Document


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
_______________________

 
FORM 8-K

_______________________


CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): February 14, 2018
 
The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
 Delaware
1-6686
13-1024020
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
(Commission File
Number)
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
 
909 Third Avenue, New York, New York
10022
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
 
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 212-704-1200
 
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)


 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
  
o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
 
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
 
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company o

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o







Item 2.02.  Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
 
On February 14, 2018, The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (i) issued a press release, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by reference herein, announcing its results for the full year and fourth quarter 2017, (ii) held a conference call to discuss the foregoing results, on which prepared remarks were delivered, a copy of which are attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2 and incorporated by reference herein, and (iii) posted an investor presentation, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.3 and incorporated by reference herein, on its website in connection with the conference call.
 
Item 9.01.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.
 
Exhibit 99.1:  Press release dated February 14, 2018 (furnished pursuant to Item 2.02)

Exhibit 99.2: Conference call prepared remarks dated February 14, 2018 (furnished pursuant to Item 2.02)

Exhibit 99.3:  Investor presentation dated February 14, 2018 (furnished pursuant to Item 2.02)









SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
 
THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC.
Date: February 14, 2018
By:        /s/ Andrew Bonzani                           
 
Name:   Andrew Bonzani
Title:     Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary



Exhibit
Exhibit 99.1

https://cdn.kscope.io/517c91fb192e5d31a28819c9ffce2c2f-ipglogo61617a02.jpg

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
New York, NY (February 14, 2018)

Interpublic Announces Full Year and
Fourth Quarter 2017 Results

Company posted Q4 2017 revenue of $2.34 billion, with organic revenue growth of 3.3%
FY17 revenue of $7.88 billion, with organic revenue growth of 1.8%
Operating margin expanded to 12.4% for FY17, an increase of 40 basis points from FY16
FY17 diluted EPS was $1.46, and was $1.41 adjusted for sales of businesses and tax items
Board approves 17% increase in quarterly dividend and an additional $300 million toward share repurchase program

Summary

Revenue
Fourth quarter 2017 revenue was $2.34 billion, compared to $2.26 billion in the fourth quarter of 2016, with an organic revenue increase of 3.3% compared to the prior-year period. This was comprised of an organic revenue increase of 3.7% in the U.S. and 2.9% internationally. Excluding the impact of higher pass-through revenues, the organic revenue increase would have been 2.5% both in the U.S. and internationally.
Full year 2017 revenue was $7.88 billion, compared to $7.85 billion in 2016, with an organic revenue increase of 1.8% compared to the prior-year period. This was comprised of an organic revenue increase of 2.2% in the U.S. and 1.2% internationally. Excluding the impact of the change in pass-through revenues, the organic revenue increase would have been 2.0% in the U.S. and 1.6% internationally.
Pass-through revenues are offset dollar-for-dollar in operating expenses. As a result, changes in pass-through revenues do not change operating profit.

Operating Results
Operating income in the fourth quarter of 2017 was $518.3 million, compared to $485.7 million in 2016. Operating margin was 22.1% for the fourth quarter of 2017, compared to 21.4% for the fourth quarter of 2016.



For the full year 2017, operating income was $973.6 million, compared to $941.0 million in 2016. Operating margin was 12.4% for the full year 2017, compared to 12.0% for the full year 2016.

Net Results
Fourth quarter 2017 net income available to IPG common stockholders was $316.6 million, resulting in earnings of $0.82 per basic share and $0.81 per diluted share, and $0.79 per diluted share as adjusted for certain below-the-line and tax items. This compares to net income available to IPG common stockholders of $317.6 million, or $0.81 per basic share and $0.78 per diluted share a year ago, and $0.75 per diluted share as adjusted.
Full year 2017 net income available to IPG common stockholders was $579.0 million, resulting in earnings of $1.49 per basic share and $1.46 per diluted share, and $1.41 per diluted share as adjusted for certain below-the-line and tax items. This compares to net income available to IPG common stockholders of $608.5 million, resulting in earnings of $1.53 per basic share and $1.49 per diluted share, and $1.39 per diluted share as adjusted.
Fourth quarter and full year 2017 net income available to IPG common stockholders included pre-tax net losses of $3.2 million and $24.1 million, respectively, on sales of businesses in "Other expense, net" and a net benefit of $36.0 million as a result of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which was primarily comprised of a benefit from the remeasurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities, partially offset by a charge on the deemed repatriation of unremitted foreign earnings. Fourth quarter 2017 also included a reversal of the $31.2 million tax benefit we recorded during the third quarter of 2017 related to foreign tax credits as a result of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Excluding these items, our diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter and full year 2017 would have been $0.79 and $1.41, respectively. Adjusted diluted earnings per share were $0.75 and $1.39 in the respective prior-year periods. Refer to reconciliations in the back for more detail.

“We are pleased to report fourth quarter performance highlighted by stronger organic growth and margin expansion, as well as full-year financial results that deliver on our updated targets. These accomplishments are a testament to the talent and dedication of our people around the world and the work we do to help clients win in the marketplace,” said Michael I. Roth, Interpublic’s Chairman and CEO. “Along with these positive results, our Board of Directors has raised IPG’s quarterly dividend by a further 17% and increased our authorization for share repurchase by an additional $300 million. These actions reflect our continuing operating success and financial strength, as well as confidence in our future prospects. Looking ahead to 2018, we are targeting organic revenue growth in the range of 2% to 3% and operating margin expansion of 20 basis points over the results we are reporting today, which will build on our

Interpublic Group 909 Third Avenue New York, NY 10022 212-704-1200 tel 212-704-1201 fax

2



strong long-term record of improving profitability. At this level of margin expansion, we will continue to invest behind our talent and in key areas such as digital, data, and analytics, which are vital to positioning us for success this year and for the long-term.”

Operating Results

Revenue
Revenue of $2.34 billion in the fourth quarter of 2017 increased 3.4% compared with the same period in 2016. During the fourth quarter of 2017, the effect of foreign currency translation was positive 1.2%, the impact of net divestitures was negative 1.1%, and the resulting organic revenue increase was 3.3%. Excluding the impact of higher pass-through revenues, the organic revenue increase would have been 2.5%.

Revenue of $7.88 billion for the full year 2017 increased 0.5% compared to 2016. During the full year 2017, there was minimal impact from foreign currency translation, the impact of net divestitures was negative 1.3%, and the resulting organic revenue increase was 1.8%. Excluding the impact of the change in pass-through revenues, the organic revenue increase would have been 1.9%.

Operating Expenses
During the fourth quarter of 2017, salaries and related expenses were $1.33 billion, up 1.3% compared to the same period in 2016. After adjusting for currency effects and the impact of net divestitures, salaries and related expenses increased 0.9% organically.

For the full year 2017, salaries and related expenses were $5.07 billion, up 0.7% compared to 2016. After adjusting for currency effects and the impact of net divestitures, salaries and related expenses increased 2.0% organically.

During the fourth quarter of 2017, office and general expenses were $496.9 million, up 5.7% compared to the same period in 2016. After adjusting for currency effects and the impact of net divestitures, office and general expenses increased 5.8% organically.

For the full year 2017, office and general expenses were $1.84 billion, down 1.6% compared to 2016. After adjusting for currency effects and the impact of net divestitures, office and general expenses increased 0.5% organically.

Non-Operating Results and Tax
In the fourth quarter of 2017, net interest expense remained constant at $17.8 million compared to the same period in 2016. For the full year 2017, net interest expense of $71.4 million increased by $0.9 million compared to 2016.

Interpublic Group 909 Third Avenue New York, NY 10022 212-704-1200 tel 212-704-1201 fax

3




Other expense, net was $1.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2017, and was $26.2 million for the full year 2017, primarily due to losses recorded on sales of businesses.

The income tax provision in the fourth quarter of 2017 was $166.1 million on income before income taxes of $498.8 million, compared to a provision of $106.1 million on income before income taxes of $441.1 million in the same period in 2016. The income tax provision for the full year 2017 was $281.9 million on income before income taxes of $876.0 million, compared to a provision of $198.0 million on income before income taxes of $830.2 million in 2016.

The effective tax rate for the fourth quarter of 2017 was 33.3% compared to 24.1% for the same period in 2016. Excluding the impact of the losses on sales of businesses as well as the various tax items discussed above, the effective tax rate for the fourth quarter of 2017 was 35.2% compared to 31.2% in 2016. The effective tax rate for the full year 2017 was 32.2% compared to 23.8% in 2016. Excluding the impact of the losses on sales of businesses as well as the various tax items discussed above, the effective tax rate for the full year 2017 was 36.1% compared to 32.2% in 2016.

Balance Sheet
At December 31, 2017, cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled $791.0 million, compared to $1.10 billion at December 31, 2016. Total debt was $1.37 billion at December 31, 2017, compared to $1.69 billion at December 31, 2016.

Share Repurchase Program and Common Stock Dividend
During the fourth quarter of 2017, the company repurchased 4.2 million shares of its common stock at an aggregate cost of $84.1 million and an average price of $19.85 per share. For the full year 2017, the company repurchased 13.7 million shares of its common stock at an aggregate cost of $300.1 million and an average price of $21.97 per share.

Interpublic's Board of Directors authorized a new program to repurchase, from time to time, up to $300 million of the company's common stock. The new share repurchase program, which is in addition to any amounts remaining for repurchase under the program announced in 2017, will take effect immediately and has no expiration date.

During the fourth quarter of 2017, the company declared and paid a common stock cash dividend of $0.18 per share, for a total of $69.1 million. During 2017, the company paid four quarterly cash dividends of $0.18 per share on our common stock, which corresponded to aggregate dividend payments of $280.3 million for the full year.


Interpublic Group 909 Third Avenue New York, NY 10022 212-704-1200 tel 212-704-1201 fax

4



The company also announced that its Board of Directors has declared a common stock cash dividend of $0.21 per share, payable quarterly to holders of record on an ongoing basis.

For further information regarding the company's financial results as well as certain non-GAAP measures and the reconciliation thereof, please refer to pages 20 and 21 of the earnings materials filed on Form 8-K here with and available on our website, www.interpublic.com.

# # #

About Interpublic
Interpublic is one of the world's leading organizations of advertising agencies and marketing services companies. Major global brands include Craft, FCB (Foote, Cone & Belding), FutureBrand, Golin, Huge, Initiative, Jack Morton Worldwide, MAGNA, McCann, Momentum, MRM//McCann, MullenLowe Group, Octagon, R/GA, UM and Weber Shandwick. Other leading brands include Avrett Free Ginsberg, Campbell Ewald, Carmichael Lynch, Deutsch, Hill Holliday, ID Media and The Martin Agency. For more information, please visit www.interpublic.com.

