While other holding companies are consolidating agencies, Interpublic Group CEO Michael Roth emphasized the importance of its individual brands on Friday morning’s Q1 earnings call.
“When we say we are a client-centric holding company, it means we support and invest in our agency brands and put collaboration at our core,” he said. “This focus has meant we remain vital in new business, we drive high levels of industry recognition and we are able to attract and retain talent who want to develop their careers with us.”
Roth added that the “best creative ideas come from strong agency brands.”
In Q1, IPG reported 6.4% organic revenue growth to $2 billion. The U.S. saw an organic increase of 5.7%, while international growth was 7.7%. The holding company reported a net loss of $9.5 million, compared with $16.1 million the prior year.
Interpublic’s healthcare agencies include FCB Health Network shops Area 23, FCB Health New York, FCB Cure, Neon and ProHealth; Healix; Hill Holiday Health; McCann Health; Revive Health; and Virgo Health.
In 2018, IPG acquired data-based marketing firm Acxiom. The holding company’s total revenue growth was 13% in the quarter, including revenue from Acxiom, which is “on track with our expectations,” Roth said.
Asked about Publicis’ acquisition of Epsilon, Roth said the rival holding company’s history of integrating agencies “hasn’t exactly been stellar,” and the deal is a way for the company to be more in-line with others in the industry.
This story first appeared on campaignlive.com.
