Press Release

Lynn Fantom Tapped as CEO

New York, December 13, 2001 – ID Media, the industry's largest direct response media services company, was formed today through a joint venture between DraftWorldwide and Initiative Media Worldwide. DraftWorldwide, a company recognized for its strength in direct, promotional and digital marketing, will merge its U.S. media service with IM2, the direct response media operation of global leader Initiative Media. DraftWorldwide, Initiative Media and ID Media are all part of Interpublic's The Partnership group.

“The ID Media joint venture is a great example of The Partnership's ability to achieve collaboration among key agency members to benefit our clients,” commented Interpublic Vice Chairman David Bell, to whom The Partnership companies report.

Led by Chairman and CEO Lynn Fantom, ID Media has $400 million in billings, a combined 25-year history in the direct response media industry, and 150 professionals operating through headquarters in New York and offices in Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Phoenix. Fantom, the former president and CEO of New York-based K2 Digital, brings 20 years of strategic, results-oriented marketing and multi-channel media experience to the venture, including six years with DraftWorldwide as president of New York operations.

“ID Media combines powerful media planning and negotiating skills with superior analytics to achieve the best media investment returns for the brands and agency clients we represent,” said Fantom. “By leveraging our scale and combined investment in industry-leading systems, we can obtain the best rates, achieve the most effective targeting, and utilize real-time tracking to get the greatest R.O.I. media advantage for clients.”

The ID Media name reflects the company's ability to identify and deliver the best media solutions for clients. The combined service offering of ID Media features in-depth multi-channel media strategies, media buying, real-time media tracking, media analytics, and database capabilities for leading brands such as American Express, Verizon, and Johnson & Johnson, among others.

“Working with DraftWorldwide on this venture will allow us to provide the heightened level of media planning, tracking and database consulting expertise that our direct response clients desire,” said Lou Schultz, chairman and CEO of Initiative Media Worldwide and Initiative Media North America.

Added Howard Draft, chairman and CEO of DraftWorldwide, “Initiative Media is an extraordinary leader in the media services industry and, through IM2, offers us dramatically expanded direct response capabilities. I can't think of a better person to deliver on the ID Media brand promise and The Partnership vision than Lynn Fantom. She's a true force in the industry and I am confident she will provide the direction, strategic insight and operational skills necessary for ID Media to drive the future of direct response media.”

The ID Media leadership team also includes Gaye Sussman, head of media services for DraftWorldwide New York, who will serve as president of ID Media, overseeing operations across the United States. Desiree Dumont, former president and chief operating officer of IM2, will consult through the transition period. All other senior DraftWorldwide media and IM2 executives will join ID Media.

The IM2 and DraftWorldwide media teams will consolidate offices in New York to the 18th floor of 919 Third Avenue, effective mid-January 2002. The Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Phoenix operations of ID Media will continue operating in their current office locations.

End Notes:

With offices in 27 countries, billings of more than $3.6 billion and a blue-chip client roster that includes American Express, Burger King, and Kellogg's, DraftWorldwide (www.draftworldwide.com) is one of the industry's leading global integrated marketing agencies.

Initiative Media North America (www.im-na.com) is the country's largest independent media company with 19 offices and 1,500 employees in North America. The company is part of Initiative Media Worldwide, the world's leading media services company, which operates 85 offices in 45 countries on six continents. The company manages the media planning and buying for a wide array of leading companies, including AOL, Bayer Corporation and The Home Depot. Estimated 2001 billings for North America are $12.7 billion and $22.7 for Worldwide.

The Interpublic Group of Companies is one of the world's leading organizations of advertising agencies and marketing services companies. Its four global operating groups are The Partnership, FCB Group, McCann-Erickson WorldGroup, and Advanced Marketing Services. The company's major global brands include DraftWorldwide; Foote, Cone & Belding Worldwide; Golin/Harris International; Initiative Media; Lowe Worldwide; McCann-Erickson; Octagon Worldwide; Universal McCann; and Weber Shandwick. Listed on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol:IPG), Interpublic's restated revenue was $7.2 billion in 2000.

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Contacts:

Patty Kerr
Initiative Media
212.403.6709

Anaka Kobzev
Initiative Media
323.370.8027

Jay Branson
DraftWorldwide
312.397.6593

Stacey Cohen
DraftWorldwide
312.397.7644