SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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FORM 8-K
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CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): February 11, 2002
The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc.
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(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
Delaware 1-6686 13-1024020
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(State or Other Jurisdiction (Commission File (IRS Employer
of Incorporation) Number) Identification No.)
1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 212-399-8000
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(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
Item 5. Other Events.
On February 11, 2002, The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. issued a
press release, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.
Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits
Exhibits.
Exhibit 99.1: Press Release of The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc., dated
February 11, 2002, announcing the resignation of four employees from its Board
of Directors and the addition of Michael Roth as a new member to its Board of
Directors.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF
COMPANIES, INC.
Date: February 12, 2002 By: /s/ Nicholas J. Camera
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Nicholas J. Camera
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, GENERAL
COUNSEL AND SECRETARY
Exhibit 99.1
THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES
WORLDWIDE ADVERTISING AND MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS
1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, N.Y. 10020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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INTERPUBLIC MOVES TOWARD INDEPENDENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The MONY Group CEO, Michael Roth, To Join Board;
David Bell, Jim Heekin, Frank Lowe and Brendan Ryan To Step Down
NEW YORK, NY (February 11, 2002) - In recognition of corporate governance "best
practices," The Interpublic Group of Companies (NYSE:IPG) announced today that
four of its executives would be leaving the company's Board of Directors.
Concurrently, Interpublic announced that it was adding Michael I. Roth, a
prominent leader from the financial services industry to the Board. All of these
moves will take effect immediately.
"The interests of Interpublic shareholders will be best served by a Board that
is primarily made up of independent, outside Directors," said John Dooner,
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "I want to thank David Bell, Jim Heekin,
Frank Lowe and Brendan Ryan, not only for their able service to the Board, but
for the continued contributions I know they will all make to the IPG companies
they head. Their selfless decision to step down at this time will result in a
Board whose composition is now consistent with that of other leading public
companies."
Mr. Dooner added that, "I am very excited that Michael Roth will be coming onto
our Board. His leadership has successfully transformed and invigorated The MONY
Group. He also played an important role at Primerica Corporation as its Chief
Financial Officer. As important, he's widely known as a business person with the
highest professional and ethical standards. His presence on the Board will be of
great value to us in ensuring strong governance in the financial area, as well
as in the broader management of our companies."
Going forward, the Interpublic Board of Directors will be made up of Mr. Dooner
and Sean Orr, the company's Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer, as well as seven independent outside Directors. They are: Frank J.
Borelli, former CFO of Marsh&McLennan, Inc., Reginald K. Brack, former Chairman
and CEO of Time Inc., Jill M. Considine, Chairman and CEO of The Depository
Trust & Clearing Company, Richard Goldstein, Chairman and CEO of International
Flavors and Fragrances, Inc., H. John Greeniaus, former Chairman and CEO of
Nabisco, Inc., Michael I. Roth and J. Phillip Samper, Managing Director at
Gabriel Venture Partners.
The Interpublic Group of Companies is among the world's largest advertising and
marketing services organizations. Its four global operating groups are the
McCann-Erickson World Group, The Partnership, FCB Group and Advanced Marketing
Services. Major brands include Draft Worldwide, Deutsch, Foote Cone & Belding
Worldwide, Golin/Harris International, Initiative Media, Lowe & Partners
Worldwide, McCann-Erickson, Octagon, Universal Media and Weber Shandwick.
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Contact Information
Media: Investors:
Philippe Krakowsky Susan Watson
(212) 399-8088 (212) 399-8208