# # #

Contact Information
Tom Cunningham
(Press)
(212) 704-1326

Jerry Leshne
(Analysts, Investors)
(212) 704-1439


Interpublic Group 909 Third Avenue New York, NY 10022 212-704-1200 tel 212-704-1201 fax

5



Cautionary Statement

This release contains forward-looking statements. Statements in this release that are not historical facts, including statements about management's beliefs and expectations, constitute forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current plans, estimates and projections, and are subject to change based on a number of factors, including those outlined under Item 1A, Risk Factors, in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update publicly any of them in light of new information or future events.

Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

potential effects of a challenging economy, for example, on the demand for our advertising and marketing services, on our clients' financial condition and on our business or financial condition;
our ability to attract new clients and retain existing clients;
our ability to retain and attract key employees;
risks associated with assumptions we make in connection with our critical accounting estimates, including changes in assumptions associated with any effects of a weakened economy;
potential adverse effects if we are required to recognize impairment charges or other adverse accounting-related developments;
risks associated with the effects of global, national and regional economic and political conditions, including counterparty risks and fluctuations in economic growth rates, interest rates and currency exchange rates; and
developments from changes in the regulatory and legal environment for advertising and marketing and communications services companies around the world.

Investors should carefully consider these factors and the additional risk factors outlined in more detail under Item 1A, Risk Factors, in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Interpublic Group 909 Third Avenue New York, NY 10022 212-704-1200 tel 212-704-1201 fax

6



THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED SUMMARY OF EARNINGS
FOURTH QUARTER REPORT 2017 AND 2016
(Amounts in Millions except Per Share Data)
(UNAUDITED)
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
Fav. (Unfav.)
% Variance
Revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States
$
1,286.0

 
$
1,258.6

 
2.2
 %
 
International
1,055.0

 
1,005.9

 
4.9
 %
Total Revenue
2,341.0

 
2,264.5

 
3.4
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries and Related Expenses
1,325.8

 
1,308.8

 
(1.3
)%
 
Office and General Expenses
496.9

 
470.0

 
(5.7
)%
Total Operating Expenses
1,822.7

 
1,778.8

 
(2.5
)%
Operating Income
518.3

 
485.7

 
6.7
 %
Operating Margin %
22.1
%
 
21.4
%
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
Expenses and Other Income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Expense
(23.2
)
 
(21.8
)
 
 
 
Interest Income
5.4

 
4.0

 
 
 
Other Expense, net
(1.7
)
 
(26.8
)
 
 
Total (Expenses) and Other Income
(19.5
)
 
(44.6
)
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
Income before Income Taxes
498.8

 
441.1

 
 
Provision for Income Taxes
166.1

 
106.1

 
 
Income of Consolidated Companies
332.7

 
335.0

 
 
 
Equity in Net Income of Unconsolidated Affiliates
0.8

 
1.9

 
 
Net Income
333.5

 
336.9

 
 
 
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
(16.9
)
 
(19.3
)
 
 
Net Income Available to IPG Common Stockholders
$
316.6

 
$
317.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings Per Share Available to IPG Common Stockholders:
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.82

 
$
0.81

 
 
Diluted
$
0.81

 
$
0.78

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
385.1

 
393.5

 
 
Diluted
393.2

 
405.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends Declared Per Common Share
$
0.18

 
$
0.15

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Interpublic Group 909 Third Avenue New York, NY 10022 212-704-1200 tel 212-704-1201 fax

7



THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED SUMMARY OF EARNINGS
ANNUAL REPORT 2017 AND 2016
(Amounts in Millions except Per Share Data)
(UNAUDITED)
 
 
 
 
 
Twelve months ended December 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
Fav. (Unfav.)
% Variance
Revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States
$
4,714.3

 
$
4,684.8

 
0.6
 %
 
International
3,168.1

 
3,161.8

 
0.2
 %
Total Revenue
7,882.4

 
7,846.6

 
0.5
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries and Related Expenses
5,068.1

 
5,035.1

 
(0.7
)%
 
Office and General Expenses
1,840.7

 
1,870.5

 
1.6
 %
Total Operating Expenses
6,908.8

 
6,905.6

 
(0.0
)%
Operating Income
973.6

 
941.0

 
3.5
 %
Operating Margin %
12.4
%
 
12.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expenses and Other Income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Expense
(90.8
)
 
(90.6
)
 
 
 
Interest Income
19.4

 
20.1

 
 
 
Other Expense, net
(26.2
)
 
(40.3
)
 
 
Total (Expenses) and Other Income
(97.6
)
 
(110.8
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income before Income Taxes
876.0

 
830.2

 
 
Provision for Income Taxes
281.9

 
198.0

 
 
Income of Consolidated Companies
594.1

 
632.2

 
 
 
Equity in Net Income of Unconsolidated Affiliates
0.9

 
0.3

 
 
Net Income
595.0

 
632.5

 
 
 
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
(16.0
)
 
(24.0
)
 
 
Net Income Attributable to IPG Common Stockholders
$
579.0

 
$
608.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings Per Share Available to IPG Common Stockholders:
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
1.49

 
$
1.53

 
 
Diluted
$
1.46

 
$
1.49

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
389.6

 
397.9

 
 
Diluted
397.3

 
408.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends Declared Per Common Share
$
0.72

 
$
0.60

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



Interpublic Group 909 Third Avenue New York, NY 10022 212-704-1200 tel 212-704-1201 fax

8



THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED NON-GAAP RESULTS
(Amounts in Millions except Per Share Data)
(UNAUDITED)
 
 
 
Three Months Ended December 31, 2017
 
As Reported
 
Net Losses on Sales of Businesses 1
 
U.S. Federal Tax Credits
 
Net Impact of U.S. Tax Reform
 
Adjusted Results
Income Before Income Taxes
$
498.8

 
$
(3.2
)
 
 
 
 
 
$
502.0

Provision for Income Taxes
166.1

 
5.7

 
$
(31.2
)
 
$
36.0

 
176.6

   Effective Tax Rate
33.3
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
35.2
%
Equity in Net Income of Unconsolidated Affiliates
0.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
0.8

Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
(16.9
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(16.9
)
Net Income Available to IPG Common Stockholders
$
316.6

 
$
2.5

 
$
(31.2
)
 
$
36.0

 
$
309.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding - Basic
385.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
385.1

Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted shares
8.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8.1

Weighted-Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding - Diluted
393.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
393.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings Per Share Available to IPG Common Stockholders:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Basic
$
0.82

 
$
0.01

 
$
(0.08
)
 
$
0.09

 
$
0.80

  Diluted
$
0.81

 
$
0.01

 
$
(0.08
)
 
$
0.09

 
$
0.79

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 Includes losses on completed dispositions of businesses and the classification of certain assets as held for sale.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note: Management believes the resulting comparisons provide useful supplemental data that, while not a substitute for GAAP measures, allow for greater transparency in the review of our financial and operational performance.


Interpublic Group 909 Third Avenue New York, NY 10022 212-704-1200 tel 212-704-1201 fax

9



THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED NON-GAAP RESULTS
(Amounts in Millions except Per Share Data)
(UNAUDITED)
 
 
 
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2017
 
As Reported
 
Net Losses on Sales of Businesses 1
 
Net Impact of U.S. Tax Reform
 
Adjusted Results
Income Before Income Taxes
$
876.0

 
$
(24.1
)
 
 
 
$
900.1

Provision for Income Taxes
281.9

 
7.4

 
$
36.0

 
325.3

   Effective Tax Rate
32.2
%
 
 
 
 
 
36.1
%
Equity in Net Income of Unconsolidated Affiliates
0.9

 
 
 
 
 
0.9

Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
(16.0
)
 
 
 
 
 
(16.0
)
Net Income Available to IPG Common Stockholders
$
579.0

 
$
(16.7
)
 
$
36.0

 
$
559.7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding - Basic
389.6

 
 
 
 
 
389.6

Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted shares
7.7

 
 
 
 
 
7.7

Weighted-Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding - Diluted
397.3

 
 
 
 
 
397.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings Per Share Available to IPG Common Stockholders:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Basic
$
1.49

 
$
(0.04
)
 
$
0.09

 
$
1.44

  Diluted
$
1.46

 
$
(0.04
)
 
$
0.09

 
$
1.41

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 Includes losses on completed dispositions of businesses and the classification of certain assets as held for sale.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note: Management believes the resulting comparisons provide useful supplemental data that, while not a substitute for GAAP measures, allow for greater transparency in the review of our financial and operational performance.



Interpublic Group 909 Third Avenue New York, NY 10022 212-704-1200 tel 212-704-1201 fax

10



THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED NON-GAAP RESULTS
(Amounts in Millions except Per Share Data)
(UNAUDITED)
 
 
 
Three Months Ended December 31, 2016
 
As Reported
 
Net Losses on Sales of Businesses
 
U.S. Federal Tax Credits
 
Adjusted Results 1
Income Before Income Taxes
$
441.1

 
$
(25.3
)
 
 
 
$
466.4

Provision for Income Taxes
106.1

 
2.0

 
$
37.4

 
145.5

   Effective Tax Rate
24.1
%
 
 
 
 
 
31.2
%
Equity in Net Income of Unconsolidated Affiliates
1.9

 
 
 
 
 
1.9

Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
(19.3
)
 
 
 
 
 
(19.3
)
Net Income Available to IPG Common Stockholders
$
317.6

 
$
(23.3
)
 
$
37.4

 
$
303.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding - Basic
393.5

 
 
 
 
 
393.5

Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted shares
11.7

 
 
 
 
 
11.7

Weighted-Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding - Diluted
405.2

 
 
 
 
 
405.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings Per Share Available to IPG Common Stockholders:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Basic
$
0.81

 
$
(0.06
)
 
$
0.10

 
$
0.77

  Diluted
$
0.78

 
$
(0.06
)
 
$
0.09

 
$
0.75

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 The effect of the adoption of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Update 2016-09, which was previously included in this table in 2016, has now been removed as the effect of the adoption is reflected in both periods.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note: Management believes the resulting comparisons provide useful supplemental data that, while not a substitute for GAAP measures, allow for greater transparency in the review of our financial and operational performance.


