Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

 

  x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2011

or

 

  ¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission file number: 1-6686

LOGO

THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware    13-1024020

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

  

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

1114 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10036

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(212) 704-1200

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes x     No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes x     No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer   x    Accelerated filer   ¨  
Non-accelerated filer   ¨    Smaller reporting company   ¨  
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)       

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes ¨     No x

The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of April 15, 2011 was 488,694,439.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

INDEX

 

    

Page No.

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION   

Item 1.

  Financial Statements (Unaudited)   
 

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2011 and 2010

   2
 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010

   3
 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2011 and 2010

   4
 

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Loss for the Three Months Ended
March 31, 2011 and 2010

   5
 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   7

Item 2.

  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    17

Item 3.

  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk    29

Item 4.

  Controls and Procedures    29
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION   

Item 1.

  Legal Proceedings    30

Item 1A.

  Risk Factors    30

Item 2.

  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds    30

Item 6.

  Exhibits    30

SIGNATURES

   31

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

   32

INFORMATION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING DISCLOSURE

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements. Statements in this report that are not historical facts, including statements about management’s beliefs and expectations, constitute forward-looking statements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “could,” “would,” “estimate,” “continue” or comparable terminology are intended to identify 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 Item 1A, Risk Factors, in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K. 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:

 

   

potential effects of a challenging economy, for example, on the demand for our advertising and marketing services, on our clients’ financial condition and on our business or financial condition;

 

   

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, including changes in assumptions associated with any effects of a weakened economy;

 

   

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

 

   

risks associated with the effects of global, national and regional economic and political conditions, including counterparty risks and fluctuations in economic growth rates, 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 under Item 1A, Risk Factors, in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K.


Table of Contents

Part I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)

THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Amounts in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three months ended
March 31,
 
     2011     2010  

REVENUE

   $ 1,474.8      $ 1,337.0   
                

OPERATING EXPENSES:

    

Salaries and related expenses

     1,080.1        979.3   

Office and general expenses

     439.2        416.8   

Restructuring and other reorganization-related charges, net

     0.8        0.3   
                

Total operating expenses

     1,520.1        1,396.4   
                

OPERATING LOSS

     (45.3     (59.4
                

EXPENSES AND OTHER INCOME:

    

Interest expense

     (31.9     (32.6

Interest income

     8.3        6.5   

Other (expense) income, net

     (6.1     0.5   
                

Total (expenses) and other income

     (29.7     (25.6
                

Loss before income taxes

     (75.0     (85.0

Benefit of income taxes

     (21.5     (15.3
                

Loss of consolidated companies

     (53.5     (69.7

Equity in net income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates

     0.3        (0.6
                

NET LOSS

     (53.2     (70.3

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

     8.0        5.7   
                

NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO IPG

     (45.2     (64.6

Dividends on preferred stock

     (2.9     (6.9
                

NET LOSS AVAILABLE TO IPG COMMON STOCKHOLDERS

   $ (48.1   $ (71.5
                

Loss per share available to IPG common stockholders – basic and diluted

   $ (0.10   $ (0.15

Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding – basic and diluted

     476.0        471.3   

Dividends declared per common share

   $ 0.06      $ 0.00   

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Amounts in Millions)

(Unaudited)

 

      March 31,
2011
    December 31,
2010
 

ASSETS:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 1,840.2      $ 2,675.7   

Marketable securities

     14.1        13.7   

Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $63.4 and $63.1

     3,995.4        4,317.6   

Expenditures billable to clients

     1,357.8        1,217.1   

Other current assets

     266.6        229.4   
                

Total current assets

     7,474.1        8,453.5   

Furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements, net of accumulated

    

depreciation of $1,181.8 and $1,147.1

     445.5        454.3   

Deferred income taxes

     398.9        334.2   

Goodwill

     3,407.7        3,368.5   

Other non-current assets

     451.0        460.3   
                

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 12,177.2      $ 13,070.8   
                

LIABILITIES:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 4,010.6      $ 4,474.5   

Accrued liabilities

     2,733.6        3,112.7   

Short-term borrowings

     116.2        114.8   

Current portion of long-term debt

     452.4        38.9   
                

Total current liabilities

     7,312.8        7,740.9   

Long-term debt

     1,165.9        1,583.3   

Deferred compensation

     477.0        486.1   

Other non-current liabilities

     402.8        402.4   
                

TOTAL LIABILITIES

     9,358.5        10,212.7   
                

Redeemable noncontrolling interests (see Note 4)

     285.9        291.2   

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

    

Preferred stock

     221.5        221.5   

Common stock

     47.7        47.5   

Additional paid-in capital

     2,436.0        2,456.8   

Accumulated deficit

     (108.9     (63.7

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax

     (73.8     (119.0
                
     2,522.5        2,543.1   

Less: Treasury stock

     (24.6     (14.1
                

Total IPG stockholders’ equity

     2,497.9        2,529.0   

Noncontrolling interests

     34.9        37.9   
                

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

     2,532.8        2,566.9   
                

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

   $ 12,177.2      $ 13,070.8   
                

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Amounts in Millions)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three months ended
March 31,
 
     2011     2010  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

    

Net loss

   $ (53.2   $ (70.3

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization of fixed assets and intangible assets

     35.6        37.4   

Provision for uncollectible receivables

     3.5        1.1   

Amortization of restricted stock and other non-cash compensation

     15.7        13.7   

Net amortization of bond premiums and deferred financing costs

     (1.9     (1.0

Deferred income tax benefit

     (53.0     (38.7

Other

     10.2        10.9   

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and dispositions, providing (using) cash:

    

Accounts receivable

     369.4        271.6   

Expenditures billable to clients

     (123.2     (39.1

Other current assets

     (28.6     (26.5

Accounts payable

     (429.6     (347.8

Accrued liabilities

     (523.8     (340.7

Other non-current assets and liabilities

     (22.8     (26.1
                

Net cash used in operating activities

     (801.7     (555.5
                

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

    

Capital expenditures

     (16.9     (9.4

Proceeds from sales of businesses and investments, net of cash sold

     2.4        30.1   

Acquisitions, including deferred payments, net of cash acquired

     (2.1     (5.6

Other investing activities

     (0.2     (2.1
                

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

     (16.8     13.0   
                

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

    

Repurchase of common stock

     (10.5     0.0   

Common stock dividends

     (28.5     0.0   

Exercise of stock options

     8.4        0.0   

Preferred stock dividends

     (2.9     (6.9

Net decrease in short-term bank borrowings

     (5.0     (7.8

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

     (3.1     (4.5

Other financing activities

     (3.8     3.0   
                

Net cash used in financing activities

     (45.4     (16.2
                

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     28.4        (7.7
                

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (835.5     (566.4

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     2,675.7        2,495.2   
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 1,840.2      $ 1,928.8   
                

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(Amounts in Millions)

(Unaudited)

 

    Preferred
Stock
    Common Stock     Additional Paid-
In Capital
    Accumulated
Deficit
    Accumulated Other
Comprehensive

