Press Release

New York, October 27, 1999 (NYSE:IPG) - Philip H. Geier, Jr., Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, reported that The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. had net income for the third quarter of 1999 of $59 million, an increase of nearly 26% over the net income for the third quarter of 1998 of $47 million. On a diluted basis, earnings per share was $.21 in 1999 versus $.17 in 1998, an increase of 23.5%.

Gross income for the third quarter of 1999 was $1,044 million, an increase of $133 million or 14.7% over 1998. Gross income from United States operations increased 22.7%. Gross income from international operations increased 6.5%. Gross income from international operations would have increased 10.4%, except for strengthening of the U.S. dollar against certain major currencies.

Net income for the nine months of 1999 was $243 million, an increase of 19.7% over the net income for 1998. On a diluted basis, earnings per share was $.86 in 1999 versus $.72 in 1998, an increase of 19.4%.

Gross income for the nine months of 1999 was $3,104 million, an increase of 11.9% from the nine months of 1998. Gross income from United States operations increased 15.8%. Gross income from international operations increased 7.7%. Gross income from international operations would have increased 11.3%, except for the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against certain major currencies.

Interpublic's agency systems gained net new business during the third quarter of 1999 of approximately $417 million of billings, compared with $390 million for the third quarter of 1998, an increase of approximately 7%. During the nine months of 1999, net new business gains were approximately $1,544 million, compared with $1,207 million during the nine months of 1998, an increase of approximately 28%.

Continuing cost containment efforts kept costs at appropriate levels. Mr. Geier noted that the Company's financial condition continues to be excellent, with a strong balance sheet and a solid cash position. The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc., is comprised of McCann-Erickson WorldGroup, Ammirati Puris Lintas, The Lowe Group, Western Initiative Media Worldwide, DraftWorldwide, Allied Communications Group, Octagon, International Public Relations and other related companies.

The shares of The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (IPG); more information about Interpublic is available on the Company's Web site at www.interpublic.com.

THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Summary of Earnings Third Quarter Report 1999 and 1998 (Unaudited) (Dollars in Thousands Except Per Share Data)
			% Favorable
	Three Months Ended September 30,
	1999	1998(a)	(Unfavorable)
Gross Income:
United States	$ 565,041	$ 518,894	22.7
International	$ 478,962	$ 449,905	6.5
Total Gross Income	$ 1,044,003	$ 910,530	14.7
Costs and Expenses	$ 914,821	$ 804,911	(13.7)
Interest Expense	$ 17,478	$ 16,030	(9.0)
Income Before Provision for Income Taxes	$ 111,704	$ 89,589	24.7
Provision for Income Taxes	$ 47,698	$38,603	(23.6)
Net Equity Interests (b)	$ (4,962)	$ 3,999)	(24.1)
Net Income	$ 59,044	$ 46,987	25.7
Per Share Data:
Basic EPS	$ .22	$ .17	29.4
Diluted EPS (c)	$ .21	$ .17	23.5
Dividend per-share	$ .085	$ .075	13.3
Weighted Average Shares: Basic	274,301,278	270,915,168
Diluted	284,743,575	280,464,242
			% Favorable
	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	1999	1998(a)	(Unfavorable)
Gross Income:
United States	$ 1,646,281	$ 1,421,066	15.8
International	$ 1,457,235	$1,352,889	7.7
Total Gross Income	$ 3,103,516	$ 2,773,955	11.9
Costs and Expenses	$ 2,618,122	$ 2,365,428	(10.7)
Interest Expense	$ 47,921	$ 43,394	(10.4)
Income Before Provision for Income Taxes	$ 437,473	$150,767	19.8
Provision for Income Taxes	$ 180,192	$ 112,163	(18.5)
Net Equity Interests (b)	$ (14,043)	$ (11,129)	(26.2)
Net Income	$ 243,238	$ 203,237	19.7
Per Share Data:
Basic EPS	$ .89	$ .75	18.7
Diluted EPS (c)	$ .86	$ .72	19.4
Dividend per-share	$ .245	$ .215	14.0
Weighted Average Shares: Basic	273,565,998	270,908,867
Diluted	284,086,231	281,068,263
(a) All per share data adjusted to reflect 2 for 1 stock split effective July 15, 1999. (b) Net equity interests is the equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates less income attributable to minority interests of consolidated subsidiaries. (c) Includes the addback of restricted stock dividends in 1999 and 1998.