Interpublic Group 909 Third Avenue New York, NY 10022 212-704-1200 tel 212-704-1201 fax

11



THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED NON-GAAP RESULTS
(Amounts in Millions except Per Share Data)
(UNAUDITED)
 
 
 
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2016
 
As Reported
 
Net Losses on Sales of Businesses
 
Valuation Allowance Reversals
 
Settlement of Certain Tax Positions
 
U.S. Federal Tax Credits
 
Adjusted Results 1
Income Before Income Taxes
$
830.2

 
$
(41.4
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
871.6

Provision for Income Taxes
198.0

 
2.4

 
$
12.2

 
$
23.4

 
$
44.6

 
280.6

   Effective Tax Rate
23.8
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
32.2
%
Equity in Net Income of Unconsolidated Affiliates
0.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
0.3

Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
(24.0
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(24.0
)
Net Income Available to IPG Common Stockholders
$
608.5

 
$
(39.0
)
 
$
12.2

 
$
23.4

 
$
44.6

 
$
567.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding - Basic
397.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
397.9

Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted shares
10.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.1

Weighted-Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding - Diluted
408.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
408.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings Per Share Available to IPG Common Stockholders:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Basic
$
1.53

 
$
(0.10
)
 
$
0.03

 
$
0.06

 
$
0.11

 
$
1.43

  Diluted
$
1.49

 
$
(0.10
)
 
$
0.03

 
$
0.06

 
$
0.11

 
$
1.39

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 The effect of the adoption of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Update 2016-09, which was previously included in this table in 2016, has now been removed as the effect of the adoption is reflected in both periods.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note: Management believes the resulting comparisons provide useful supplemental data that, while not a substitute for GAAP measures, allow for greater transparency in the review of our financial and operational performance.





Interpublic Group 909 Third Avenue New York, NY 10022 212-704-1200 tel 212-704-1201 fax

12

Exhibit
Exhibit 99.2


On February 14, 2018, The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. held a conference call to discuss its fourth quarter and full year 2017 results. Chief Executive Officer Michael Roth and Chief Financial Officer Frank Mergenthaler delivered prepared remarks.


IPG CALL PARTICIPANTS

Michael Roth
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

Frank Mergenthaler
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Jerry Leshne
Senior Vice President, Investor Relations











COMPANY PRESENTATION AND REMARKS
Jerry Leshne, Senior Vice President, Investor Relations:
Good morning. Thank you for joining us.
We have posted our earnings release and our slide presentation on our website, interpublic.com. This morning we are joined by Michael Roth and Frank Mergenthaler. We will begin with prepared remarks, to be followed by Q&A. We plan to conclude before market open at 9:30 Eastern time.
During this call, we will refer to forward-looking statements about our Company. These are subject to the uncertainties in the cautionary statement that is included in our earnings release and the slide presentation, and further detailed in our 10-K and other filings with the SEC. We will also refer to certain non-GAAP measures. We believe that these measures provide useful supplemental data that, while not a substitute for GAAP measures, allow for greater transparency in the review of our financial and operational performance.
At this point, it is my pleasure to turn things over to Michael Roth.

Michael Roth, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer:
Thank you all for joining us this morning as we review our results for the fourth quarter and 2017. As usual, I’ll start out by covering the highlights of our performance, as well as our outlook for the new year. Frank will then provide additional details, and I’ll conclude with an update on our agencies, to be followed by our Q&A.
We are pleased to report fourth quarter performance highlighted by stronger organic growth and margin expansion, as well as full-year financial results that deliver on the growth and margin targets outlined in our October update.
Among our financial highlights, fourth-quarter organic revenue growth was 3.3%, which is on top of a very challenging 5.3% in last year’s fourth quarter. Organic growth was 2.5% excluding the increase in our pass-through revenues.
Growth in the quarter was driven by a wide range of our agencies and services, and in both our U.S. and international markets. We were led by the continued outstanding performance of IPG Mediabrands, which again had strong global growth, and by our creatively-driven advertising businesses at McCann Worldgroup, FCB and Deutsch. From the point of view of client sectors, we had notable growth in the areas of auto & transportation, travel, government and healthcare.
Our fourth quarter operating margin was 22.1%, which is an increase of 70 basis points from a year ago, reflecting leverage on our salaries & related expenses. Importantly, 2017 full-year operating margin increased 40 basis points to 12.4%.
Our fourth-quarter diluted earnings per share was $0.81, and was $0.79 as adjusted, which is a 5.3% increase over comparable earnings per share a year ago. The adjustments primarily back out the Impacts of U.S. tax reform on our tax provision.
For the full year, our diluted earnings per share was $1.46, and was $1.41 as adjusted.

2



That strong bottom-line performance is a tribute to our 50,000 talented and dedicated colleagues around the world, who have maintained their focus on delivering innovation and effectiveness for our clients. All of our people can take pride in their accomplishments.
Alongside our operating gains, we continued to invest over the course of the year in outstanding talent across our agencies, as well as in the technologies, data and analytics that keep us on the leading edge of our industry, especially in our media, digital, creative and marketing services.
At the same time, we have continued to return capital to our shareholders at significant and increasing levels. During the fourth quarter, we purchased 4.2 million shares, using $84 million. For the full year, we utilized $300 million for the repurchase of 13.7 million shares, lowering our year-end total of basic shares and shares eligible for dilution to 391 million, a decrease of 2.7% from a year ago.
Since initiating our capital-return programs in 2011, we’ve returned a total of $3.6 billion to shareholders through a combination of common share dividends and repurchases, and we have reduced our outstanding shares eligible for dilution by 30%.
This morning we continue that history with our Board’s decision to raise IPG’s quarterly dividend by 17%, to $0.21 cents per share. This marks our sixth consecutive year of double-digit percentage increases to the dividend, with a cumulative increase per share of 350% since 2011.
We also announced that our Board has authorized an additional $300 million for share repurchase. Combined with the remaining authorization as of the beginning of the year of $156 million, this brings the total pro forma amount available for share repurchase to $456 million.
Together, these actions reflect our continuing operating success in recent years, IPG’s substantial financial strength, and significant confidence in our future prospects.
As we turn to our outlook for 2018, it’s encouraging to see that our value to marketers continues to drive growth at IPG, as reflected in our fourth quarter, and that we continue to convert revenue increases to operating profit growth at a high level.
We all know that consumers are changing the ways they engage with brands. At the same time, marketers are competing with new business models and working to transform their relationships with consumers, while simultaneously contending with a number of short-term pressures. As we have previously discussed, these many changes introduced a note of caution to marketing investment across our industry during 2017, and they continue to entail both risk and opportunity for IPG. Our Company remains singularly focused and uniquely resourced to help clients navigate this environment and realize their opportunities.
The current global economic picture also provides the very clear potential to be more supportive to our industry. That is my sense of the business climate from recent conversations with clients. While the caution we saw through much of last year will not lift overnight, we expect to gradually put the slower revenue growth of 2017 behind us, and post improved growth this year. We continue to believe that we’re very well-positioned to deliver growth of revenue and profit in 2018 and for the long term.
Accordingly, we are targeting 2 - 3% organic growth for 2018. Along with this level of growth, we expect to continue to build on our longstanding record of operating margin expansion, and are targeting an increase of 20 basis points in 2018 over the results we are reporting today.

3



As we look ahead, it’s also worth taking into account our estimate of a positive impact on our financials from recently enacted U.S. tax reform. A year ago, we described a normalized effective tax rate of 35% to 36% on our consolidated results, and along with that a normalized cash tax rate of approximately 29% of pre-tax income. The changes to the U.S. tax code mean that, going forward, our normalized consolidated effective tax rate for the full year should decrease to approximately 28%. Along with that, our normalized cash tax rate should decrease to 24%.
In sum, we are focused as always on the drivers of value creation in growth, margin expansion and capital returns, and are confident that they will continue to work well for the long term at Interpublic.
At this stage, I’ll turn things over to Frank for additional depth and detail on our performance, and then I’ll return with an update and highlights of our businesses.

Frank Mergenthaler, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer:
Thank you, Michael. Good morning.
As a reminder, I will be referring to the slide presentation that accompanies our webcast.
On slide 2, you’ll see a summary of our results.
Fourth quarter organic growth was 3.3%, and was 2.5% excluding the impact of higher pass-through revenue. U.S. organic growth was 3.7%, and was 2.5% excluding the impact of higher pass-through revenue, on top of 3.3% in Q4-16. International organic growth was 2.9%, and that was on top of 7.8% in Q4-16. For the full year, consolidated organic growth was 1.8%.
Q4 operating margin, in our seasonally largest quarter, was 22.1%, compared with 21.4% a year ago, an increase of 70 basis points. For the full year, operating margin expanded 40 basis points to 12.4%, which marks another advance in our record of long-term significant margin expansion at IPG. Our success is due to effectively leveraging our growth with disciplined expense management, and a pay-for-performance incentive model, for which the principal metrics are revenue and margin growth relative to targets set at the beginning of each year.
For the quarter, adjusted diluted earnings per share was $0.79, while full-year diluted EPS, as adjusted, was $1.41 per share.
Cash flow from operations was $882 million for the year, compared with $513 million in 2016, reflecting a strongly improved working capital result.
We repurchased 13.7 million shares for $300 million during the year. As Michael mentioned, we announced this morning that our Board has again significantly increased our common share dividend, to $0.21 per share quarterly, and added $300 million to our share repurchase authorization.

Turning to slide 3, you’ll see our P&L for the quarter. I’ll cover revenue and operating expenses in detail in the slides that follow.
Turning to revenue on slide 4:
Fourth quarter revenue was $2.34 billion.
Compared to Q4-16, the impact of the change in exchange rates was an increase of 1.2%, while net dispositions were an offsetting negative 1.1%. The resulting organic revenue [increase] was 3.3%.

4



Increased pass-through revenue added 80 basis points to our growth, without which the organic growth change was 2.5%.
To remind you, pass-through revenues are offset dollar-for-dollar in our O&G expense, and increases and decreases to pass-through revenue do not change our operating profit.
Revenue growth for the full year was one-half of one percent, which reflects organic growth of 1.8%, and a 1.3% decrease due to our net dispositions. FX for the year was de minimis.

