other related companies. The shares of The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. are listed on the New York Stock Exchange ("IPG").

For further information, visit: http://www.Interpublic.com.

SOURCE: Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc.

CONTACT: Stewart Alter, 212-984-3936, or Rebecca Oddsund, 617-520-7009, both for The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc./

Web site: http://www.interpublic.com/ (IPG)

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