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Interpublic Announces Second Quarter and First Half Results

August 9, 2006 at 8:03 AM EDT

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 9, 2006--Interpublic (NYSE:IPG):

Summary:

    --  Revenue

        --  Second quarter 2006 revenue of $1.53 billion, compared to
            $1.61 billion the same period a year ago. First half 2006
            revenue of $2.86 billion, compared to $2.94 billion during
            the first six months of 2005.

        --  Organic revenue decrease of 3.1% compared to the second
            quarter of 2005, with approximately 2.7% of the decrease
            due to the timing of revenue recognition (primarily higher
            revenue deferrals from first to second quarter of 2005
            than in 2006). Increased spending by existing clients and
            new client wins this year offset prior year client losses,
            such that, for the first half of 2006, organic revenue
            increase was 0.5% relative to 2005.

    --  Operating and Net Results

        --  During the second quarter, operating expenses decreased to
            $1.46 billion in 2006 from $1.50 billion last year. For
            the first half, operating expenses declined to $2.94
            billion this year from $2.99 billion in 2005. In both
            cases, lower expenses reflect previously disclosed
            business dispositions, while in the second quarter an
            additional driver was lower professional fees.

        --  Operating income in the second quarter of 2006 was $76.9
            million, compared to $115.5 million in 2005. For the first
            half of 2006, operating loss was ($82.9) million, compared
            to ($53.6) million in 2005.

        --  Second quarter net income was $68.9 million and net income
            applicable to common shareholders was $46.9 million, or
            $0.11 per diluted share, compared to $3.5 million, or
            $0.01 per diluted share a year ago. Year-to-date, net loss
            applicable to common shareholders was ($125.1) million, or
            ($0.29) per share, lower than the net loss of ($147.2)
            million, or ($0.35) per share during the first half of
            2005.

"We've been clear that the bar on organic revenue would be high due to last year's client losses. Organic performance for the first half demonstrates that we've been successful in replacing these lost revenues through six months, which is a significant accomplishment that positions us well going forward. During the second quarter, we also saw the first indications of stepped-down professional fees, in line with our previous disclosure. A major focus for the balance of this year will be on managing costs and delivering margin improvement," said Michael I. Roth, Chairman and CEO of Interpublic. "Our CMG and McCann units are performing well and we are confident that the new directions we are taking with Draft FCB Group and Lowe will yield positive results. We believe that we remain on track to meet the 2008 turnaround goals outlined at Investor Day."

    Second Quarter 2006 Operating Results

    Revenue

Reported revenue of $1.53 billion in the second quarter of 2006 was down 4.8% compared with the year-ago period. During the quarter, the effect of foreign currency translation was positive 1.0%, the impact of net divestitures was negative 2.8% and the resulting organic decline in revenue was 3.1%. Of this organic decrease, approximately 2.7% was due to the timing of revenue recognition, more specifically higher revenue deferrals from first to second quarter of 2005, which did not occur to the same extent in 2006.

For the first six months of 2006, reported revenue was $2.86 billion, down 2.7% compared to the first half of last year. The effect of foreign currency translation in the second quarter was negative 0.3%, the impact of net divestitures was negative 2.8% and the resulting organic revenue increase was 0.5%.

For both the second quarter and first half of 2006, organic revenue growth was solid in the Asia Pacific and Latin American regions, and down moderately in continental Europe and the United Kingdom. In the United States, organic revenue was down in the quarter primarily affected by timing of revenue recognition and was essentially flat year-to-date, primarily reflecting increased spending from existing clients.

Operating Expenses

During the second quarter, salary and related expenses was $951.4 million, approximately flat compared to the same period in 2005. Adjusted for currency and the net effect of acquisitions/divestitures, salary and related expenses increased 0.9%. For the six months of 2006, salary and related expenses was $1.9 billion, a decrease of 1.4% compared to the same period in 2005. Adjusted for currency and the net effect of acquisitions/divestitures, salary and related expenses in the first half of 2006 increased 1.3%.

Compared to the same period in 2005, second quarter 2006 office and general expenses decreased 7.1% to $504.6 million. Adjusted for currency and the net effect of acquisitions/divestitures, office and general expenses decreased 3.6%, primarily reflecting lower professional fees, which declined from $67.9 million in the 2005 period to $48.6 million in the current quarter. For the first half of 2006, office and general expenses decreased 3.0% to $1.04 billion. Adjusted for currency and the net effect of acquisitions/divestitures, office and general expenses increased 1.7%, primarily reflecting higher occupancy expenses, in addition to software-related costs associated with upgrading financial systems and further developing shared services.

Non-Operating and Tax

Net interest expense in the second quarter of 2006 was flat compared to the same period in 2005. Other income in the quarter increased from $4.3 million in 2005 to $24.6 million in 2006, reflecting the gain on the sale of a non-strategic investment in Asia Pacific during the second quarter.

The provision for income tax in the second quarter of 2006 was $1.8 million, compared to $79.9 million in the same period of 2005, due to the release of a valuation allowance related primarily to a net operating loss carry-forward in a foreign jurisdiction and the release of tax reserves triggered by the resolution of prior period tax audit activities during the second quarter.

Balance Sheet

At June 30, 2006, cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled $1.58 billion, compared to $1.59 billion at June 30, 2005, and $1.63 billion at the end of the first quarter of this year. Total debt was $2.2 billion, as of both June 30 and March 31, 2006.

About Interpublic

Interpublic is one of the world's leading organizations of advertising agencies and marketing services companies. Major global brands include Draft FCB Group, FutureBrand, GolinHarris International, Initiative, Jack Morton Worldwide, Lowe Worldwide, MAGNA Global, McCann Erickson, Momentum, MRM, Octagon, Universal McCann and Weber Shandwick. Leading domestic brands include Campbell-Ewald, Carmichael Lynch, Deutsch, Hill Holliday, Mullen, The Martin Agency and R/GA.

