Press Release

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 27, 2005--The Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG) announced today that it has created a new unit that will enhance the company's focus on marketing accountability and ROI. The company has tapped Neil Canter, 45, an experienced executive in the fields of marketing analytics and consulting as Managing Director of the group, which will be called MAP (Marketing Accountability Partnership) and will report directly to senior Interpublic management. In this new role, Mr. Canter will bring together and oversee all of the individuals and proprietary tools and techniques devoted to marketing analytics across all Interpublic companies.

"We regularly hear from our clients that they want a better understanding of the return they are getting from their marketing programs," said Interpublic Chairman and CEO Michael I. Roth. "MAP will be a significant resource in addressing this need for increased accountability. Neil has proven that he is a leader in developing the kinds of tools and insights that help maximize marketing investments. He and his team will work with all of our operating units, bringing together all of our capabilities in this vital area of our business."

Mr. Canter comes to Interpublic from Accenture, where he had been a Partner in the Marketing Sciences practice area. In this role, he was responsible for transforming the firm's project-based marketing ROI practice into a scalable practice in continuous marketing insight, integrating analytics, systems and process design. Before joining Accenture in January of 2004, Canter was President of the Analytic Insights Group at Information Resources, Inc. (IRI), a leading provider of syndicated data and analysis to the consumer packaged goods industry. His group, which focused on analytic consulting, in-market testing and consumer panel-based services, was the leading driver of the company's growth from 2000 through 2003. Prior to IRI, Canter was Principal, EVP and Chief Financial Officer of Marketing Management Analytics. In this role, he ran the analytics department for this start-up firm that pioneered marketing mix modeling as a tool for marketing accountability. While at MMA, Canter developed, implemented and brought to market the industry's first software-based marketing mix spending optimizer.

Canter, who holds both a B.S. in Operations Research and an M.B.A. from Cornell University, has also worked at A.C. Nielsen Company, as well as on the client side at Procter and Gamble, and on the agency side at N.W. Ayer. In more than two decades in the industry, he has worked with a broad range of global clients including Kraft, McDonald's, Unilever, Johnson & Johnson, AT&T and Citibank.

About Interpublic

Interpublic is one of the world's leading organizations of advertising agencies and marketing-services companies. Major global brands include Draft, Foote Cone & Belding Worldwide, FutureBrand, GolinHarris International, Initiative, Jack Morton Worldwide, Lowe Worldwide, MAGNA Global, McCann Erickson, Octagon, Universal McCann and Weber Shandwick. Leading domestic brands include Campbell-Ewald, Deutsch and Hill Holliday.

    CONTACT: The Interpublic Group
             General Inquiries:
             Julie Tu, 212-827-3776
             or
             Media, Analysts, Investors:
             Philippe Krakowsky, 212-704-1328
             or
             Analysts, Investors:
             Jerry Leshne, 212-704-1439

    SOURCE: The Interpublic Group