Loss, Net of Tax
    Treasury
Stock
    Total IPG
Stockholders’

Equity
    Noncontrolling
Interests
    Total
Stockholders’

Equity
 
      Shares     Amount                

Balance at December 31, 2010

  $ 221.5        489.5      $ 47.5      $ 2,456.8      $ (63.7   $ (119.0   $ (14.1   $ 2,529.0      $ 37.9      $ 2,566.9   
                                     

Net loss

            (45.2         (45.2     (8.0     (53.2

Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax

              43.5          43.5        0.2        43.7   

Changes in market value of securities available-for-sale, net of tax

              0.5          0.5          0.5   

Unrecognized losses, transition obligation and prior service cost, net of tax

              1.2          1.2          1.2   
                                     

Total comprehensive loss

                $ 0.0      $ (7.8   $ (7.8
                                     

Reclassifications related to redeemable noncontrolling interests

                    11.2        11.2   

Noncontrolling interest transactions

          (0.1           (0.1     (3.2     (3.3

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

                    (3.1     (3.1

Change in redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interests

          (9.4           (9.4       (9.4

Repurchase of common stock

                (10.5     (10.5       (10.5

Common stock dividends

          (28.5           (28.5       (28.5

Preferred stock dividends

          (2.9           (2.9       (2.9

Stock-based compensation

          15.9              15.9          15.9   

Exercise of stock options

      0.9        0.1        8.4              8.5          8.5   

Restricted stock, net of forfeitures

      0.4        0.1        (6.3           (6.2       (6.2

Other

      0.1        0.0        2.1              2.1        (0.1     2.0   
                                                                               

Balance at March 31, 2011

  $ 221.5        490.9      $ 47.7      $ 2,436.0      $ (108.9   $ (73.8   $ (24.6   $ 2,497.9      $ 34.9      $ 2,532.8   
                                                                               

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS – (CONTINUED)

(Amounts in Millions)

(Unaudited)

 

    Preferred
Stock
    Common Stock     Additional Paid-
In Capital
    Accumulated
Deficit
    Accumulated Other
Comprehensive

Loss, Net of Tax
    Treasury
Stock
    Total IPG
Stockholders’

Equity
    Noncontrolling
Interests
    Total
Stockholders’

Equity
 
    Shares     Amount                

Balance at December 31, 2009

  $ 525.0        486.5      $ 47.1      $ 2,441.0      $ (324.8   $ (176.6   $ (14.0   $ 2,497.7      $ 38.6      $ 2,536.3   
                                     

Net loss

            (64.6         (64.6     (5.7     (70.3

Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax

              (15.2       (15.2     (0.1     (15.3

Changes in market value of securities available-for-sale, net of tax

              0.1          0.1          0.1   

Unrecognized losses, transition obligation and prior service cost, net of tax

              1.0          1.0          1.0   
                                     

Total comprehensive loss

                $ (78.7   $ (5.8   $ (84.5
                                     

Reclassifications related to redeemable noncontrolling interests

                    12.8        12.8   

Noncontrolling interest transactions

          (0.2           (0.2     (0.1     (0.3

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

                    (4.5     (4.5

Change in redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interests

          (2.3           (2.3       (2.3

Preferred stock dividends

          (6.9           (6.9       (6.9

Stock-based compensation

          15.7              15.7          15.7   

Restricted stock, net of forfeitures

      (0.4     0.1        (3.3           (3.2       (3.2

Other

      0.1        0.0        1.9            (0.1     1.8        (0.4     1.4   
                                                                               

Balance at March 31, 2010

  $ 525.0        486.2      $ 47.2      $ 2,445.9      $ (389.4   $ (190.7   $ (14.1   $ 2,423.9      $ 40.6      $ 2,464.5   
                                                                               

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Amounts in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

Note 1: Basis of Presentation

The unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared by The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company,” “IPG,” “we,” “us” or “our”) in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for reporting interim financial information on Form 10-Q. Accordingly, they do not include certain information and disclosures required for complete financial statements. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires us to make judgments, assumptions and estimates that affect the amounts reported and disclosed. Actual results could differ from these estimates and assumptions. The consolidated results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year and should be read in conjunction with our 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

In the opinion of management, these unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements include all adjustments of a normal and recurring nature necessary for a fair statement of the information for each period contained therein. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period financial statements to conform to the current period presentation.

During the first quarter of 2011, we changed the classification of taxes assessed by governmental authorities that are directly imposed on our revenue-producing transactions from a gross to a net basis in a country. This change, which was applied retrospectively and does not change previously reported operating loss or net loss, decreased revenue and office and general expense by $6.6 and $4.3 for the quarters ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. We believe this presentation better aligns the Company’s internal financial and operational management reporting as well as increases consistency in our external reporting across the countries in which we operate.

Note 2: Debt and Credit Arrangements

Long-Term Debt

A summary of the carrying amounts and fair values of our long-term debt is listed below.

 

          March 31,
2011
    December 31,
2010
 
    Effective
Interest  Rate
    Book
Value
    Fair
Value 2
    Book
Value
    Fair
Value 2
 

7.25% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2011

    7.25 %1    $ 36.3      $ 36.6      $ 36.3      $ 37.0   

6.25% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2014 (less unamortized discount of $0.4)

    6.29 %1      352.7        382.4        353.3        378.0   

10.00% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2017 (less unamortized discount of $10.3)

    10.38     589.7        714.0        589.4        705.0   

4.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2023 (plus unamortized premium of $4.4)

    3.50     204.4        252.9        205.0        235.0   

4.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2023 (plus unamortized premium of $13.8)

    0.58     413.8        461.6        417.4        444.4   

Other notes payable and capitalized leases

      21.4          20.8     
                     

Total long-term debt

      1,618.3          1,622.2     

Less: current portion 3

      452.4          38.9     
                     

Long-term debt, excluding current portion

    $ 1,165.9        $ 1,583.3     
                     

 

1

Excludes the effect of related gains/losses on interest rate swaps.

 

2

Fair values are derived from trading quotes by institutions making a market in the securities and estimations of value by those institutions using proprietary models.

 

3 

On March 15, 2012, holders of our 4.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2023 (the “4.25% Notes”) may require us to repurchase their notes for cash at par and as such, we included these notes in the current portion of long-term debt on our March 31, 2011 unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheet. Any 4.25% Notes not repurchased on March 15, 2012 will be reclassified to long-term debt.

 

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Table of Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

(Amounts in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

Interest Rate Swaps

In March 2011, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement related to our 6.25% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2014 (the “2014 Notes”) to convert $100.0 notional amount of our $350.0 2014 Notes from fixed rate to floating rate debt. In April 2011, we entered into an additional interest rate swap agreement related to the 2014 Notes to convert an additional $100.0 notional amount of our 2014 Notes from fixed rate to floating rate debt.