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 in our 2005 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:

    --  risks arising from material weaknesses in our internal control
        over financial reporting, including material weaknesses in our
        control environment;

    --  potential adverse effects to our financial condition, results
        of operations or prospects as a result of our restatements of
        financial statements;

    --  our ability to satisfy certain reporting covenants under our
        indentures;

    --  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;

    --  potential adverse effects if we are required to recognize
        impairment charges or other adverse accounting-related
        developments;

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

    --  potential downgrades in the credit ratings of our securities;

    --  risks associated with the effects of global, national and
        regional economic and political conditions, including
        fluctuations in 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 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K under Item 1A, Risk Factors.



       THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   CONSOLIDATED SUMMARY OF EARNINGS
            SECOND QUARTER REPORT 2006 AND 2005 (UNAUDITED)
              (Amounts in Millions except Per Share Data)

                                 Three Months Ended June 30,
                                 ---------------------------
                                                               Fav.
                                                  2005       (Unfav.)
                                     2006       Restated    % Variance
                                 -------------------------------------
Revenue:
 United States                   $     867.4  $     924.0        (6.1)
 International                         665.5        686.7        (3.1)
                                 ------------  ----------- -----------
Total Revenue                        1,532.9      1,610.7        (4.8)
                                 ------------  ----------- -----------

Operating Expenses:
 Salaries and Related Expenses         951.4        953.7         0.2
 Office and General Expenses           504.6        543.4         7.1
 Restructuring Charges
  (Reversals)                             --         (1.9)        N/A
                                 ------------  ----------- -----------
Total Operating Expenses             1,456.0      1,495.2         2.6
                                 ------------  ----------- -----------

Operating Income                        76.9        115.5       (33.4)
                                 ------------  ----------- -----------

Expenses and Other Income:
 Interest Expense                      (52.0)       (42.2)
 Interest Income                        26.4         16.5
 Investment Impairments                 (0.3)        (3.6)
 Other Income                           24.6          4.3
                                 ------------  -----------
Total (Expenses) and Other
 Income                                 (1.3)       (25.0)
                                 ------------  -----------

Income before Provision for
 Income Taxes                           75.6         90.5
Provision for Income Taxes               1.8         79.9
                                 ------------  -----------
Income of Consolidated Companies        73.8         10.6
Income Applicable to Minority
 Interests, net of tax                  (6.2)        (3.7)
Equity in Net Income of
 Unconsolidated Affiliates, net
 of tax                                  1.3          2.3
                                 ------------  -----------
Net Income                              68.9          9.2

Dividends on Preferred Stock            11.9          5.0
Allocation to Participating
 Securities                             10.1          0.7
                                 ------------  -----------
Net Income Applicable to Common
 Stockholders                    $      46.9  $       3.5
                                 ============  ===========

Earnings Per Share of Common
 Stock:
Basic                            $      0.11  $      0.01
Diluted                          $      0.11  $      0.01
Weighted Average Number of
 Common Shares Outstanding:
Basic                                  426.6        424.8
Diluted                                494.3        429.6




       THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   CONSOLIDATED SUMMARY OF EARNINGS
            SECOND QUARTER REPORT 2006 AND 2005 (UNAUDITED)
              (Amounts in Millions except Per Share Data)


                                 Six Months Ended June 30,
                                 -------------------------
                                                               Fav.
                                                 2005        (Unfav.)
                                     2006       Restated    % Variance
                                 -------------------------------------
Revenue:
 United States                   $   1,642.9 $    1,662.1        (1.2)
 International                       1,217.0      1,276.8        (4.7)
                                 ------------- ----------- -----------
Total Revenue                        2,859.9      2,938.9        (2.7)
                                 ------------- ----------- -----------

Operating Expenses:
 Salaries and Related Expenses       1,902.1      1,928.8         1.4
 Office and General Expenses         1,040.3      1,072.5         3.0
 Restructuring Charges
  (Reversals)                            0.4         (8.8)        N/A
                                 ------------- ----------- -----------
Total Operating Expenses             2,942.8      2,992.5         1.7
                                 ------------- ----------- -----------

Operating Loss                         (82.9)       (53.6)      (54.7)
                                 ------------- ----------- -----------

Expenses and Other Income:
 Interest Expense                      (98.1)       (89.1)
 Interest Income                        52.3         31.4
 Investment Impairments                 (0.3)        (3.6)
 Other Income                           25.4         19.0
                                 ------------- -----------
Total (Expenses) and Other
 Income                                (20.7)       (42.3)
                                 ------------- -----------

Loss before Provision (Benefit)
 for Income Taxes                     (103.6)       (95.9)
Provision (Benefit) for Income
 Taxes                                  (7.0)        39.3
                                 ------------- -----------
Loss of Consolidated Companies         (96.6)      (135.2)
Income Applicable to Minority
 Interests, net of tax                  (6.0)        (4.9)
Equity in Net Income of
 Unconsolidated Affiliates, net
 of tax                                  1.3          2.9
                                 ------------- -----------
Net Loss                              (101.3)      (137.2)

Dividends on Preferred Stock            23.8         10.0
                                 ------------- -----------
Net Loss Applicable to Common
 Stockholders                    $    (125.1)$     (147.2)
                                 ============= ===========

Loss Per Share of Common Stock -
 Basic and Diluted               $     (0.29)$      (0.35)
Weighted Average Number of
 Common Shares Outstanding:
Basic and Diluted                      426.3        424.3

CONTACT: Interpublic
Philippe Krakowsky, 212-704-1328
or
Analysts, Investors:
Jerry Leshne, 212-704-1439

SOURCE: Interpublic