Press Release

New Page 1 --Net Income Up 15% to $171.9 Million --
-- EPS of $.56, Increases by 14% --
-- Worldwide Revenue Up 15%, with 13% Organic Growth --
--Operating Margin Increases to 20.7% --
--Revenue from Specialized Marketing and Communications Services Increases to 47% of Worldwide Revenue --

[All discussions exclude the impact of restructuring and other merger related costs taken in the first six months of 2000. The restructuring and its financial impact are discussed in a separate section of this release. Additionally, all prior data has been restated to reflect the aggregate effect of NFO Worldwide, Inc. and several other acquisitions accounted for as poolings of interests.

New York, July 26, 2000 (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 second quarter of 2000 of $171.9 million, an increase of 15% over the net income for the second quarter of 1999 of $150.0 million.

On a diluted basis, earnings per share for the second quarter of 2000 were $0.56, versus $0.49 in the second quarter of 1999, an increase of 14%.

Worldwide revenue for the second quarter of 2000 was $1.4 billion, an increase of $187 million or 15% over the same period in 1999. Revenue from domestic operations increased 20%, and revenue from international operations increased 10% compared to the second quarter of 1999. Revenue from international operations would have increased 16% excluding the effect of the strengthening of the U.S. dollar. Exclusive of acquisitions, worldwide revenue on a constant dollar basis increased 13% for the second quarter of 2000.

Income from operations for the second quarter of 2000 was $294 million, or 17% over the same period in 1999. Amortization of goodwill was $21.8 million for the second quarter of 2000 compared to $16.8 million for the second quarter of 1999. Exclusive of acquisitions, foreign exchange fluctuations and amortization of goodwill, income from operations increased 17% for the second quarter of 2000 compared to the second quarter of 1999.

Mr. Geier noted that the Company's financial condition continues to be excellent. The Company's operating margin has increased to 20.7% of revenue, compared to 20.4% for the second quarter of 1999. Strong revenue growth from new business and continued cost containment efforts have resulted in this margin improvement.

Net income for the first six months of 2000 was $230 million, an increase of 16% over the net income for 1999. On a diluted basis, earnings per share was $0.75 in 2000 versus $0.66 in 1999, an increase of 14%.

Worldwide revenue for the first six months of 2000 was $2.6 billion, an increase of 16% from the first six months of 1999. Revenue from domestic operations increased 23%, and revenue from international operations increased 9.0%. Revenue from international operations would have increased 14% excluding the effect of the strengthening of the U.S. dollar. Exclusive of acquisitions, worldwide revenue, on a constant dollar basis, increased 13% for the first six months of 2000.

Income from operations for the first six months of 2000 was $405 million, or 18% over the same period in 1999. Amortization of goodwill was $43 million for the first six months of 2000 compared to $31 million for the first six months of 1999. Exclusive of acquisitions, foreign exchange fluctuations and amortization of goodwill, income from operations increased 18% for the first six months of 2000 compared to the first six months of 1999.

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Restructuring and Other Merger Related Costs
For the second quarter, the Company recognized a total of $52.8 million in pre-tax restructuring and other merger related costs ($35.0 million after tax), principally related to Lowe Lintas & Partners and the non-recurring NFO transaction costs. As previously disclosed, the Company completed its acquisition of NFO Worldwide Inc. on April 20, 2000.

Substantially all of the restructuring activities related to Lowe Lintas & Partners Worldwide have been completed except for some real estate and other actions which principally relate to Germany and which were taken after June 30, 2000. The Company recognized $38.4 million of pre-tax restructuring costs in the second quarter of 2000. The Company expects the total pre-tax costs to complete the restructuring of Lowe Lintas to be well within the range originally forecasted.

Restructuring and other merger related costs in the second quarter of 2000 included non-recurring transaction costs (principally professional fees) related to the recently completed merger with NFO.

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Interpublic's agency systems gained net new business in the second quarter of 2000 of approximately $900 million compared with the second quarter of 1999 net new business gains of $526 million, an increase of 71%. For the first six months of 2000, net new business gains were approximately $1,602 million compared with $1,127 million for the first six months of 1999, an increase of 42%.

For the second quarter of 2000, revenue from specialized marketing and communications services comprised 47% of total worldwide revenue, compared to 44% in the second quarter of 1999. For the first six months of 2000, revenue from specialized marketing and communication services comprised 47% of total worldwide revenue, compared to 44% for the first six months of 1999, and is expected to exceed 50% of total revenue for the last six months of 2000.

During the second quarter of 2000, in addition to NFO, the Company completed the acquisition of substantial assets of the Communications Division of Caribiner International, Inc. and several other smaller deals. With these recent acquisitions, the Company now ranks in the top two among its peers in each of its core disciplines and number one in the majority of these: advertising, media buying, market research, relationship (direct) marketing, sales promotion, public relations, sports and event marketing, healthcare marketing and e-business consulting and communications.