As you can see on the bottom half of this slide, Q4 organic growth at our Integrated Agency Networks was 3.3%. The segment was led by Mediabrands, which continues its terrific performance, and by McCann and FCB. Growth was 2.2% for the full year.
At our CMG segment of marketing services specialists, organic growth was 3.3% in the quarter, but was a decrease of 1.9% excluding the benefit of higher pass-through revenue, which is disproportionately in our sports marketing and events businesses. CMG revenue was flat organically for the full year, and down 40 basis points as adjusted for pass-throughs.
Moving on to slide 5, revenue by region.
In the U.S., Q4 organic growth was 3.7%, and was 2.5% excluding the increase in pass-through revenues.
Growth was broad-based, led by Mediabrands, McCann, FCB, Deutsch, Carmichael Lynch, and Jack Morton. The pass-through revenue increase that we’ve noted in the U.S. was due to higher project spend with Jack Morton.
Among client sectors, auto & transportation, healthcare, government and travel contributed notably to growth, while the CPG sector also increased in the U.S.
For the full year, our organic growth in the U.S. was 2.2%, with increases across Mediabrands, McCann, FCB and Carmichael Lynch. Our top client sectors domestically were healthcare, auto & transportation and government.
In our international markets, organic growth was 2.9% in Q4, and was 2.5% excluding an increase in pass-through revenues.
In Continental Europe, we grew 7.9% organically in the fourth quarter, which was 6.6% excluding the pass-through impact, which is very strong performance, especially against 11.1% growth in Q4-16. Among our largest markets in the region, we had double-digit growth in Germany and Italy, while France and Spain were approximately flat. Here again we had strong growth at Mediabrands, and also at Jack Morton in events and Weber Shandwick in public relations. Organic growth for the full year was 3.5%, on top of 5.7% in 2016.
In the U.K., our organic growth in the quarter was slightly negative, by 40 basis points, and increased 1.0% as adjusted for pass-throughs. You’ll recall that our U.K. growth was nearly 12% in the fourth quarter of 2016. McCann, Mediabrands and Huge performed very well in the quarter. For the full year, which is at the right on this slide, the U.K. grew 4.1% adjusted for lower pass-throughs, which was against 5.0% on the same basis in 2016.
In AsiaPac, our revenue decreased organically by 90 basis points, or negative 2.7% excluding the pass-through increase. Our full-year numbers were in a similar range. India continued to be a standout performer in both the quarter and the year, while China, Australia and Japan were notably slower.
In LatAm, we grew 6.5% organically in the quarter, compounding 5.0% growth a year ago. That performance brought us to approximately flat for the full year, against 12% growth in 2016. In the fourth quarter, Argentina and Mexico continued to be very strong markets. Brazil increased slightly, despite the difficult macro environment. Overall,

5



regional performance in the quarter was driven by strong results at Mediabrands, R/GA and FCB.
In our ‘Other Markets’ group, organic revenue growth was 4.5% in the quarter, led by our Canada and South Africa markets. Our growth was 4.5% as well for the full year.

On slide 6, we chart the longer view of our organic revenue change on a trailing-12-month basis. The most recent data point was 1.8% for calendar year 2017, on top of 5.0% in 2016 and 6.1% in 2015.
Moving on to expenses on slide 7, our discipline around operating expenses continued to make a significant contribution to our margin growth:
Under 3.4% revenue growth, our total operating expenses increased 2.5% in the quarter.
For the full year, our ratio of total salaries & related expenses to revenue was 64.3%, compared with 64.2% a year ago.
Underneath that, we de-levered on expenses for base payroll, benefits & tax, due to slower top-line growth in 2017. At the same time, we took the appropriate, and significant, actions to align expenses with revenue over the course of the year.
We had significant leverage for the year on incentive expense, which was 3.3% of revenue, compared with 4.0% in 2016.
We also leveraged our category of ‘other’ salaries & related expenses, which includes employee performance-based contractual bonus payments. ‘Other’ salaries & related were 2.5% of revenues in 2017, compared with 3.0% in 2016.
Year-end headcount was approximately 50,200, compared with 49,800 a year ago, an increase of less than one percent.
Turning to office & general expenses on the bottom half of this slide:
O&G was 23.4% of full-year revenue, compared with 23.8%, giving us 40 basis points of year-on-year operating leverage.
Within O&G, we had operating leverage on our category of ‘other’ O&G expenses, which includes lower direct expenses that are the offset to lower pass-through revenues. We also leveraged our expenses for T&E, office supplies and telecom, which, again, is the result of our continuing focus on costs.

On slide 8, we show our operating margin history on a trailing-12-month basis. With the most recent data point at 12.4%, we have made sustained and significant gains. There is still work to be done, and we remain highly focused on continued progress.
Turning to slide 9, we present more detail on below-the-line adjustments to our reported fourth-quarter results, in order to give you a better picture of comparable performance.
We had a small loss in the quarter of $3 million in ‘other’ expense from the sale of a small, nonstrategic business, which was more than offset by the related tax benefit, and resulted in a penny per share in earnings.
Moving from left to right on this slide, as a consequence of tax reform, we reversed a benefit in the amount of $31 million for U.S. federal tax credits.
We also recorded a benefit from the net impact of U.S. tax reform in the amount of $36 million, or $0.09 per share. That amount primarily represents the net of revaluing our deferred tax liabilities, less the one-time charge for the so-called repatriation tax under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
The result, as shown, is fourth-quarter adjusted diluted EPS of $0.79 per share.

6




Slide 10 depicts similar adjustments for the full year, again for comparability:
You can see our loss of $0.04 per diluted share for business dispositions and our benefit of $0.09 per share for tax reform.
The result is adjusted full-year diluted EPS of $1.41.
Our normalized tax rate for the full year was 36.1%.

Before moving on to cash flow, we should remind everyone that our report today is the last one before we are required to report under the new revenue recognition accounting standard, ASC 606. We are well-along with our work on 606, and, while not yet fully complete, we can say with certainty that there will be no change to our model for value creation at IPG or, for that matter, to our priorities to drive organic growth and margin expansion.
As previously disclosed, we have elected to restate prior years for the new standard. We believe it is the transition method that provides the best continuity for our constituencies, and the best alignment of our commentary with reported results in the year ahead. We plan to provide the quarterly 2017 restated results in an 8-K filing some time prior to our first-quarter 2018 earnings release in April, along with more color and detail.
We foresee two principal impacts of the new standard on our reporting. One is earlier recognition of some revenue and profit, mainly for a portion of client performance bonuses. The new standard requires recognizing some revenue as the work is performed, rather than deferring recognition until the measurement period is complete.
That re-phasing requirement moves a small portion of our revenue and profit earlier between years. Restating 2017 for the new standard, for example, will require that we recognize some client bonuses in ’17 that would have been recognized in 2018 under the old standard. Similarly, we will be required to push some revenue and profit from 2017 back into 2016. We estimate that this will result in a decrease to our 2017 operating profit of approximately 3 - 4% when restated. That is due to year-to-year changes to our client contracts, the timing of when bonuses were recognized, and changes in our client base. Importantly, there will be no change to 2017 cash flow, or to our 2018 financial targets in terms of operating profit and earnings per share, as a result of restating.
The second impact of adopting ASC 606 is that we will report noticeably more gross revenue and more gross expense, with dollar-for-dollar increases to revenue and expense. That change will have no impact on cash flow, operating profit, net income or earnings per share. Our estimate for 2017, which is still subject to change, is that we would have had approximately $1.2 [billion] more of both revenue and expense under the new standard. Nearly all of the increase relates to events at Jack Morton, Momentum and Octagon, as well as to our PR and healthcare specialists. None of the incremental gross revenue relates to our media business.
To enhance the transparency of our results, we will add disclosure of our net revenue in income, beginning with our first quarter this year, and our key performance metrics will track the net organic revenue growth and net revenue operating margin. To clarify, that will be an increment of $1.2 billion of incremental revenue.
Again, more to come on this prior to our Q1 release.

7



Slide 11 is cash flow for the full year:
Cash from operations in 2017 was $882 million, compared to $513 million a year ago. The comparison includes a strong improvement in our working capital result, which used $28 million, compared with $415 million a year ago.
Our investing activities used $196 million in the year, including $156 million for cap-ex and $31 million for acquisitions. Cap-ex is majority IT investment and, secondly, leasehold improvements to office space. Cap-ex was decreased from 2016, when we had a few large office relocations.
Financing Activities used $1 billion, which was comprised mainly of $325 million to repay maturing long-term debt, $300 million to repurchase our shares and $280 million for our common stock dividends.
In 2017, our net decrease in cash and cash equivalents was $303 million.

Slide 12 is a view of our debt over the past 11 years, with total debt of $1.37 billion at year-end 2017. Our $300 million 2.25% Notes matured in mid-November, which we refinanced with commercial paper. Q4 is seasonally our strongest operating cash flow quarter, which we used to extinguish the outstanding commercial paper by year-end. As a result, at year-end we have the lower debt balance, which you see on this table, and also a lower cash balance compared to a year ago.
Slide 13 is the current portion of our balance sheet. Total cash and cash equivalents was $791 million at year end, so net debt was approximately the same level as a year ago.
Slide 14 depicts the total of our average basic shares plus dilutive shares over time, and, at the far right, shows the total as of year-end 2017. Our average total shares decreased by 160 million shares over this time period, due to share repurchases and the simplification of our capital structure. Our starting position for 2018 is 391 million shares.
In summary, on slide 15, we are pleased to conclude the year with solid Q4 performance. Our operating teams delivered significant margin growth in 2017, even as the revenue environment became more challenging. Our balance sheet continues to be a meaningful source of value creation, which is evident in the actions announced by our Board today. That leaves us well-positioned to deliver on our objectives for the full year.
With that, I’ll turn it back over to Michael.

Mr. Roth:
Thank you, Frank.
As you can tell, we closed the year on a stronger note, with respect to both growth and profitability.
As I’ve indicated, it’s too early to say conclusively that the broader trends that we saw impact our industry last year are entirely behind us. But, fourth quarter results, as well as conversations with our operators and a number of our key clients are encouraging. It seems that, as we move forward into 2018, marketers will turn their focus solely from expense reductions to also encompass growth, and that is an area in which our unique expertise and capabilities can play an important role.
While the macro environment continues to include geopolitical uncertainty, as apparent in the daily headlines from around the globe, economic fundamentals remain solid overall. And improved clarity with respect to tax reform is a notable positive for business.

8



What is more, as you’ve heard me say before, confusion is good. And there is still plenty of that, due to the very complex and quickly evolving technology, media and communications landscape. This represents a continued opportunity for a company like ours, with the range of strategic and creative talent we bring to bear to our clients’ businesses and challenges, our embedded digital offerings throughout the portfolio, as well as specialist capabilities in emerging areas like programmatic, data and analytics, to name but a few.
At IPG, we remain committed to the idea that the best talent does the best work for our clients, which is key for us to win in the marketplace. This is a vision that we’ve put to work in many ways. From our proven commitment to investing in talent over the long haul, to the work we do incubating innovative startups, to our industry-leading programs that promoted a more diverse and inclusive workplace.
These are fundamental drivers of our success, and we will continue to invest behind and live up to our D&I aspirations, build on our Accelerator programs and foster a culture that is both entrepreneurial and accountable. This is what allows us to attract the best people, whether they are traditional craft practitioners or they represent the most leading-edge technological capabilities.
We all know that our industry is changing rapidly. As you’d expect, we regularly monitor activity in adjacent sectors and among potential new entrants into our space, so as to ensure that we continue to develop our integrated model and deliver a fully relevant and contemporary range of services to our clients.
Turning now to performance at the agency level, let me provide a brief progress report on the key developments within our portfolio.
Highlights during the fourth quarter were led by Mediabrands, which posted outstanding performance. UM closed the year with big wins with Spotify and Ubisoft, both very sophisticated marketers, to follow on wins earlier in the year of Accenture and Coach. Initiative won two global pitches, Carlsberg and LEGO, as well as an important incumbent defense of the Amazon account. The agency’s new business performance was just recognized by a top RECMA ranking, and we are pleased to see the network reaching the same heights as UM. Cadreon and Reprise are also first-rate digital partners for our clients. These will be key as we go into a new year in which new business activity is accelerating in the media space. We are excited to enter 2018 with positive market momentum, as well as a distinctive market position due to our long-standing commitment to a high level of transparency.
Mediabrands is also the place where we will continue to focus and invest behind our considerable data and analytics capabilities, in order to develop the next generation data stack that can serve all of our agencies, including creative, as we push for even more accountability in our marketing programs.
McCann had another solid year, with strong new business performance that had them on top of many league tables. The agency’s wins featured brands from marketing powerhouses such as Reckitt Benckiser, Coca-Cola, MGM, Bombardier, Diageo and BASF.
McCann’s performance at creative awards shows continued to reach new heights. Above all, 2017 was the year of the “Fearless Girl” statue, which became a cultural phenomenon, drove important social conversations and, of course, fueled great results for that client. McCann also continued to up its game in digital marketing, where it has created outstanding campaigns in recent years, and upgraded senior-level talent across North America, in its headquarters New York office, as well as in China.