We enter into interest rate swaps for risk management purposes to manage our exposure to changes in interest rates. The interest rate swap agreements mature on November 15, 2014, coinciding with the maturity of the 2014 Notes. We pay a variable interest rate based upon the three-month U.S. LIBOR rate plus a fixed spread and receive a fixed interest rate of 6.25%. The variable interest rate is reset quarterly, and we make our interest payments semi-annually on May 15th and November 15th. We receive fixed payments semi-annually on May 15th and November 15th. These interest rate swap agreements qualify for hedge accounting as fair value hedges. We evaluate the appropriateness of hedge accounting at inception and throughout the hedge period.

The following table presents the fair value of our interest rate swap agreement and related debt and the associated gains/(losses) recognized in net loss due to changes in fair value of our interest rate swap agreement and the underlying debt.

 

    

Consolidated Balance Sheet

 
March 31, 2011   

Caption

   Fair value  

Interest rate swap agreements

   Other non-current liabilities    $ 0.3   

Hedged debt

   Long-term debt      (0.3
    

Consolidated Statement of Operations

 

Three months ended

March 31, 2011

  

Caption

   Gains / (losses)
recognized in net loss
 
     

Interest rate swap agreements

   Other (expense) income, net    $ (0.3

Hedged debt

   Other (expense) income, net      0.3   

Credit Facilities

We maintain a committed corporate credit facility to increase our financial flexibility. The credit facility is a revolving facility expiring July 18, 2013, under which amounts borrowed by us or any of our subsidiaries designated under the credit facility may be repaid and reborrowed, subject to an aggregate lending limit of $650.0 or the equivalent in other currencies. The aggregate available amount of letters of credit outstanding may decrease or increase, subject to a limit on letters of credit of $200.0 or the equivalent in other currencies. Our obligations under the credit facility are unsecured. We have not drawn on any of our corporate credit facilities since 2003, although we use them for letters of credit primarily to support obligations of our subsidiaries.

We were in compliance with all of our covenants in the credit facility as of March 31, 2011.

Note 3: Loss Per Share

The following sets forth basic and diluted loss per common share available to IPG common stockholders.

 

     Three months ended
March 31,
 
          2011               2010       

Net loss available to IPG common stockholders

   $ (48.1   $ (71.5

Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding – basic and diluted

     476.0        471.3   

Loss per share available to IPG common stockholders – basic and diluted

   $ (0.10   $ (0.15

 

8


Table of Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

(Amounts in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

Basic and diluted shares outstanding and loss per share are equal for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 because our potentially dilutive securities are antidilutive as a result of the net loss available to IPG common stockholders in each period presented. The following table presents the potential shares excluded from the diluted loss per share calculation because the effect of including these potential shares would be antidilutive.

 

     Three months ended
March 31,
 
          2011                2010       

Restricted stock, stock options and other equity awards

     13.3         10.8   

4.75% Notes

     16.1         16.1   

4.25% Notes

     32.2         32.2   

Preferred stock outstanding

     16.2         38.4   
                 

Total

     77.8         97.5   
                 

Also excluded from the diluted loss per share calculation for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 were 8.1 and 20.7, respectively, of outstanding stock options whose exercise price was greater than the average market price. In any period in which the exercise price is less than the average market price, these options have the potential to be dilutive, though the application of the treasury stock method would reduce this amount.

Note 4: Supplementary Data

Accrued Liabilities

The following table presents the components of accrued liabilities.

 

     March 31,
2011
     December 31,
2010
 

Media and production expenses

   $ 2,115.0       $ 2,332.2   

Salaries, benefits and related expenses

     326.4         470.0   

Office and related expenses

     56.3         62.0   

Acquisition obligations

     69.6         63.5   

Interest

     24.4         41.5   

Professional fees

     22.2         24.6   

Other

     119.7         118.9   
                 

Total accrued liabilities

   $ 2,733.6       $ 3,112.7   
                 

2004 Restatement Liabilities

As part of the restatement we presented in our 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “2004 Restatement”), we recognized liabilities related to vendor discounts and credits where we had a contractual or legal obligation to rebate such amounts to our clients or vendors. Reductions to these liabilities are achieved through settlements with clients and vendors, but also may occur if the applicable statute of limitations in a jurisdiction has lapsed. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, we had vendor discounts and credit liabilities of $85.6 and $82.5, respectively, related to the 2004 Restatement.

 

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Table of Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

(Amounts in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

Other (Expense) Income, net

Results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 include certain items which are not directly associated with our revenue-producing operations.

 

     Three months ended
March 31,
 
     2011     2010  

(Losses) gains on sales of businesses and investments

   $ (6.6   $ 0.2   

Other income, net

     0.5        0.3   
                

Total other (expense) income, net

   $ (6.1   $ 0.5   
                

Sales of Businesses and Investments – During the three months ended March 31, 2011, we recognized a loss relating to the sale of a business in the domestic market within our Integrated Agency Networks (“IAN”) segment.

Share Repurchase Program

On February 24, 2011 our Board of Directors (the “Board”) authorized a program to repurchase from time to time up to $300.0 of our common stock. We may effect such repurchases through open market purchases, trading plans established in accordance with SEC rules, derivative transactions or other means. The timing and amount of repurchases under the authorization will depend on market conditions and our other funding requirements. The share repurchase program has no expiration date. During the period from the Board’s authorization through March 31, 2011, we repurchased 0.9 shares at an average price of $12.36 per share and an aggregate cost of $10.5.

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

The following table presents changes in our redeemable noncontrolling interests.

 

     Three months ended
March 31,
 
     2011     2010  

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 291.2      $ 277.8   

Noncontrolling interest balance related to redeemable noncontrolling interests

     (11.2     (12.8

Changes in redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interests:

    

Additions

     3.6        2.4   

Redemptions and reclassifications

     (7.4     (16.7

Redemption value adjustments 1

     9.7        4.4   
                

Balance at end of period

   $ 285.9      $ 255.1   
                

 

1 Redeemable noncontrolling interests are reported at their estimated redemption value in each reporting period, but not less than their initial fair value. Any adjustment to the redemption value impacts additional paid-in capital, except adjustments as a result of currency translation.

Note 5: Income Taxes

For the three months ended March 31, 2011, our effective tax rate of 28.7% was negatively impacted by losses in certain foreign locations for which we receive no benefit due to 100% valuation allowances and the establishment of a valuation allowance in the United Kingdom. Our effective tax rate was positively impacted due to tax efficiencies from entity consolidation in the Asia Pacific region and the loss relating to the sale of a business in the domestic market.

We have various tax years under examination by tax authorities in various countries, such as the United Kingdom, and in various states, such as New York, in which we have significant business operations. It is not yet known whether these

 

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Table of Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

(Amounts in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

examinations will, in the aggregate, result in our paying additional taxes. We believe our tax reserves are adequate in relation to the potential for additional assessments in each of the jurisdictions in which we are subject to taxation. We regularly assess the likelihood of additional tax assessments in those jurisdictions and, if necessary, adjust our reserves as additional information or events require.

