The Interpublic Group Stock Price, News & Analysis

Weber Shandwick won the PR Agency of the Year award at the Campaign US Agency of the Year Awards on February 18, 2021. This accolade highlights the agency's impressive performance in overcoming challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic and addressing racial injustice. Joy Farber Kolo, president of Weber Shandwick North America, expressed pride in the team's achievements and expressed gratitude to clients for their trust. The agency has received multiple industry honors recently, including Ad Age Agency A-List and PRWeek awards.

R/GA has launched a global research study titled 'The Power of Brand Relationship Design', revealing transformative findings on enhancing post-purchase customer experiences. Conducted across six categories and nine global markets, the study suggests 60% of customers experience buyer's remorse, while 75% expect seamless interaction across devices. Further, 87% seek personalized recommendations from brands. The report outlines actionable strategies for brands to foster deeper connections with customers, essential for long-term retention. Insights were gathered from nearly 16,000 respondents across diverse regions.

Weber Shandwick announced the appointment of Ciro Sarmiento as the new Chief Creative Officer for its New York office on February 16, 2021. Sarmiento, previously CCO at Dieste, brings over two decades of experience leading integrated campaigns for top brands like Anheuser-Busch and Coca-Cola. His role aims to enhance the agency's earned-first creative strategy, fostering innovation and cultural relevance. Sarmiento's extensive award-winning background includes over 500 honors in global industry competitions. His leadership is expected to strengthen Weber Shandwick’s position in diverse markets.

IPG Mediabrands has appointed Rahel Rasu as the new Global Chief Communications Officer. Rasu, who previously held significant positions at DDB Worldwide and McCann Worldgroup, will report directly to Daryl Lee, the Global CEO. Her role will focus on enhancing internal and external communications, corporate brand management, and social media strategies. This leadership change aims to bolster the agency's voice globally, aligning with its vision of a tech-supported yet humanity-centered media future.

R/GA has appointed Ashish Prashar as its Global Chief Marketing Officer, effective March 2. Prashar, who previously led Global Communications at Publicis Sapient, brings over 15 years of experience in marketing and communications. He will be responsible for R/GA's global marketing strategy, brand management, and corporate communications, and will report directly to CEO Sean Lyons. Ashish is known for his advocacy in justice reform and aims to drive social change while enhancing R/GA’s mission-driven innovation.

Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG) has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.27 per share, representing a 6% increase from the previous $0.255 per share. This dividend is payable on March 15, 2021, to shareholders on record as of March 1, 2021. The hike in dividend underscores the company's commitment to returning value to its investors.

IPG reported a fourth quarter net revenue of $2.28 billion, a 6.1% decrease year-over-year, with organic net revenue down 5.4%. U.S. revenue declined 1.8%, while international markets saw a 10.5% drop. Diluted earnings per share stood at $0.28, adjusted at $0.86. For the full year, net revenue decreased 6.5% and adjusted EBITA before restructuring charges was $1.09 billion, with a margin of 13.5%. A 6% increase in quarterly dividend was approved. CEO Philippe Krakowsky emphasized resilience amid the pandemic.

IPG Mediabrands has released its Media Responsibility Index, highlighting significant improvements in brand safety and media responsibility among leading social platforms. The report shows an average lift of 11 percentage points in adherence to 10 Media Responsibility Principles (MRPs). Notable improvements were observed in principles concerning respect and accountability, as well as in combating hate speech and misinformation. The MRPs have gained endorsement from the 4As and the Global Alliance for Responsible Media, reinforcing the need for standardized practices across the industry.

On February 1, 2021, McCann Health appointed Dr. Dan Carucci as Global Chief Medical Officer. With over 30 years of experience in medicine and public health, Dr. Carucci aims to enhance the agency's medical capabilities and support clients in navigating communications challenges amid evolving healthcare advancements. His past roles include leading significant health initiatives and contributing to vaccine development. McCann Health continues to grow, being recognized as a top healthcare communications network globally, and Dr. Carucci's expertise is expected to bolster its offerings.