9



FCB closed the year strong in terms of financial performance, and also launched the new “Circles” campaign for Levi’s, which was some of the most talked-about creative work this year. The agency also introduced bold new work for Clorox, one of the network’s recent signature global wins.
FCB Chicago continues to thrive, supporting clients with a full range of services, from consumer advertising to CRM, shopper marketing, digital and state-of-the-art production capabilities. FCB Health also maintained its position as a growth driver, an industry thought leader and a top creative performer in the healthcare marketing space.
MullenLowe built momentum and recognition for breakthrough creativity and integrated services, which the agency refers to as “hyperbundling.” During the year, MullenLowe put together an impressive run of new business wins, including Eurosport, E*TRADE and Whole Foods, which was likely the most competitive AOR pitch of 2017 in terms of the number of agencies involved in the review.
Additional media wins included Chipotle, Nuveen and Staples. Recent acquisitions in London will further enhance the agency’s capabilities, in terms of advertising creativity and PR.
Despite a challenging environment for project businesses, which we called out for you in our calls last year, our outstanding digital specialty agencies, R/GA and Huge, won signature high-profile assignments and built out their capabilities.
At Huge, the most notable was the McDonald’s digital consumer experience account, one of only a handful of cases during 2017 in which we faced off against not only our traditional competitive set, but also some of the consultancies.
R/GA wins included work from Hyundai, Guinness, Nikon and Coty, as well as “Digital Innovation Agency of the Year” honors from Campaign in London. As some of our competitors tout the introduction of AI platforms to boost productivity and talent deployment, it bears noting that R/GA’s internal platform, built to perform the same function, has been in development for close to a decade and integrates the skills and workflow of over 2,000 employees across 17 R/GA offices.
Weber Shandwick remains a leader in its space, with a strong leadership team that regularly garners top honors from its industry press, in every world region. The agency has bolstered its capabilities in data science, analytics and performance marketing with recent acquisitions.
Weber was recognized by the Holmes Report with the top ranking on the “Global Creative Index,” and the “Daughters of Mother India” campaign earned top honors as the most-awarded PR campaign of the past 12 months. We were equally pleased that the agency has started out 2018 with a global consolidation win with a major IPG client.
Also at CMG, we saw very strong performance from Octagon. The agency is a leader in sports marketing, which is an increasingly important sector, which taps into deep consumer passion points and is one of the few ways we can still reach large aggregate audiences on behalf of our clients.
Our U.S. independents round out the portfolio. Each has a range of services that it can deliver on an integrated standalone basis to major clients, or as part of a customized “open architecture” IPG solution, as Deutsch does on our global J&J ACUVUE business, or Hill Holliday on the consumer side of a number of J&J pharma engagements. Both of these agencies, as well as Carmichael Lynch, had a very successful year, and we look forward to including them in more integrated teams on a going-forward basis.

10



As you know, we have been focused on delivering on the vision of “open architecture” for nearly a decade. Although this has become something of a talking point for all our competitors, we continue to feel that our approach is a positive differentiator, since we integrate the best of our talent across the organization by means of fully consolidated teams, with regular involvement and leadership from senior IPG-level corporate executives.
It’s clear that the quality of our strategic and creative offerings is currently at the highest level that it has been in many years. Globally, at major competitions ranging from Cannes to the Effies, our agencies are recognized with the highest honors and our Group performance is outstanding.
Despite a very challenging revenue environment in 2017, we posted solid results and achieved growth that was ahead of the industry average. We also demonstrated our ability to remain focused on and deliver margin improvement. This is consistent with our long-term record of improving profitability in both higher and more-moderate growth environments. This is an achievement we are proud of, as is the fact that we have made such great progress in terms of the Company’s balance sheet and overall financial strength.
Our capital-return programs continue to be significant drivers of value. Our Board’s decision today, to once again meaningfully increase the dividend, and also add to our share repurchase program, shows a continued commitment to return value to shareholders, as well as confidence in our future prospects.
Looking forward, against a backdrop of macroeconomic and political uncertainty, the tone of the business is good, and new business activity seems to be picking up. The breadth and strength of our portfolio positions us well to participate in most pitch opportunities, and there is further organic growth to be had by broadening the scope of our relationships with existing clients.
In light of these factors, we believe that we should continue to see competitive organic revenue performance in 2018, which is why we’re targeting growth of 2 - 3% for 2018. Along with this level of growth, we are targeting operating margin expansion of 20 basis points over the results we are reporting today. This builds on our strong long-term record in this area.
At the same time, we will continue to invest in the outstanding talent and emerging capabilities that are required to position us for the long-term. Combined with the strength of our balance sheet and our consistent commitment and strong delivery when it comes to capital return, that means that there remains significant potential for value creation and enhanced shareholder value.
As always, we thank our clients and our people, who are the foundation of our success.



11



Cautionary Statement
This transcript contains forward-looking statements. Statements in this transcript that are not historical facts, including statements about management’s beliefs and expectations, constitute forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current plans, estimates and projections, and are subject to change based on a number of factors, including those outlined under Item 1A, Risk Factors, in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update publicly any of them in light of new information or future events.
Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the following:
potential effects of a challenging economy, for example on the demand for our advertising and marketing services, on our clients’ financial condition and on our business or financial condition;
our ability to attract new clients and retain existing clients;
our ability to retain and attract key employees;
risks associated with assumptions we make in connection with our critical accounting estimates, including changes in assumptions associated with any effects of a weakened economy;
potential adverse effects if we are required to recognize impairment charges or other adverse accounting-related developments;
risks associated with the effects of global, national and regional economic and political conditions, including counterparty risks and fluctuations in economic growth rates, interest rates and currency exchange rates; and
developments from changes in the regulatory and legal environment for advertising and marketing and communications services companies around the world.
Investors should carefully consider these factors and the additional risk factors outlined in more detail in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K under Item 1A, Risk Factors.

12



THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED NON-GAAP RESULTS
(Amounts in Millions except Per Share Data)
(UNAUDITED)
 
 
 
Three Months Ended December 31, 2017
 
As Reported
 
Net Losses on Sales of Businesses 1
 
U.S. Federal Tax Credits
 
Net Impact of U.S. Tax Reform
 
Adjusted Results
Income Before Income Taxes
$
498.8

 
$
(3.2
)
 
 
 
 
 
$
502.0

Provision for Income Taxes
166.1

 
5.7

 
$
(31.2
)
 
$
36.0

 
176.6

   Effective Tax Rate
33.3
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
35.2
%
Equity in Net Income of Unconsolidated Affiliates
0.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
0.8

Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
(16.9
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(16.9
)
Net Income Available to IPG Common Stockholders
$
316.6

 
$
2.5

 
$
(31.2
)
 
$
36.0

 
$
309.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding - Basic
385.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
385.1

Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted shares
8.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8.1

Weighted-Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding - Diluted
393.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
393.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings Per Share Available to IPG Common Stockholders:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Basic
$
0.82

 
$
0.01

 
$
(0.08
)
 
$
0.09

 
$
0.80

  Diluted
$
0.81

 
$
0.01

 
$
(0.08
)
 
$
0.09

 
$
0.79

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 Includes losses on completed dispositions of businesses and the classification of certain assets as held for sale.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note: Management believes the resulting comparisons provide useful supplemental data that, while not a substitute for GAAP measures, allow for greater transparency in the review of our financial and operational performance.


13



THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED NON-GAAP RESULTS
(Amounts in Millions except Per Share Data)
(UNAUDITED)
 
 
 
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2017
 
As Reported
 
Net Losses on Sales of Businesses 1
 
Net Impact of U.S. Tax Reform
 
Adjusted Results
Income Before Income Taxes
$
876.0

 
$
(24.1
)
 
 
 
$
900.1

Provision for Income Taxes
281.9

 
7.4

 
$
36.0

 
325.3

   Effective Tax Rate
32.2
%
 
 
 
 
 
36.1
%
Equity in Net Income of Unconsolidated Affiliates
0.9

 
 
 
 
 
0.9

Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
(16.0
)
 
 
 
 
 
(16.0
)
Net Income Available to IPG Common Stockholders
$
579.0

 
$
(16.7
)
 
$
36.0

 
$
559.7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding - Basic
389.6

 
 
 
 
 
389.6

Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted shares
7.7

 
 
 
 
 
7.7

Weighted-Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding - Diluted
397.3

 
 
 
 
 
397.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings Per Share Available to IPG Common Stockholders:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Basic
$
1.49

 
$
(0.04
)
 
$
0.09

 
$
1.44

  Diluted
$
1.46

 
$
(0.04
)
 
$
0.09

 
$
1.41

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 Includes losses on completed dispositions of businesses and the classification of certain assets as held for sale.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note: Management believes the resulting comparisons provide useful supplemental data that, while not a substitute for GAAP measures, allow for greater transparency in the review of our financial and operational performance.



14



THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED NON-GAAP RESULTS
(Amounts in Millions except Per Share Data)
(UNAUDITED)
 
 
 
Three Months Ended December 31, 2016
 
As Reported
 
Net Losses on Sales of Businesses
 
U.S. Federal Tax Credits
 
Adjusted Results 1
Income Before Income Taxes
$
441.1

 
$
(25.3
)
 
 
 
$
466.4

Provision for Income Taxes
106.1

 
2.0

 
$
37.4

 
145.5

   Effective Tax Rate
24.1
%
 
 
 
 
 
31.2
%
Equity in Net Income of Unconsolidated Affiliates
1.9

 
 
 
 
 
1.9

Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
(19.3
)
 
 
 
 
 
(19.3
)
Net Income Available to IPG Common Stockholders
$
317.6

 
$
(23.3
)
 
$
37.4

 
$
303.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding - Basic
393.5

 
 
 
 
 
393.5

Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted shares
11.7

 
 
 
 
 
11.7

Weighted-Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding - Diluted
405.2

 
 
 
 
 
405.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings Per Share Available to IPG Common Stockholders:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Basic
$
0.81

 
$
(0.06
)
 
$
0.10

 
$
0.77

  Diluted
$
0.78

 
$
(0.06
)
 
$
0.09

 
$
0.75

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 The effect of the adoption of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Update 2016-09, which was previously included in this table in 2016, has now been removed as the effect of the adoption is reflected in both periods.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note: Management believes the resulting comparisons provide useful supplemental data that, while not a substitute for GAAP measures, allow for greater transparency in the review of our financial and operational performance.