With respect to all tax years open to examination by U.S. federal and various state, local and non-U.S. tax authorities, we currently anticipate that total unrecognized tax benefits will decrease by an amount between $5.0 and $15.0 in the next twelve months, a portion of which will affect the effective tax rate, primarily as a result of the settlement of tax examinations and the lapsing of statutes of limitations. This net decrease is related to various items of income and expense, primarily transfer pricing adjustments.

We are effectively settled with respect to U.S. income tax audits for years prior to 2007. With limited exceptions, we are no longer subject to state and local income tax audits for years prior to 1999, or non-U.S. income tax audits for years prior to 2000.

Note 6: Incentive Compensation Plans

We issue stock-based compensation and cash awards to our employees under a plan established by the Compensation and Leadership Talent Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”) and approved by our shareholders.

We issued the following stock-based awards under the 2009 Performance Incentive Plan (the “2009 PIP”) during the three months ended March 31, 2011.

 

     Awards      Weighted-average
grant-date fair value
(per award)
 

Stock options

     0.7       $ 4.73   

Stock-settled awards

     0.6       $ 12.94   

Performance-based awards

     1.4       $ 11.87   
           

Total stock-based compensation awards

     2.7      
           

During the three months ended March 31, 2011, the Compensation Committee granted performance cash awards of $70.6 under the 2009 PIP. Of this amount, awards with a total target value of $31.6 will be settled in shares upon vesting, which is three years from the grant date. The number of shares to be settled on the vesting date will be calculated as the cash value adjusted for performance divided by our stock price on the vesting date. The remaining awards will be amortized over the vesting period, typically three years.

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

(Amounts in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

Note 7: Employee Benefits

We have a domestic pension plan which covers certain U.S. employees. We also have numerous foreign pension plans outside the U.S., some of which are funded, while others provide payments at the time of retirement or termination under applicable labor laws or agreements. Some of our domestic and foreign agencies also provide postretirement benefits to eligible employees and their dependents. Certain immaterial foreign pension and postretirement plans have been excluded from the table below. The components of net periodic cost for the domestic pension plan, the principal foreign pension plans and the postretirement benefit plan are listed below.

 

     Domestic Pension Plan      Foreign Pension Plans      Postretirement Benefit
Plan
 

Three months ended March 31,

     2011          2010          2011          2010          2011          2010    

Service cost

   $ 0.0       $ 0.0       $ 2.2       $ 3.2       $   0.1       $   0.1   

Interest cost

     1.7         1.8         5.8         5.9         0.7         0.8   

Expected return on plan assets

     (1.8      (1.6      (4.7      (4.4      0.0         0.0   

Settlement losses

     0.0         0.0         0.0         0.4         0.0         0.0   

Amortization of:

                 

Prior service cost

     0.0         0.0         0.0         0.1         0.0         0.0   

Unrecognized actuarial losses

     1.7         2.3         0.2         0.5         0.0         0.0   
                                                     

Net periodic cost

   $ 1.6       $ 2.5       $ 3.5       $ 5.7       $ 0.8       $ 0.9   
                                                     

During the three months ended March 31, 2011, we contributed $11.7 of cash to our domestic pension plan and $5.8 of cash to our foreign pension plans. For the remainder of 2011, we expect to contribute approximately $2.4 and $19.0 of cash to our domestic and foreign pension plans, respectively.

Note 8: Segment Information

We have two reportable segments: IAN, which is comprised of McCann Worldgroup, Draftfcb, Lowe, Mediabrands and our domestic integrated agencies, and Constituency Management Group (“CMG”), which is comprised of a number of our specialist marketing services offerings. We also report results for the “Corporate and other” group. The profitability measure employed by our chief operating decision maker for allocating resources to operating divisions and assessing operating division performance is operating income (loss), excluding the impact of restructuring and other reorganization-related charges, net and long-lived asset impairment and other charges, if applicable. Other than certain reclassifications, the segment information is presented consistently with the basis described in our 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

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Table of Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

(Amounts in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

Summarized financial information concerning our reportable segments is shown in the following table.

 

     Three months ended
March 31,
 
     2011     2010  

Revenue:

    

IAN

   $ 1,235.9      $ 1,109.2   

CMG

     238.9        227.8   
                

Total

   $ 1,474.8      $ 1,337.0   
                

Segment operating income (loss):

    

IAN

   $ (21.4   $ (33.3

CMG

     10.7        7.7   

Corporate and other

     (33.8     (33.5
                

Total

     (44.5     (59.1
                

Restructuring and other reorganization-related charges, net

     (0.8     (0.3

Interest expense

     (31.9     (32.6

Interest income

     8.3        6.5   

Other (expense) income, net

     (6.1     0.5   
                

Loss before income taxes

   $ (75.0   $ (85.0
                

Depreciation and amortization of fixed assets and intangible assets:

    

IAN

   $ 29.3      $ 28.7   

CMG

     3.1        3.6   

Corporate and other

     3.2        5.1   
                

Total

   $ 35.6      $ 37.4   
                

Capital expenditures:

    

IAN

   $ 14.0      $ 8.6   

CMG

     1.3        0.3   

Corporate and other

     1.6        0.5   
                

Total

   $ 16.9      $ 9.4   
                
     March 31,
2011
    December 31,
2010
 

Total assets:

    

IAN

   $ 10,271.3      $ 10,481.7   

CMG

     930.3        930.5   

Corporate and other

     975.6        1,658.6   
                

Total

   $ 12,177.2      $ 13,070.8   
                

 

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Table of Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

(Amounts in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

Note 9: Fair Value Measurements

Authoritative guidance for fair value measurements establishes a fair value hierarchy that requires us to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. We primarily apply the market approach for recurring fair value measurements. There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

 

Level 1    Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. An active market for the asset or liability is a market in which transactions for the asset or liability occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.
Level 2    Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
Level 3    Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

There were no changes to our valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of assets and liabilities on a recurring basis during the three months ended March 31, 2011. The following tables present information about our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2011 and March 31, 2010, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized to determine such fair value.

 

     March 31, 2011      
     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total    

Balance Sheet Classification

Assets

          

Cash equivalents

   $ 1,100.2      $ 0.0      $ 0.0      $ 1,100.2      Cash and cash equivalents

Short-term marketable securities

     14.1        0.0        0.0        14.1      Marketable securities

Long-term investments

     1.4        13.9        0.0        15.3      Other assets
                                  

Total

   $ 1,115.7      $ 13.9      $ 0.0      $ 1,129.6     
                                  

As a percentage of total assets

     9.2     0.1     0.0     9.3  

Liabilities

          

Interest rate swap agreements 1

   $ 0.0      $ 0.3      $ 0.0      $ 0.3      Other non-current liabilities

Mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests 2

     0.0        0.0        57.9        57.9     
     March 31, 2010      
     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total    

Balance Sheet Classification

Assets

          

Cash equivalents

   $ 1,239.1      $ 0.0      $ 0.0      $ 1,239.1      Cash and cash equivalents

Short-term marketable securities

     12.7        0.0        0.0        12.7      Marketable securities

Long-term investments

     1.3        13.8        0.0        15.1      Other assets

Foreign currency derivatives 3

     0.0        0.0        0.6        0.6      Other assets
                                  

Total

   $ 1,253.1      $ 13.8      $ 0.6      $ 1,267.5     
                                  

As a percentage of total assets

     11.0     0.1     0.0     11.1  

Liabilities

          

Mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests 2

   $ 0.0      $ 0.0      $ 63.5      $ 63.5     

 

1 Our interest rate swap agreements are fair value hedges whose fair value was derived from the present value of future cash flows using valuation models that were based on readily observable market data such as interest rates and yield curves.

