Press Release

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 29, 2005--The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (NYSE: IPG) (the "Company") today announced developments in its solicitation of consents to proposed amendments relating to the following series of debt securities (the "Securities"):

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

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

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

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

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

The proposed amendments provide, pursuant to the terms of the Company's consent solicitation dated March 18, 2005, that failure to comply with certain reporting covenants will not constitute a default under the indentures.

For the 7.875% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2005, the 7.25% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2011 and the 6.25% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2014, the Company announced that Supplemental Indentures with respect to each such series have been executed and the Effective Time was 9:00 p.m. on March 28, 2005. Consents delivered to the Company by record holders of Securities of these Series are irrevocable unless the Company fails to pay such holders pursuant to the terms of the solicitation. The Company's acceptance of consents for these Series is, however, conditioned on receipt of the requisite consents for all Series subject to the solicitation, subject to the Company's right to waive this condition.

The Company also extended the expiration date for the consent solicitation, which was March 28, 2005, to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on March 29, 2005, unless extended by the Company with respect to any series. Record holders may provide their consents to the Company at any time before the expiration date with respect to the series of securities they hold.

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

The Company 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 statement and related consent form 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 (800) 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 and related consent form. 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 the Company 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. Our representatives may also make forward-looking statements orally from time to time. Statements in this press 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 our 2003 Form 10-K and other SEC filings. 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:

• our ability to attract new clients and retain existing clients;
• our 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 our internal control over financial reporting;
• potential adverse effects to our financial condition, results of operations or prospects as a result of any required adjustments to prior period financial statements;
• risks associated with our inability to obtain certain waivers and amendments under our syndicated credit agreements;
• our ability to satisfy certain reporting covenants under our indentures by September 30, 2005;
• risks associated with our inability to obtain the requisite consents to amend the indentures;
• potential adverse effects if we are required to recognize additional impairment charges or other adverse accounting-related developments;
• risks associated with our inability to achieve lower costs and expenses as a result of our restructuring programs;
• potential adverse developments in connection with the ongoing SEC investigation;
• potential downgrades in the credit ratings of our securities;
• developments 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 our business capabilities.

Investors should carefully consider these factors and the additional risk factors outlined in more detail under the heading "Risk Factors" in our 2003 Form 10-K and other SEC filings.

CONTACT: 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.