15



THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED NON-GAAP RESULTS
(Amounts in Millions except Per Share Data)
(UNAUDITED)
 
 
 
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2016
 
As Reported
 
Net Losses on Sales of Businesses
 
Valuation Allowance Reversals
 
Settlement of Certain Tax Positions
 
U.S. Federal Tax Credits
 
Adjusted Results 1
Income Before Income Taxes
$
830.2

 
$
(41.4
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
871.6

Provision for Income Taxes
198.0

 
2.4

 
$
12.2

 
$
23.4

 
$
44.6

 
280.6

   Effective Tax Rate
23.8
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
32.2
%
Equity in Net Income of Unconsolidated Affiliates
0.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
0.3

Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
(24.0
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(24.0
)
Net Income Available to IPG Common Stockholders
$
608.5

 
$
(39.0
)
 
$
12.2

 
$
23.4

 
$
44.6

 
$
567.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding - Basic
397.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
397.9

Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted shares
10.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.1

Weighted-Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding - Diluted
408.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
408.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings Per Share Available to IPG Common Stockholders:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Basic
$
1.53

 
$
(0.10
)
 
$
0.03

 
$
0.06

 
$
0.11

 
$
1.43

  Diluted
$
1.49

 
$
(0.10
)
 
$
0.03

 
$
0.06

 
$
0.11

 
$
1.39

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 The effect of the adoption of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Update 2016-09, which was previously included in this table in 2016, has now been removed as the effect of the adoption is reflected in both periods.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note: Management believes the resulting comparisons provide useful supplemental data that, while not a substitute for GAAP measures, allow for greater transparency in the review of our financial and operational performance.





16

investordeckq42017final
FOURTH QUARTER & FULL YEAR 2017 EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL February 14, 2018


 
Overview Page 2 See reconciliations of organic revenue change on page 20 and adjusted non-GAAP diluted EPS on page 23. • Fourth quarter 2017 revenue increased 3.4%, with organic growth of +3.3% and +2.5% excluding the impact of higher pass-through revenue ◦ U.S. organic growth was +3.7%, and was +2.5% excluding the change in pass-through revenue ◦ International organic change was +2.9%, and was also +2.5% excluding the change in pass-through revenue • FY-17 operating margin was 12.4%, an improvement of 40 basis points • FY-17 diluted EPS was $1.46, and was $1.41 as adjusted for sales of businesses and tax items • FY-17 cash flow from operations was $882 million • Repurchased 13.7 million shares during 2017 • Increased quarterly dividend 17% and authorized new $300 million share repurchase program


 
(Amounts in Millions, except per share amounts) Page 3 Three Months Ended December 31, 2017 2016 Revenue $ 2,341.0 $ 2,264.5 Salaries and Related Expenses (1) 1,325.8 1,308.8 Office and General Expenses 496.9 470.0 Operating Income 518.3 485.7 Interest Expense (23.2 ) (21.8 ) Interest Income 5.4 4.0 Other Expense, net (1) (1.7 ) (26.8 ) Income Before Income Taxes 498.8 441.1 Provision for Income Taxes 166.1 106.1 Equity in Net Income of Unconsolidated Affiliates 0.8 1.9 Net Income 333.5 336.9 Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests (16.9 ) (19.3 ) Net Income Available to IPG Common Stockholders $ 316.6 $ 317.6 Earnings per Share Available to IPG Common Stockholders: Basic $ 0.82 $ 0.81 Diluted $ 0.81 $ 0.78 Weighted-Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding: Basic 385.1 393.5 Diluted 393.2 405.2 Dividends Declared per Common Share $ 0.18 $ 0.15 (1) As part of the adoption of FASB ASU 2017-07, we have reclassified a portion of postretirement costs from Salaries and Related Expenses to Other Expense, net. The amounts reclassified were $3.2 and $0.6 for the three months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Operating Performance


 
($ in Millions) Page 4 "ex-PT": excluding the organic change in our pass-through revenues, which are offset in our operating expenses. See reconciliations of segment organic revenue change on pages 20 and 21. Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended $ % Change $ % Change December 31, 2016 $ 2,264.5 $ 7,846.6 Total change 76.5 3.4 % 35.8 0.5 % Foreign currency 27.9 1.2 % (2.8 ) 0.0 % Net acquisitions/(divestitures) (26.5 ) (1.1 %) (100.3 ) (1.3 %) Organic 75.1 3.3 % 138.9 1.8 % Change in pass-throughs 18.8 0.8 % (8.3 ) (0.1 %) Organic ex change in pass-throughs 56.3 2.5 % 147.2 1.9 % December 31, 2017 $ 2,341.0 $ 7,882.4 Three Months Ended December 31, Twelve Months Ended December 31, Change Change 2017 2016 Total Organic Organic ex-PT 2017 2016 Total Organic Organic ex-PT IAN $ 1,931.7 $ 1,866.1 3.5 % 3.3 % 3.4 % $ 6,397.3 $ 6,319.4 1.2 % 2.2 % 2.4 % CMG $ 409.3 $ 398.4 2.7 % 3.3 % (1.9 %) $ 1,485.1 $ 1,527.2 (2.8 %) 0.0 % (0.4 %) Revenue


 
Page 5 “All Other Markets” includes Canada, Africa and the Middle East. See reconciliations of organic revenue change on pages 20 and 21. Three Months Ended December 31, 2017 Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2017 Total Organic Organic ex-PT Total Organic Organic ex-PT United States 2.2 % 3.7 % 2.5 % 0.6 % 2.2 % 2.0 % International 4.9 % 2.9 % 2.5 % 0.2 % 1.2 % 1.6 % United Kingdom 4.8 % (0.4 %) 1.0 % (2.0 %) 1.1 % 4.1 % Continental Europe 11.8 % 7.9 % 6.6 % 2.3 % 3.5 % 3.4 % Asia Pacific 0.3 % (0.9 %) (2.7 %) (1.0 %) (1.6 %) (2.5 %) Latin America 1.2 % 6.5 % 6.9 % (4.5 %) (0.1 %) (0.1 %) All Other Markets 6.5 % 4.5 % 4.9 % 6.4 % 4.5 % 4.6 % Worldwide 3.4 % 3.3 % 2.5 % 0.5 % 1.8 % 1.9 % Geographic Revenue Change


 
Page 6 Trailing Twelve Months Organic Revenue Growth (0.9%)


 
See reconciliations of organic measures on pages 20 and 21. ($ in Millions) Page 7 Salaries & Related Change 2017 2016 $ Total Organic Three Months Ended December 31, $ 1,325.8 $ 1,308.8 $ 17.0 1.3 % 0.9 % % of Revenue 56.6 % 57.8 % Twelve Months Ended December 31, $ 5,068.1 $ 5,035.1 $ 33.0 0.7 % 2.0 % % of Revenue 64.3 % 64.2 % Office & General Change 2017 2016 $ Total Organic Three Months Ended December 31, $ 496.9 $ 470.0 $ 26.9 5.7 % 5.8 % % of Revenue 21.2 % 20.8 % Twelve Months Ended December 31, $ 1,840.7 $ 1,870.5 $ (29.8 ) (1.6 %) 0.5 % % of Revenue 23.4 % 23.8 % Operating Expenses


 
Page 8 Trailing Twelve Months For the twelve months ended December 31, 2013, reported operating income of $598.3 includes our Q4 2013 restructuring charge of $60.6. Excluding this charge, adjusted operating income was $658.9, and adjusted operating margin is represented in green. ($ in Millions) Operating Margin (1.7%)


 
Three Months Ended December 31, 2017 As Reported Net Losses on Sales of Businesses(1) U.S. Federal Tax Credits(2) Net Impact of U.S. Tax Reform(3) Adjusted Results Income Before Income Taxes $ 498.8 $ (3.2 ) $ 502.0 Provision for Income Taxes 166.1 5.7 $ (31.2 ) $ 36.0 176.6 Effective Tax Rate 33.3 % 35.2 % Diluted EPS Components: Net Income Available to IPG Common Stockholders $ 316.6 $ 2.5 $ (31.2 ) $ 36.0 $ 309.3 Weighted-Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding 393.2 393.2 Earnings Per Share Available to IPG Common Stockholders $ 0.81 $ 0.01 $ (0.08 ) $ 0.09 $ 0.79 Page 9 (Amounts in Millions, except per share amounts) Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share (1) During the three months ended December 31, 2017, we recorded net losses on sales of businesses, primarily in our international markets. (2) During the three months ended December 31, 2017, we reversed the tax benefit recorded during the three months ended September 30, 2017 related to foreign tax credits as a result of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. (3) During the three months ended December 31, 2017, we recorded a net benefit as a result of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, primarily consisting of a benefit of $104.7 on the remeasurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities, partially offset by a charge of $62.3 on the deemed repatriation of unremitted foreign earnings. See full reconciliations of adjusted non-GAAP diluted earnings per share on page 22.


 
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2017 As Reported Net Losses on Sales of Businesses(1) Net Impact of U.S. Tax Reform(2) Adjusted Results Income Before Income Taxes $ 876.0 $ (24.1 ) $ 900.1 Provision for Income Taxes 281.9 7.4 $ 36.0 325.3 Effective Tax Rate 32.2 % 36.1 % Diluted EPS Components: Net Income Available to IPG Common Stockholders $ 579.0 $ (16.7 ) $ 36.0 $ 559.7 Weighted-Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding 397.3 397.3 Earnings Per Share Available to IPG Common Stockholders $ 1.46 $ (0.04 ) $ 0.09 $ 1.41 Page 10 (Amounts in Millions, except per share amounts) Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share (1) During the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, we recorded net losses on sales of businesses, primarily in our international markets. (2) During the three months ended December 31, 2017, we recorded a net benefit as a result of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, primarily consisting of a benefit of $104.7 on the remeasurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities, partially offset by a charge of $62.3 on the deemed repatriation of unremitted foreign earnings. See full reconciliations of adjusted non-GAAP diluted earnings per share on page 23.


