Press Release

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 4, 2005--MAGNA Global Entertainment, a division of The Interpublic Group of Companies (NYSE: IPG) announced today that it has hired Sunta Izzicupo, a seasoned television executive to become Principal, MAGNA Global Programming. Ms. Izzicupo will report to Bill Cella, Chairman and CEO, MAGNA Global. She will be based in Los Angeles, and is tasked with creating original programming as a marketing platform for MAGNA's clients.

A 20-year veteran of the business, Izzicupo started her national television career in 1984 working with Leslie Moonves at 20th Century Fox, beginning a long and productive association with Moonves, now Co-President and Co-Chief Operating Officer of Viacom. In 1986, she joined Disney's Series Department for a year. She then returned to TV movies as Director of Movies and Miniseries at Lorimar. In 1989, Izzicupo joined the CBS TV Movie/Miniseries Department as Director of Development. Three years later she was promoted to VP of CBS Productions where she produced 20 films and several miniseries for CBS, ABC and Showtime. In 1995, she was tapped by Moonves to run the TV movie department. A year later, mini-series were added to her responsibilities. Working with the CBS movie and miniseries team, she supervised the production of 40-50 movies a year, managing a movie development budget of $65 million and a production budget of $150 million. Her work at CBS included several Emmy-Award winning miniseries such as "Buffalo Girls," based on Larry McMurtry's novel, "Mama Flora's Family," the third installment of Alex Haley's "Roots" Trilogy, "Joan of Arc" and "Jesus," a foreign co-production with RAI TV in Italy.

She left CBS in 2002, and since then has been an independent consultant. She was called in by CBS to oversee the production of the controversial mini-series "Hitler: The Rise of Evil" in Prague. The series went on to win several Emmy Awards, garnering a total of seven nominations including Best Picture.

Ms. Izzicupo's first job in the business was as a production assistant with Boston Television for several talk shows and public affairs programs at WSBK-TV and WNAC-TV.

"Having Sunta join our ranks at MAGNA Entertainment is a huge coup for us," commented Bill Cella, Chairman and CEO, MAGNA Global. "Sunta's experience in creating phenomenal, quality programming is unrivalled. Working with our team of producers, creatives and client services professionals, Sunta will deliver what clients need - customized, creative solutions that deliver measurable results for their brands."

About MAGNA Global Entertainment

The primary focus of MAGNA Global Entertainment (MGE) is to create television programming as a marketing platform that meets the needs of Interpublic clients. Less than three years old, MGE is already the industry leader in advertiser-supplied programming with 47 hours of original programming and 135 hours of total television on 6 networks for 13 clients. From reality to music specials, MGE has created projects in virtually every genre.

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 Worldwide. Leading domestic brands include Campbell-Ewald, Deutsch and Hill Holliday.

CONTACT: The Interpublic Group of Companies
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