 

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Table of Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

(Amounts in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

2 Relates to unconditional obligations to purchase additional noncontrolling equity shares of consolidated subsidiaries. Fair value measurement of the obligation was based upon the amount payable as if the forward contracts were settled. The amount redeemable within the next twelve months is classified in accrued liabilities; any interests redeemable thereafter are classified in other non-current liabilities.
3 Fair value is derived from changes in market value of obligations denominated in foreign currency based on an internal valuation model.

The following tables present additional information about assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and for which we utilize Level 3 inputs to determine fair value.

 

     Three months ended
March 31, 2011
    Three months ended
March 31, 2010
 
     Liabilities     Assets      Liabilities  
     Mandatorily redeemable
noncontrolling interests
    Foreign currency
derivatives
     Mandatorily redeemable
noncontrolling interests
 

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 52.0      $ 0.6       $ 47.8   

Level 3 additions

     7.4        0.0         15.8   

Level 3 reductions

     (1.5     0.0         0.0   

Realized gains included in net loss

     0.1        0.0         0.1   

Foreign currency translation

     0.1        0.0         0.0   
                         

Balance at end of period

   $ 57.9      $ 0.6       $ 63.5   
                         

Level 3 additions relate to unconditional obligations to purchase additional equity interests in previous acquisitions for cash in future periods. Level 3 reductions relate to cash payments made for unconditional obligations to purchase additional equity interests in previous acquisitions. Realized gains included in net loss for mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests are reported as a component of interest expense in the unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Note 10: Commitments and Contingencies

Legal Matters

We are involved in legal proceedings, and subject to investigations, inspections, audits, inquiries and similar actions by governmental authorities, arising in the normal course of our business. While any litigation or such governmental proceeding contains an element of uncertainty, we do not believe that the outcome of such proceedings will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Guarantees

As discussed in our 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K, we have guarantees of certain obligations of our subsidiaries relating principally to credit facilities, certain media payables and operating leases of certain subsidiaries. The amount of parent company guarantees on lease obligations was $364.0 and $376.8 as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, and the amount of parent company guarantees primarily relating to credit facilities was $332.0 and $395.0 as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

Note 11: Recent Accounting Standards

Goodwill

In December 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued amended guidance for performing goodwill impairment tests, which was effective for us January 1, 2011. The amended guidance requires reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts to be assessed to determine if it is more likely than not that goodwill impairment exists. As part of this assessment, entities should consider all qualitative factors that could impact the carrying value. The adoption of this amended guidance did not have a significant impact on our unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Table of Contents

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (continued)

(Amounts in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

Revenue Recognition – Milestone Method

In March 2010, the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) reached a consensus related to guidance when applying the milestone method of revenue recognition. The consensus was issued by the FASB as an update to authoritative guidance for revenue recognition and was effective for us January 1, 2011. The amended guidance provides criteria for identifying those deliverables in an arrangement that meet the definition of a milestone. In addition, the amended guidance includes enhanced quantitative and qualitative disclosures about the arrangements when an entity recognizes revenue using the milestone method. The adoption of this amended guidance did not have a significant impact on our unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

Fair Value Measurements

In January 2010, the FASB issued amended guidance to enhance disclosure requirements related to fair value measurements. The amended guidance for Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements was effective for us January 1, 2010. The amended guidance for Level 3 fair value measurements was effective for us January 1, 2011. The guidance requires disclosures of amounts and reasons for transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 recurring fair value measurements as well as additional information related to activities in the reconciliation of Level 3 fair value measurements. The guidance expanded the disclosures related to the level of disaggregation of assets and liabilities and information about inputs and valuation techniques. The adoption of this amended guidance did not have a significant impact on our unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

Revenue Recognition – Multiple Deliverables

In September 2009, the EITF reached a consensus related to revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables. The consensus was issued by the FASB as an update to authoritative guidance for revenue recognition and was effective for us January 1, 2011. The updated guidance revises how the estimated selling price of each deliverable in a multiple element arrangement is determined when the deliverables do not have stand-alone value. In addition, the guidance requires additional disclosures about the methods and assumptions used to evaluate multiple element arrangements and to identify the significant deliverables within those arrangements. The amended guidance did not have a significant impact on our unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Table of Contents

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

(Amounts in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is intended to help you understand The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“IPG,” “we,” “us” or “our”). MD&A should be read in conjunction with our unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying notes included in this report, our 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as our other reports on Form 8-K and other Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings. Our Annual Report includes additional information about our significant accounting policies and practices as well as details about our most significant risks and uncertainties associated with our financial and operating results. Our MD&A includes the following sections:

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY provides a discussion about our strategic outlook, factors influencing our business and an overview of our results of operations and liquidity.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS provides an analysis of the consolidated and segment results of operations for the periods presented.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES provides an overview of our cash flows, funding requirements, financing and sources of funds and debt credit ratings.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES provides an update to the discussion of our accounting policies that require critical judgment, assumptions and estimates in our 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

RECENT ACCOUNTING STANDARDS, by reference to Note 11 to the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements, provides a discussion of certain accounting standards that have been adopted during 2011 or that have not yet been required to be implemented and may be applicable to our future operations.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

We are one of the world’s premier global advertising and marketing services companies. Our companies specialize in consumer advertising, digital marketing, media planning and buying, public relations and specialized communications disciplines, and create customized marketing programs for many of the world’s largest advertisers. Comprehensive global services are critical to effectively serving our multinational and local clients in markets throughout the world, as they seek to build brands, increase sales of their products and services and gain market share.

Our business objective is to continue to strengthen our full range of marketing expertise and competitive positioning. We develop and invest in a range of talent, tools and businesses that are highly relevant to the needs of our clients and offer us strong financial returns. These include investments in rapidly growing marketing channels and geographic regions as well as key strategic world markets. We operate in a media landscape that is constantly changing. Accordingly, we remain focused on meeting the evolving needs of our clients in an increasingly complex consumer environment.

Our financial priorities include maintaining competitive organic growth, improving our operating margins, continuing to strengthen our capital structure and increasing value to shareholders, which includes our recently initiated common stock dividend and share repurchase program. We continually seek greater efficiency in the delivery of our services, focusing on more effective resource utilization, including the productivity of our employees, real estate and information technology. Improvements in our financial reporting and business information systems during recent years provided us with more timely and actionable insights from our global operations. Our conservative approach to our balance sheet and liquidity provides us with a solid financial foundation and financial flexibility. We continue to derive benefits from our diversified client base, global footprint and the broad range and strength of our professional offerings.