The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. is one of the largest organizations of advertising agencies and marketing service companies. Its companies include McCann-Erickson WorldGroup, The Lowe Group, DraftWorldwide, Initiative Media Worldwide, Octagon, Zentropy Partners, NFO Worldwide, The Allied Communications Group 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: www.interpublic.com.

CONTACTS:

Sean Orr - 212-399-8093 Thomas J. Volpe - 212-399-8056

THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED SUMMARY OF EARNINGS
SECOND QUARTER REPORT 2000 AND 1999
(UNAUDITED) (Amounts in Thousands Except Per Share Data)

	Three Months Ended June 30			Post-Restr. %Favorable (Unfavorable)	Pre-Restr. %Favorable (Unfavorable)
	2000 Post- Restructuring	2000 Pre- Restructuring	1999
Revenue:
United States	$ 749,792	$ 749,792	$ 624,080	20.1	20.1
International	$ 668,400	$ 668,400	$ 607,033	10.1	10.1
Total Revenue	$1,418,192	$1,418,192	$1,231,113	15.2	15.2
Operating Costs	$1,124,685	$1,124,685	$ 979,470	(14.8)	(14.8)
Restructuring and other Merger Related Costs	$ 52,775	$____ -	$____ -	N/A	N/A
Income from Operations	$ 240,732	$ 293,507	$ 251,643	(4.3)	16.6
Interest Expense	$ (22,039)	$ (22,039)	$ (20,559)	(7.2)	(7.2)
Other Income, Net	$ 29,105	$ 29,105	$ 29,115	-	-
Income Before Provision for Income Taxes	$ 247,798	$ 300,573	$ 260,199	(4.8)	15.5
Provision for Income Taxes	$ 105,065	$ 122,801	$ 103,989	(1.0)	(18.1)
Net Equity Interests(a)	$ (5,894)	$ (5,894)	$ (6,203)	5.0	5.0
Net Income	$ 136,839	$ 171,878	$ 150,007	(8.8)	14.6
Per Share Data:
Basic E.P.S.	$ 0.46	$ 0.58	$ 0.51	(9.8)	13.7
Diluted E.P.S. (b)	$ 0.45	$ 0.56	$ 0.49	(8.2)	14.3
Dividend per share - Interpublic(b)	$ 0.095	$ 0.095	$ 0.085	11.8	11.8
Weighted Average Shares:
Basic	$294,438	$294,438	292,201
Diluted	317,236	317,236	311,456
	Six Months Ended June 30
				Post-Restr. %Favorable (Unfavorable)	Pre-Rest. %Favorable (Unfavorable)
	2000 Post- Restructuring	2000 Pre- Restructuring	1999
Revenue:
United States	$1,421,750	$1,421,750	$1,157,860	22.8	22.8
International	$1,194,653	$1,194,653	$1,095,687	9.0	9.0
Total Revenue	$2,616,403	$2,616,403	$2,253,547	16.1	16.1
Operating Costs	$2,211,432	$2,211,432	$1,910,497	(15.8)	(15.8)
Restructuring and other Merger Related Costs	$ 88,826	$ -	$ -	N/A	N/A
Income from Operations	$316,145	404,971	343,050	(7.8)	18.1
Interest Expense	$ (42,416)	$ (42,416)	$ (38,012)	(11.6)	(11.6)
Other Income, Net	$ 45,901	$ 45,901	$ 41,837	9.7	9.7
Income Before Provision for Income Taxes	$ 319,630	$ 408,456	$ 346,875	(7.9)	17.8
Provision for Income Taxes	$ 135,947	$ 169,002	$ 139,567	2.6	(21.1)
Net Equity Interests (a)	$ (9,551)	$ (9,551)	$ (8,589)	(11.2)	(11.2)
Net Income	$ 174,132	$ 229,903	$ 198,719	(12.4)	15.7
Per Share Data:
Basic E.P.S.	$ 0.59	$ 0.78	$ 0.68	(13.2)	14.7
Diluted E.P.S.(c)	$ 0.57	$ 0.75	$ 0.66	(13.6)	13.6
Dividend per share - Interpublic	$ 0.095	$ 0.095	$ 0.085	11.8	11.8
Weighted Average Shares:
Basic	294,168	294,168	291,366
Diluted	304,390	311,083	308,903

(a)Net equity interests is the net of equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates less income attributable to minority interests of consolidated subsidiaries.
(b)2000 and 1999 include the addback of restricted stock dividends and the assumed conversion of the 1.80% and 1.87% Convertible Subordinated Notes.
(c)2000 Post-Restructuring includes the addback of restricted stock dividends. 2000 Pre-Restructuring and 1999 include the addback of restricted stock dividends and the assumed conversion of the 1.80% Convertible Subordinated Notes.
All prior data has been restated to reflect the aggregate effect of NFO Worldwide, Inc. and several other acquisitions accounted for as poolings of interests.