 
($ in Millions) Page 11 Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2017 2016 NET INCOME $ 595.0 $ 632.5 OPERATING ACTIVITIES Depreciation & amortization 244.9 251.4 Deferred taxes 4.6 45.7 Net losses on sales of businesses 24.1 41.4 Other non-cash items 22.2 52.2 Change in working capital, net (28.4 ) (414.9 ) Change in other non-current assets & liabilities 19.4 (95.5 ) Net cash provided by operating activities 881.8 512.8 INVESTING ACTIVITIES Capital expenditures (155.9 ) (200.7 ) Acquisitions, net of cash acquired (30.6 ) (52.0 ) Other investing activities (9.7 ) (11.2 ) Net cash used in investing activities (196.2 ) (263.9 ) FINANCING ACTIVITIES Repayments of long-term debt (324.6 ) (1.8 ) Repurchases of common stock (300.1 ) (303.3 ) Common stock dividends (280.3 ) (238.4 ) Acquisition-related payments (53.7 ) (40.8 ) Tax payments for employee shares withheld (38.8 ) (23.1 ) Distributions to noncontrolling interests (20.4 ) (13.7 ) Exercise of stock options 13.1 10.2 Net increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings 3.0 (56.2 ) Other financing activities (3.1 ) 0.7 Net cash used in financing activities (1,004.9 ) (666.4 ) Currency effect 16.8 11.6 Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ (302.5 ) $ (405.9 ) Cash Flow


 
($ in Millions) Page 12 (2) Total Debt (1) (1) Includes current portion of long-term debt, short-term borrowings and long-term debt. (2) Includes our November 2012 debt issuances of $800 aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes, which pre-funded our plan to redeem a similar amount of debt in 2013.


 
($ in Millions) Page 13 December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents $ 790.9 $ 1,097.6 Accounts receivable, net 4,585.0 4,389.7 Expenditures billable to clients 1,747.4 1,518.1 Assets held for sale 5.7 203.2 Other current assets 330.1 229.4 Total current assets $ 7,459.1 $ 7,438.0 CURRENT LIABILITIES: Accounts payable $ 6,907.8 $ 6,303.6 Accrued liabilities 674.7 794.0 Short-term borrowings 84.9 85.7 Current portion of long-term debt (1) 2.0 323.9 Liabilities held for sale 8.8 198.8 Total current liabilities $ 7,678.2 $ 7,706.0 Balance Sheet – Current Portion (1) Our 2.25% Senior Notes were repaid on November 15, 2017.


 
(Amounts in Millions) Page 14 Total Shares: Basic and Eligible for Dilution (1) (1) Includes basic common shares outstanding, restricted shares, in-the-money stock options and convertible debt and preferred stock eligible for dilution. (2) Equals weighted-average shares outstanding as defined above for the twelve months ending December 31st for the periods presented. Weighted-Average (2)


 
Page 15 Summary • Foundation for sustained value creation in top talent and key strategic initiatives ◦ Quality of our agency offerings ◦ Embedded digital & digital specialists ◦ "Open architecture” solutions • Effective expense management continues • Focus is on stronger growth and continued margin improvement • Financial strength an ongoing source of value creation ◦ Increased dividend ◦ New share repurchase authorization


 
Appendix


 
(Amounts in Millions, except per share amounts) Page 17 Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2017 2016 Revenue $ 7,882.4 $ 7,846.6 Salaries and Related Expenses (1) 5,068.1 5,035.1 Office and General Expenses 1,840.7 1,870.5 Operating Income 973.6 941.0 Interest Expense (90.8 ) (90.6 ) Interest Income 19.4 20.1 Other Expense, net (1) (26.2 ) (40.3 ) Income Before Income Taxes 876.0 830.2 Provision for Income Taxes 281.9 198.0 Equity in Net Income of Unconsolidated Affiliates 0.9 0.3 Net Income 595.0 632.5 Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests (16.0 ) (24.0 ) Net Income Available to IPG Common Stockholders $ 579.0 $ 608.5 Earnings per Share Available to IPG Common Stockholders: Basic $ 1.49 $ 1.53 Diluted $ 1.46 $ 1.49 Weighted-Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding: Basic 389.6 397.9 Diluted 397.3 408.0 Dividends Declared per Common Share $ 0.72 $ 0.60 Operating Performance (1) As part of the adoption of FASB ASU 2017-07, we have reclassified a portion of postretirement costs from Salaries and Related Expenses to Other Expense, net. The amounts reclassified were $9.6 and $3.0 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.


 
($ in Millions) Page 18 Three Months Ended December 31, 2017 2016 NET INCOME $ 333.5 $ 336.9 OPERATING ACTIVITIES Depreciation & amortization 56.4 70.7 Deferred taxes 6.2 43.1 Net losses on sales of businesses 3.2 25.3 Other non-cash items (3.4 ) 8.8 Change in working capital, net 584.1 76.9 Change in other non-current assets & liabilities 40.8 (22.0 ) Net cash provided by operating activities 1,020.8 539.7 INVESTING ACTIVITIES Capital expenditures (47.2 ) (86.2 ) Acquisitions, net of cash acquired (8.0 ) (4.1 ) Other investing activities (0.5 ) (6.1 ) Net cash used in investing activities (55.7 ) (96.4 ) FINANCING ACTIVITIES Net decrease in short-term borrowings (426.9 ) (22.3 ) Repayments of long-term debt (301.0 ) (0.7 ) Repurchases of common stock (84.1 ) (110.0 ) Common stock dividends (69.1 ) (58.8 ) Acquisition-related payments (4.6 ) (4.1 ) Distributions to noncontrolling interests (3.5 ) (2.9 ) Tax payments for employee shares withheld (0.4 ) (0.4 ) Exercise of stock options 1.0 0.0 Other financing activities (3.2 ) (0.3 ) Net cash used in financing activities (891.8 ) (199.5 ) Currency effect 16.4 (39.1 ) Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 89.7 $ 204.7 Cash Flow


 
Page 19 2017 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 FY 2017 Depreciation and amortization of fixed assets and intangible assets $ 41.0 $ 41.3 $ 42.2 $ 32.6 $ 157.1 Amortization of restricted stock and other non- cash compensation 29.7 16.3 13.8 22.2 82.0 Net amortization of bond discounts and deferred financing costs 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.6 5.8 2016 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 FY 2016 Depreciation and amortization of fixed assets and intangible assets $ 38.0 $ 39.8 $ 39.7 $ 42.7 $ 160.2 Amortization of restricted stock and other non- cash compensation 23.1 16.8 19.1 26.6 85.6 Net amortization of bond discounts and deferred financing costs 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 5.6 ($ in Millions) Depreciation and Amortization


 
Page 20 Components of Change Change Three Months Ended December 31, 2016 Foreign Currency Net Acquisitions / (Divestitures) Organic Change in Pass- Throughs Organic ex-PT Three Months Ended December 31, 2017 Organic Organic ex-PT Total Segment Revenue IAN $ 1,866.1 $ 22.4 $ (18.6 ) $ 61.8 $ (2.0 ) $ 63.8 $ 1,931.7 3.3 % 3.4 % 3.5 % CMG 398.4 5.5 (7.9 ) 13.3 20.8 (7.5 ) 409.3 3.3 % (1.9 %) 2.7 % Total $ 2,264.5 $ 27.9 $ (26.5 ) $ 75.1 $ 18.8 $ 56.3 $ 2,341.0 3.3 % 2.5 % 3.4 % Geographic Revenue United States $ 1,258.6 $ 0.0 $ (18.9 ) $ 46.3 $ 14.7 $ 31.6 $ 1,286.0 3.7 % 2.5 % 2.2 % International 1,005.9 27.9 (7.6 ) 28.8 4.1 24.7 1,055.0 2.9 % 2.5 % 4.9 % United Kingdom 200.4 8.1 2.4 (0.9 ) (3.0 ) 2.1 210.0 (0.4 %) 1.0 % 4.8 % Continental Europe 231.7 13.4 (4.2 ) 18.2 2.8 15.4 259.1 7.9 % 6.6 % 11.8 % Asia Pacific 305.3 3.7 0.1 (2.9 ) 5.4 (8.3 ) 306.2 (0.9 %) (2.7 %) 0.3 % Latin America 117.0 0.6 (6.8 ) 7.6 (0.5 ) 8.1 118.4 6.5 % 6.9 % 1.2 % All Other Markets 151.5 2.1 0.9 6.8 (0.6 ) 7.4 161.3 4.5 % 4.9 % 6.5 % Worldwide $ 2,264.5 $ 27.9 $ (26.5 ) $ 75.1 $ 18.8 $ 56.3 $ 2,341.0 3.3 % 2.5 % 3.4 % Expenses Salaries & Related $ 1,308.8 $ 20.5 $ (15.8 ) $ 12.3 $ 1,325.8 0.9 % 1.3 % Office & General 470.0 8.3 (8.8 ) 27.4 496.9 5.8 % 5.7 % Total $ 1,778.8 $ 28.8 $ (24.6 ) $ 39.7 $ 1,822.7 2.2 % 2.5 % ($ in Millions) Reconciliation of Organic Measures


 
Page 21 Components of Change Change Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2016 Foreign Currency Net Acquisitions / (Divestitures) Organic Change in Pass- Throughs Organic ex-PT Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2017 Organic Organic ex-PT Total Segment Revenue IAN $ 6,319.4 $ 6.5 $ (67.7 ) $ 139.1 $ (14.5 ) $ 153.6 $ 6,397.3 2.2 % 2.4 % 1.2 % CMG 1,527.2 (9.3 ) (32.6 ) (0.2 ) 6.2 (6.4 ) 1,485.1 0.0 % (0.4 %) (2.8 %) Total $ 7,846.6 $ (2.8 ) $ (100.3 ) $ 138.9 $ (8.3 ) $ 147.2 $ 7,882.4 1.8 % 1.9 % 0.5 % Geographic Revenue United States $ 4,684.8 $ 0.0 $ (71.4 ) $ 100.9 $ 4.9 $ 96.0 $ 4,714.3 2.2 % 2.0 % 0.6 % International 3,161.8 (2.8 ) (28.9 ) 38.0 (13.2 ) 51.2 3,168.1 1.2 % 1.6 % 0.2 % United Kingdom 695.7 (36.4 ) 14.9 7.6 (21.0 ) 28.6 681.8 1.1 % 4.1 % (2.0 %) Continental Europe 699.8 9.5 (17.5 ) 24.3 0.3 24.0 716.1 3.5 % 3.4 % 2.3 % Asia Pacific 923.0 3.0 2.5 (14.9 ) 7.8 (22.7 ) 913.6 (1.6 %) (2.5 %) (1.0 %) Latin America 372.7 14.9 (31.4 ) (0.3 ) 0.1 (0.4 ) 355.9 (0.1 %) (0.1 %) (4.5 %) All Other Markets 470.6 6.2 2.6 21.3 (0.4 ) 21.7 500.7 4.5 % 4.6 % 6.4 % Worldwide $ 7,846.6 $ (2.8 ) $ (100.3 ) $ 138.9 $ (8.3 ) $ 147.2 $ 7,882.4 1.8 % 1.9 % 0.5 % Expenses Salaries & Related $ 5,035.1 $ (4.1 ) $ (65.2 ) $ 102.3 $ 5,068.1 2.0 % 0.7 % Office & General 1,870.5 (2.5 ) (36.7 ) 9.4 1,840.7 0.5 % (1.6 %) Total $ 6,905.6 $ (6.6 ) $ (101.9 ) $ 111.7 $ 6,908.8 1.6 % 0.0 % ($ in Millions) Reconciliation of Organic Measures