 

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Table of Contents

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – (continued)

(Amounts in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

The following tables present a summary of financial performance for the three months ended March 31, 2011 as compared with the same period in 2010.

 

     Three months ended
March 31, 2011
 
% Increase    Total     Organic  

Revenue

     10.3     9.3

Salaries and related expenses

     10.3     9.3

Office and general expenses

     5.4     4.2
     Three months ended
March 31,
 
     2011     2010  

Operating margin

     (3.1 )%      (4.4 )% 

Expenses as % of revenue:

    

Salaries and related expenses

     73.2     73.2

Office and general expenses

     29.8     31.2

Net loss available to IPG common stockholders

   $ (48.1   $ (71.5

Loss per share available to IPG common stockholders – basic and diluted

   $ (0.10   $ (0.15

When we analyze period-to-period changes in our operating performance we determine the portion of the change that is attributable to foreign currency rates and the net effect of acquisitions and divestitures, and the remainder we call organic change, which indicates how our underlying business performed. The performance metrics that we use to analyze our results include the organic change in revenue, salaries and related expenses and office and general expenses, and the components of operating expenses, expressed as a percentage of total consolidated revenue. Additionally, in certain of our discussions we analyze revenue by business sector, where we focus on our top 100 clients, which typically constitute approximately 55%-60% of our annual consolidated revenues. We also analyze revenue by geographic region.

The change in our operating performance attributable to foreign currency rates is determined by converting the prior-period reported results using the current-period exchange rates and comparing these prior-period adjusted amounts to the prior-period reported results. Although the U.S. Dollar is our reporting currency, a substantial portion of our revenues and expenses are generated in foreign currencies. Therefore, our reported results are affected by fluctuations in the currencies in which we conduct our international businesses. We do not use derivative financial instruments to manage this translation risk. As a result, both positive and negative currency fluctuations against the U.S. Dollar affect our consolidated results of operations, and the magnitude of the foreign currency impact on us related to each geographic region depends on the significance and operating performance of the region. The primary foreign currencies that impacted our results during the first quarter of 2011 include the Australian Dollar, Brazilian Real, Canadian Dollar and Euro. During the first quarter of 2011, the U.S. Dollar weakened against several foreign currencies as compared to the prior-year period, which had a net negative impact on our consolidated results of operations. This effect was partially offset as the U.S. Dollar strengthened against the Euro during the first quarter of 2011. For the first quarter of 2011, foreign currency fluctuations resulted in net increases of approximately 1% in revenues, salaries and related expenses and office and general expenses, which contributed on a net basis to an increase in our operating loss of approximately 1% compared to the prior-year period.

For purposes of analyzing changes in our operating performance attributable to the net effect of acquisitions and divestitures, transactions are treated as if they occurred on the first day of the quarter during which the transaction occurred. During the past few years we have acquired companies that we believe will enhance our offering and disposed of businesses that are not consistent with our strategic plan. For the first quarter of 2011, the net effect of acquisitions and divestitures had a minimal impact on revenue and operating expenses compared to the respective prior-year period.

 

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Table of Contents

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – (continued)

(Amounts in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Consolidated Results of Operations – Three Months Ended March 31, 2011 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2010

REVENUE

 

            Components of Change             Change  
     Three months ended
March 31, 2010
     Foreign
Currency
    Net
Acquisitions/
(Divestitures)
    Organic      Three months ended
March 31, 2011
     Organic     Total  

Consolidated

   $ 1,337.0       $ 13.2      $ (0.3   $ 124.9       $ 1,474.8         9.3     10.3

Domestic

     803.1         0.0        (8.5     70.7         865.3         8.8     7.7

International

     533.9         13.2        8.2        54.2         609.5         10.2     14.2

United Kingdom

     102.3         1.4        5.7        9.4         118.8         9.2     16.1

Continental Europe

     179.0         (1.9     0.0        6.9         184.0         3.9     2.8

Asia Pacific

     112.6         7.4        0.0        20.4         140.4         18.1     24.7

Latin America

     64.9         3.1        0.3        8.8         77.1         13.6     18.8

Other

     75.1         3.2        2.2        8.7         89.2         11.6     18.8

During the first quarter of 2011, our revenue increased by $137.8, or 10.3%, compared to the first quarter of 2010, primarily consisting of an organic revenue increase of $124.9, or 9.3%. Our organic increase was attributable to higher spending from existing clients and net client wins in nearly all sectors of our business and throughout all geographic regions. The sectors which contributed the most to the organic revenue increase were technology and telecom, health and personal care, and auto and transportation. Regionally, the largest organic revenue increase was in our domestic market, primarily related to the factors noted above. All of our international regions had organic revenue increases, most notably in the Asia Pacific region, primarily in India and China. Revenue also increased in Japan during the first quarter of 2011. The extent to which recent natural disasters in Japan will impact our business for the full year remains unclear, but we do not expect to experience a material effect on our consolidated results of operations.

Our revenue is directly dependent upon our ability to win new clients and the advertising, marketing and corporate communications requirements of our existing clients. Most of our expenses are recognized ratably throughout the year and are therefore less seasonal than revenue. Our revenue is typically lowest in the first quarter and highest in the fourth quarter. This reflects the seasonal spending of our clients, incentives earned at year-end on various contracts and project work completed that is typically recognized during the fourth quarter. Additionally, revenues can fluctuate due to the timing of completed projects in the events marketing business, as revenue is typically recognized when the project is complete. We generally act as principal for these projects and as such record the gross amount billed to the client as revenue and the related costs incurred as pass-through costs in office and general expenses.

Refer to the segment discussion later in this MD&A for information on changes in revenue by segment.

OPERATING EXPENSES

 

     Three months ended
March 31,
 
     2011     2010  

Salaries and related expenses

   $ 1,080.1      $ 979.3   

Office and general expenses

     439.2        416.8   

Restructuring and other reorganization-related charges, net

     0.8        0.3   
                

Total operating expenses

   $ 1,520.1      $ 1,396.4   
                

Operating loss

   $ (45.3   $ (59.4
                

 

19


Table of Contents

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – (continued)

(Amounts in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

Salaries and Related Expenses

 

            Components of Change             Change  
         2010          Foreign
Currency
     Net
Acquisitions/
(Divestitures)
     Organic          2011          Organic     Total  

Three months ended March 31,

   $ 979.3       $ 9.3       $ 0.1       $ 91.4       $ 1,080.1         9.3     10.3

Our staff cost ratio, defined as salaries and related expenses as a percentage of total consolidated revenue, remained unchanged in the first quarter of 2011 at 73.2% when compared to the prior-year period. Salaries and related expenses in the first quarter of 2011 increased by $100.8 compared to the first quarter of 2010, primarily consisting of an organic increase of $91.4 and an adverse foreign currency rate impact of $9.3. The organic increase was due to higher base salaries and benefits of $56.2 and temporary help of $11.1 incurred to support business growth (organic revenue increase of $124.9). The organic increase occurred across all regions, primarily in our domestic market. Also contributing to the organic increase was higher severance expense of $12.6.

