Press Release

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 18, 2005--The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (NYSE: IPG) (the "Company") today announced that it commenced a consent solicitation to seek certain amendments to indentures governing the following series of securities (the "Securities"):

Outstanding                                               Supplemental
 Principal                                                  Indenture
  Amount       Title of Securities      CUSIP   Indenture  dated as of
----------------------------------------------------------------------
             7.875% Senior Unsecured  460690AK6   2000
$250,000,000      Notes due 2005                Indenture     N/A

              7.25% Senior Unsecured  460690AR1   2000     August 22,
$500,000,000       Notes due 2011     U46064AB4 Indenture     2001
                                      460690AM2

             4.50% Convertible Senior 460690AT7   2000     March 13,
$800,000,000       Notes due 2023     460690AS9 Indenture    2003
                                      U46064AC2

              5.40% Senior Unsecured  460690AU4   2004    November 18,
$250,000,000      Notes due 2009                Indenture     2004

              6.25% Senior Unsecured  460690AV2   2004    November 18,
$350,000,000      Notes due 2014                Indenture     2004

As previously disclosed, Interpublic will be unable to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") by March 31, 2005 its Annual Report for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2004, and may also be unable to timely file with the SEC its subsequent Quarterly Reports for the three-month periods ending March 31, 2005 and June 30, 2005. As a result, Interpublic is soliciting securityholders for their consent to proposed amendments to the indentures governing the Securities that would give Interpublic until September 30, 2005 to become current in its reporting obligations and prevent certain defaults that would otherwise occur as a result of Interpublic's inability to file on time. The record date for the solicitation is March 9, 2005.

In consideration for noteholders' consents, Interpublic will pay to each record holder $2.50 for each $1,000 in principal amount of the Securities as to which Interpublic has received and accepted consents on the business day following the expiration date, or as promptly as practicable thereafter. If the Company has not filed its 2004 Annual Report by 5:30 p.m., New York City time, on June 30, 2005, the Company will pay to each record holder an additional $1.25 for each $1,000 in principal amount of the Securities as to which Interpublic has received and accepted consents prior to the expiration date.

The consent solicitation will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on March 28, 2005, unless extended with respect to any series. Interpublic will announce any extensions by press release no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, the day after expiration of the consent solicitation for that series of Securities. Securityholders may tender their consents to Interpublic at any time before the expiration date, but upon receipt by the Company of the consents of a majority of securityholders for any one series, those consents may not be revoked unless Interpublic fails to pay the securityholders pursuant to the solicitation.

The solicitation is subject to certain conditions and presents certain risks for holders who consent, as set forth more fully in the solicitation statement. These documents contain important information, and holders should read them carefully before making any decision.

Interpublic has retained Citigroup Global Markets Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and UBS Securities LLC to serve as solicitation agents for the solicitation, and Global Bondholder Services Corporation to serve as the information agent.

Copies of the solicitation and related documents may be obtained at no charge by contacting the information agent by telephone at (866) 470-3900 (toll-free) or (212) 430-3774, or in writing at 65 Broadway - Suite 704, New York, NY 10006.

Questions regarding the solicitation may be directed to: Citigroup Global Markets Inc. at (800) 558-3745 (toll-free) or (212) 723-6106 (collect), J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. at (866) 834-4666 (toll-free) or (212) 834-3424 (collect), and UBS Securities LLC at (888) 722-9555 ext. 4210 (toll-free) or (203) 719-4210 (collect).

This announcement is not a solicitation of consents with respect to any Securities. The solicitation is being made solely by the consent solicitation statement. In any jurisdiction where the laws require solicitations to be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the solicitation will be deemed to be made on behalf of Interpublic by the solicitation agents, or one or more registered broker dealers under the laws of such jurisdiction.

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, GolinHarris International, Initiative, Jack Morton Worldwide, Lowe & Partners Worldwide, MAGNA Global, McCann Erickson, Octagon, Universal McCann and Weber Shandwick. Leading domestic brands include Campbell-Ewald, Deutsch and Hill Holliday.

Cautionary Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Interpublic's representatives may also make forward-looking statements orally from time to time. 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 the heading "Risk Factors" in Interpublic's annual report on Form 10-K and in Interpublic's other SEC filings. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and Interpublic undertakes 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:

    --  Interpublic's ability to attract new clients and retain
        existing clients;

    --  Interpublic's ability to retain and attract key employees;

    --  risks associated with the effects of global, national and
        regional economic and political conditions, including with
        respect to fluctuations in interest rates and currency
        exchange rates;

    --  risks arising from material weaknesses in Interpublic's
        internal control over financial reporting;

    --  potential adverse effects if Interpublic is required to
        recognize additional impairment charges or other adverse
        accounting-related developments;

    --  risks associated with an inability to achieve lower costs and
        expenses as a result of Interpublic's restructuring program;

    --  potential adverse developments in connection with the ongoing
        SEC investigation;

    --  potential downgrades in the credit ratings of Interpublic's
        securities;

    --  development from changes in the regulatory and legal
        environment for advertising and marketing and communications
        services companies around the world; and

    --  the successful completion and integration of acquisitions
        which complement and expand Interpublic's business
        capabilities.

Investors should carefully consider these factors and the additional risk factors outlined in more detail under the heading "Risk Factors" in Interpublic's 2003 Form 10-K, September 2004 Form 10-Q and other SEC filings.

CONTACT: For The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc.
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 of Companies, Inc.