 
(Amounts in Millions, except per share amounts) Page 22 Three Months Ended December 31, 2017 As Reported Net Losses on Sales of Businesses U.S. Federal Tax Credits Net Impact of U.S. Tax Reform Adjusted Results Income Before Income Taxes $ 498.8 $ (3.2 ) $ 502.0 Provision for Income Taxes 166.1 5.7 $ (31.2 ) $ 36.0 176.6 Effective Tax Rate 33.3 % 35.2 % Equity in Net Income of Unconsolidated Affiliates 0.8 0.8 Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests (16.9 ) (16.9 ) Net Income Available to IPG Common Stockholders $ 316.6 $ 2.5 $ (31.2 ) $ 36.0 $ 309.3 Weighted-Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding - Basic 385.1 385.1 Dilutive Effect of Stock Options and Restricted Shares 8.1 8.1 Weighted-Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding - Diluted 393.2 393.2 Earnings per Share Available to IPG Common Stockholders: Basic $ 0.82 $ 0.01 $ (0.08 ) $ 0.09 $ 0.80 Diluted $ 0.81 $ 0.01 $ (0.08 ) $ 0.09 $ 0.79 Reconciliation of Adjusted Results (1) (1) The following table reconciles our reported results to our adjusted non-GAAP results that exclude the net losses on sales of businesses, the reversal of the Q3 2017 benefit related to foreign tax credits, and the net impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Management believes the resulting comparisons provide useful supplemental data that, while not a substitute for GAAP measures, allow for greater transparency in the review of our financial and operational performance.


 
(Amounts in Millions, except per share amounts) Page 23 Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2017 As Reported Net Losses on Sales of Businesses Net Impact of U.S. Tax Reform Adjusted Results Income Before Income Taxes $ 876.0 $ (24.1 ) $ 900.1 Provision for Income Taxes 281.9 7.4 $ 36.0 325.3 Effective Tax Rate 32.2 % 36.1 % Equity in Net Income of Unconsolidated Affiliates 0.9 0.9 Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests (16.0 ) (16.0 ) Net Income Available to IPG Common Stockholders $ 579.0 $ (16.7 ) $ 36.0 $ 559.7 Weighted-Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding - Basic 389.6 389.6 Dilutive Effect of Stock Options and Restricted Shares 7.7 7.7 Weighted-Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding - Diluted 397.3 397.3 Earnings per Share Available to IPG Common Stockholders: Basic $ 1.49 $ (0.04 ) $ 0.09 $ 1.44 Diluted $ 1.46 $ (0.04 ) $ 0.09 $ 1.41 Reconciliation of Adjusted Results (1) (1) The following table reconciles our reported results to our adjusted non-GAAP results that exclude the net losses on sales of businesses and the net impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Management believes the resulting comparisons provide useful supplemental data that, while not a substitute for GAAP measures, allow for greater transparency in the review of our financial and operational performance.


 
(Amounts in Millions, except per share amounts) Page 24 Three Months Ended December 31, 2016 As Reported Net Losses on Sales of Businesses U.S. Federal Tax Credits Adjusted Results Income Before Income Taxes $ 441.1 $ (25.3 ) $ 466.4 Provision for Income Taxes 106.1 2.0 $ 37.4 145.5 Effective Tax Rate 24.1 % 31.2 % Equity in Net Income of Unconsolidated Affiliates 1.9 1.9 Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests (19.3 ) (19.3 ) Net Income Available to IPG Common Stockholders $ 317.6 $ (23.3 ) $ 37.4 $ 303.5 Weighted-Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding - Basic 393.5 393.5 Dilutive Effect of Stock Options and Restricted Shares 11.7 11.7 Weighted-Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding - Diluted 405.2 405.2 Earnings per Share Available to IPG Common Stockholders: Basic $ 0.81 $ (0.06 ) $ 0.10 $ 0.77 Diluted $ 0.78 $ (0.06 ) $ 0.09 $ 0.75 Reconciliation of Adjusted Results (1) (1) The following table reconciles our reported results to our adjusted non-GAAP results that exclude the net losses on sales of businesses and a benefit related to refunds to be claimed on future amended U.S. federal returns primarily related to foreign tax credits. The effect of the adoption of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Update 2016-09, which was previously included in this table in 2016, has now been removed as the effect of the adoption is included in both periods presented within this presentation. Management believes the resulting comparisons provide useful supplemental data that, while not a substitute for GAAP measures, allow for greater transparency in the review of our financial and operational performance.


 
(Amounts in Millions, except per share amounts) Page 25 Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2016 As Reported Net Losses on Sales of Businesses Valuation Allowance Reversals Settlement of Certain Tax Positions U.S. Federal Tax Credits Adjusted Results Income Before Income Taxes $ 830.2 $ (41.4 ) $ 871.6 Provision for Income Taxes 198.0 2.4 $ 12.2 $ 23.4 $ 44.6 280.6 Effective Tax Rate 23.8 % 32.2 % Equity in Net Income of Unconsolidated Affiliates 0.3 0.3 Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests (24.0 ) (24.0 ) Net Income Available to IPG Common Stockholders $ 608.5 $ (39.0 ) $ 12.2 $ 23.4 $ 44.6 $ 567.3 Weighted-Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding - Basic 397.9 397.9 Dilutive Effect of Stock Options and Restricted Shares 10.1 10.1 Weighted-Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding - Diluted 408.0 408.0 Earnings per Share Available to IPG Common Stockholders: Basic $ 1.53 $ (0.10 ) $ 0.03 $ 0.06 $ 0.11 $ 1.43 Diluted $ 1.49 $ (0.10 ) $ 0.03 $ 0.06 $ 0.11 $ 1.39 Reconciliation of Adjusted Results (1) (1) The following table reconciles our reported results to our adjusted non-GAAP results that exclude the net losses on sales of businesses, valuation allowance reversals as a result of the disposition of those businesses, the release of reserves related to the conclusion and settlement of a tax examination of previous tax years and a benefit related to refunds to be claimed on future amended U.S. federal returns primarily related to foreign tax credits. The effect of the adoption of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Update 2016-09, which was previously included in this table in 2016, has now been removed as the effect of the adoption is included in both periods presented within this presentation. Management believes the resulting comparisons provide useful supplemental data that, while not a substitute for GAAP measures, allow for greater transparency in the review of our financial and operational performance.


 
($ in Millions) Page 26 Acquisition Payment Obligations (1) (1) Amounts represent payments related to our previous acquisitions based on current estimates of financial performance and are subject to change. Amounts include deferred payments, payments we may be required to make in connection with our redeemable noncontrolling interests and call options with affiliates. With respect to redeemable noncontrolling interests and call options with affiliates, the estimated payment amounts are shown as an obligation in the earliest year in which they are exercisable, though some are eligible for exercise in multiple years. (2) 2017 payments included $47 recorded within Operating Activities in our Statement of Cash Flows. (2)


 
Metrics Update


 
Page 28 Category Metric REVENUE By Client Sector SALARIES & RELATED Twelve Months Ended (% of revenue) Base, Benefits & Tax Incentive Expense Severance Expense Temporary Help OFFICE & GENERAL Twelve Months Ended (% of revenue) Professional Fees Occupancy Expense (ex-D&A) T&E, Office Supplies & Telecom All Other O&G REAL ESTATE Total Square Feet FINANCIAL Available Liquidity $1.5 Billion 5-Year Credit Facility Covenants Metrics Update


 
Top 100 Clients for the twelve months ended December 31 Page 29 Revenue By Client Sector Approximately 60% of Consolidated Revenue


 
Page 30 Twelve Months Ended December 31 Salaries & Related Expenses


 
Page 31 Three and Twelve Months Ended December 31 Salaries & Related Expenses (% of Revenue) “All Other Salaries & Related,” not shown, was 3.0% and 3.9% for the three months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and 2.5% and 3.0% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. 2017 2016


 
Twelve Months Ended December 31 Page 32 Office & General Expenses


 
Three and Twelve Months Ended December 31 Page 33 2017 2016 “All Other O&G” primarily includes production expenses and, to a lesser extent, depreciation and amortization, bad debt expense, adjustments to contingent acquisition obligations, foreign currency losses (gains), spending to support new business activity, net restructuring and other reorganization-related charges (reversals), long-lived asset impairments and other expenses. Office & General Expenses (% of Revenue)


 
(Amounts in Millions) Page 34 Real Estate Total Square Feet as of December 31,


 
($ in Millions) Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Marketable Securities + Available Committed Credit Facility Page 35 Available Liquidity


 
($ in Millions) Page 36 Covenants Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2017 I. Interest Coverage Ratio (not less than): 5.00x Actual Interest Coverage Ratio: 17.99x II. Leverage Ratio (not greater than): 3.50x Actual Leverage Ratio: 1.12x Interest Expense Reconciliation Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2017 Interest Expense: $90.8 - Interest income 19.4 - Other 3.3 Net interest expense(1): $68.1 EBITDA Reconciliation Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2017 Operating Income: $973.6 + Depreciation and amortization(1) 251.2 EBITDA(1): $1,224.8 $1.5 Billion 5-Year Credit Facility Covenants (1) Calculated as defined in the Credit Agreement.


 
Page 37 This investor presentation contains forward-looking statements. Statements in this investor presentation that are not historical facts, including statements about management’s beliefs and expectations, constitute forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current plans, estimates and projections, and are subject to change based on a number of factors, including those outlined in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K under Item 1A, Risk Factors. Forward- looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update publicly any of them in light of new information or future events. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the following: ▪ potential effects of a challenging economy, for example, on the demand for our advertising and marketing services, on our clients’ financial condition and on our business or financial condition; ▪ our ability to attract new clients and retain existing clients; ▪ our ability to retain and attract key employees; ▪ risks associated with assumptions we make in connection with our critical accounting estimates, including changes in assumptions associated with any effects of a weakened economy; ▪ potential adverse effects if we are required to recognize impairment charges or other adverse accounting- related developments; ▪ risks associated with the effects of global, national and regional economic and political conditions, including counterparty risks and fluctuations in economic growth rates, interest rates and currency exchange rates; and ▪ developments from changes in the regulatory and legal environment for advertising and marketing and communications services companies around the world. Investors should carefully consider these factors and the additional risk factors outlined in more detail in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K under Item 1A, Risk Factors. Cautionary Statement