The following table details our salaries and related expenses as a percentage of total consolidated revenue.

 

     Three months ended
March 31,
 
     2011     2010  

Salaries and related expenses

     73.2     73.2

Base salaries, benefits and tax

     60.5     61.9

Incentive expense

     4.4     4.0

Severance expense

     1.6     0.8

Temporary help

     4.1     3.6

All other salaries and related expenses

     2.6     2.9

Office and General Expenses

 

            Components of Change             Change  
         2010          Foreign
Currency
     Net
Acquisitions/
(Divestitures)
     Organic          2011          Organic     Total  

Three months ended March 31,

   $ 416.8       $ 4.4       $ 0.4       $ 17.6       $ 439.2         4.2     5.4

Our office and general expense ratio, defined as office and general expenses as a percentage of total consolidated revenue, decreased in the first quarter of 2011 to 29.8% from 31.2% in the first quarter of 2010. Office and general expenses in the first quarter of 2011 increased by $22.4 compared to the first quarter of 2010, primarily consisting of an organic increase of $17.6 and an adverse foreign currency rate impact of $4.4. The organic increase was primarily due to higher production expenses related to pass-through costs for certain projects where we acted as a principal that increased in size or were new during the first quarter of 2011. Also contributing to the organic increase was higher discretionary spending to support business growth and was partially offset by lower occupancy costs.

The following table details our office and general expenses as a percentage of total consolidated revenue. All other office and general expenses primarily include production expenses, and, to a lesser extent, depreciation and amortization, bad debt expense, foreign currency gains (losses) and other expenses.

 

     Three months ended
March 31,
 
     2011     2010  

Office and general expenses

     29.8     31.2

Professional fees

     2.0     2.1

Occupancy expense (excluding depreciation and amortization)

     8.5     9.3

Travel & entertainment, office supplies and telecommunications

     4.0     4.1

All other office and general expenses

     15.3     15.7

 

20


Table of Contents

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – (continued)

(Amounts in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

EXPENSES AND OTHER INCOME

 

     Three months ended
March 31,
     
     2011     2010    

Cash interest on debt obligations

   $ (33.9   $ (33.5  

Non-cash interest

     2.0        0.9     
                  

Interest expense

     (31.9     (32.6  

Interest income

     8.3        6.5     
                  

Net interest expense

     (23.6     (26.1  

Other (expense) income, net

     (6.1     0.5     
                  

Total (expenses) and other income

   $ (29.7   $ (25.6  
                  

Net Interest Expense

For the three months ended March 31, 2011, net interest expense decreased by $2.5 as compared to the prior-year period, primarily due to an increase in interest income. Interest income increased primarily due to an increase in average cash and cash equivalent balances in various countries around the world for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to the prior-year period. Non-cash interest expense benefitted from no longer amortizing the discount on our Floating Rate Senior Unsecured Notes due 2010, which matured in the prior year. Cash interest expense was virtually unchanged as lower interest expense resulting from prior year debt repayments was offset by higher interest expense related to increasing the size of our credit facility in the second quarter of 2010 and a favorable impact from interest rate swaps realized in the first quarter of 2010.

Other (Expense) Income, net

Results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 include certain items which are not directly associated with our revenue-producing operations.

 

     Three months ended
March 31,
     
     2011     2010    

(Losses) gains on sales of businesses and investments

   $ (6.6   $    0.2     

Other income, net

     0.5        0.3     
                  

Total other (expense) income, net

   $ (6.1   $ 0.5     
                  

 

Sales of Businesses and Investments – During the three months ended March 31, 2011, we recognized a loss relating to the sale of a business in the domestic market within our Integrated Agency Networks (“IAN”) segment.

 

INCOME TAXES

 

     Three months ended
March 31,
     
     2011     2010      

Loss before income taxes

   $ (75.0   $ (85.0  
                  

Benefit of income taxes

   $ (21.5   $ (15.3  
                  

Effective tax rate

     28.7     18.0  

 

21


Table of Contents

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – (continued)

(Amounts in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

Our tax rates are affected by many factors, including our worldwide earnings from various countries, changes in legislation and tax characteristics of our income. Specifically, for the three months ended March 31, 2011, the effective tax rate of 28.7% was negatively impacted by losses in certain foreign locations for which we receive no benefit due to 100% valuation allowances and the establishment of a valuation allowance in the United Kingdom. Our effective tax rate was positively impacted due to tax efficiencies from entity consolidation in the Asia Pacific region and the loss relating to the sale of a business in the domestic market.

For the three months ended March 31, 2010, the difference between the effective tax rate and the statutory rate of 35% was primarily due to losses in certain foreign locations where we receive no tax benefit due to 100% valuation allowances, the establishment of valuation allowances in Europe and the loss from the devaluation of the Venezuelan currency, for which we receive no tax benefit.

Segment Results of Operations – Three Months Ended March 31, 2011 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2010

As discussed in Note 8 to the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements, we have two reportable segments as of March 31, 2011: IAN and Constituency Management Group (“CMG”). We also report results for the Corporate and other group.

IAN

REVENUE

 

            Components of Change             Change  
     Three months ended
March 31, 2010
     Foreign
Currency
     Net
Acquisitions/
(Divestitures)
     Organic      Three months ended
March 31, 2011
     Organic     Total  

Consolidated

   $ 1,109.2       $ 11.7       $ 7.9       $ 107.1       $ 1,235.9         9.7     11.4

Domestic

     637.1         0.0         0.0         64.1         701.2         10.1     10.1

International

     472.1         11.7         7.9         43.0         534.7         9.1     13.3

During the first quarter of 2011, IAN revenue increased by $126.7 compared to the first quarter of 2010, primarily consisting of an organic revenue increase of $107.1. The increase in revenue at our IAN segment represented approximately 86% of the total organic revenue increase and was attributable to the reasons described in the consolidated revenue discussion.

SEGMENT OPERATING LOSS

 

     Three months ended
March 31,
       
     2011     2010     Change  

Segment operating loss

   $ (21.4   $ (33.3     (35.7 )% 

Operating margin

     (1.7 )%      (3.0 )%   

Operating loss improved during the first quarter of 2011 when compared to the first quarter of 2010 due to an increase in revenue of $126.7, partially offset by increases in salaries and related expenses of $91.8 and office and general expenses of $23.0. The increase in salaries and related expenses was primarily due to higher base salaries, benefits and temporary help across most of the agencies within IAN to support business growth. Also contributing to the increase in salaries and related expenses was higher severance expense and incentive award expense compared to the prior-year period. Office and general expenses increased primarily due to higher production expenses.

 

22


Table of Contents

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – (continued)

(Amounts in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

CMG

REVENUE

 

            Components of Change             Change  
     Three months ended
March 31, 2010
     Foreign
Currency
     Net
Acquisitions/
(Divestitures)
    Organic      Three months ended
March 31, 2011
     Organic     Total  

Consolidated

   $ 227.8       $ 1.5       $ (8.2   $ 17.8       $ 238.9         7.8     4.9

Domestic

     166.0         0.0         (8.5     6.6         164.1         4.0     (1.1 )% 

International

     61.8         1.5         0.3        11.2         74.8         18.1     21.0

During the first quarter of 2011, CMG revenue increased by $11.1 compared to the first quarter of 2010, primarily due to an organic revenue increase of $17.8, partially offset by the effect of net divestitures of $8.2. The organic revenue increase was primarily due to increases in client spending in most disciplines, primarily our public relations and events marketing businesses. The international organic increase was most notably in the Asia Pacific region, primarily in Australia and China, and in the United Kingdom. Revenues in the events marketing business can fluctuate due to timing of completed projects where we act as principal, as revenue is typically recognized when the project is complete. The reduction in revenue due to net divestitures primarily relate to the sale of a business in our domestic market in the fourth quarter of 2010.

SEGMENT OPERATING INCOME

 

     Three months ended
March 31,
       
     2011     2010     Change  

Segment operating income

   $ 10.7      $ 7.7        39.0

Operating margin

     4.5     3.4  

Operating income increased during the first quarter of 2011 when compared to the first quarter of 2010 due to an increase in revenue of $11.1, partially offset by increases in salaries and related expenses of $6.2 and office and general expenses of $1.9. Salaries and related expenses increased across all disciplines due to higher base salaries, benefits and temporary help primarily to support business growth. Office and general expenses increased primarily due to higher discretionary spending.

CORPORATE AND OTHER

Certain corporate and other charges are reported as a separate line item within total segment operating loss and include corporate office expenses and shared service center expenses, as well as certain other centrally managed expenses that are not fully allocated to operating divisions. Salaries and related expenses include salaries, long-term incentives, annual bonuses and other miscellaneous benefits for corporate office employees. Office and general expenses primarily include professional fees related to internal control compliance, financial statement audits and legal, information technology and other consulting services, which are engaged and managed through the corporate office. In addition, office and general expenses also include rental expense and depreciation of leasehold improvements for properties occupied by corporate office employees. A portion of these expenses are allocated to operating divisions based on a formula that uses the planned revenues of each of the operating units. Amounts allocated also include specific charges for information technology-related projects, which are allocated based on utilization.

Corporate and other expenses of $33.8 during the first quarter of 2011 were essentially flat compared to the prior-year period as higher severance expense was offset by lower occupancy costs.

 

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Table of Contents

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – (continued)

(Amounts in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

CASH FLOW OVERVIEW

The following tables summarize key financial data relating to our liquidity, capital resources and uses of capital.

 

     Three months ended
March 31,
 

Cash Flow Data

   2011     2010  

Net loss, adjusted to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities 1

   $ (43.1   $ (46.9

Net cash used in working capital 2

     (735.8     (482.5
Changes in other non-current assets and liabilities using cash      (22.8     (26.1
                
Net cash used in operating activities    $ (801.7   $ (555.5
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities      (16.8     13.0   
Net cash used in financing activities      (45.4     (16.2

 

1 Reflects net loss adjusted primarily for depreciation and amortization of fixed assets and intangible assets, amortization of restricted stock and other non-cash compensation and deferred income taxes.
2 Reflects changes in accounts receivable, expenditures billable to clients, other current assets, accounts payable and accrued liabilities.

 

Balance Sheet Data

   March 31,
2011
     December 31,
2010
     March 31,
2010
 
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities    $ 1,854.3       $ 2,689.4       $ 1,941.5   
Short-term borrowings    $ 116.2       $ 114.8       $ 86.3   
Current portion of long-term debt      452.4         38.9         215.5   
Long-term debt      1,165.9         1,583.3         1,634.5   
                          

Total debt

   $ 1,734.5       $ 1,737.0       $ 1,936.3   
                          

Operating Activities

Net cash used in operating activities during the first three months of 2011 was $801.7, which is an increase of $246.2 as compared to the first three months of 2010, primarily as a result of an increase in working capital usage of $253.3. Due to the seasonality of our business, we typically generate cash from working capital in the second half of a year and use cash from working capital in the first half of a year, with the largest impacts in the first and fourth quarters. The net working capital usage in the first three months of 2011 was primarily impacted by our media businesses.

The timing of media buying on behalf of our clients affects our working capital and operating cash flow. In most of our businesses, our agencies enter into commitments to pay production and media costs on behalf of clients. To the extent possible we pay production and media charges after we have received funds from our clients. The amounts involved substantially exceed our revenues, and primarily affect the level of accounts receivable, expenditures billable to clients, accounts payable and accrued media and production liabilities. Our assets include both cash received and accounts receivable from clients for these pass-through arrangements, while our liabilities include amounts owed on behalf of clients to media and production suppliers.

Our accrued liabilities are also affected by the timing of certain other payments. For example, while annual cash incentive awards are accrued throughout the year, they are generally paid during the first quarter of the subsequent year.

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities during the first three months of 2011 primarily reflects capital expenditures of $16.9. Capital expenditures relate primarily to computer software and hardware and leasehold improvements.

 

24


Table of Contents

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – (continued)

(Amounts in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities during the first three months of 2011 primarily relate to dividend payments of $28.5 on our common stock.

Foreign Exchange Rate Changes

The effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents included in the unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows resulted in an increase of $28.4 during the first three months of 2011. This increase primarily reflects the strengthening of the Euro, as well as several other foreign currencies, against the U.S. Dollar as of March 31, 2011 as compared to December 31, 2010.

LIQUIDITY OUTLOOK

We expect our cash flow from operations, cash and cash equivalents to be sufficient to meet our anticipated operating requirements at a minimum for the next twelve months. We also have a committed corporate credit facility available to support our operating needs. We continue to maintain a conservative approach to liquidity, with flexibility over significant uses of cash, including our capital expenditures, cash used for new acquisitions, our common stock repurchase program and our common stock dividends.

From time to time we evaluate market conditions and financing alternatives for opportunities to raise additional financing or otherwise improve our liquidity profile, enhance our financial flexibility and manage market risk. Our ability to access the capital markets depends on a number of factors, which include those specific to us, such as our credit rating, and those related to the financial markets, such as the amount or terms of available credit. There can be no guarantee that we would be able to access new sources of liquidity on commercially reasonable terms, or at all.

Funding Requirements

Our most significant funding requirements include: our operations, non-cancelable operating lease obligations, capital expenditures, acquisitions, dividends, taxes, debt service and contributions to pension and postretirement plans. Additionally, we may be required to make payments to minority shareholders in certain subsidiaries if they exercise their options arising from prior acquisitions to sell us their interests. Notable funding requirements include:

 

   

Acquisitions – We expect to pay approximately $89.8 for the remainder of 2011 related to prior year acquisitions, of which $87.3 is expected to be paid in the second quarter of 2011. We may also be required to pay approximately $36.2 related to put options held by minority shareholders that are exercisable during 2011. We will continue to evaluate strategic opportunities to grow and to increase our ownership interests in current investments, particularly in our digital and marketing services offerings, and to expand our presence in high-growth and key strategic world markets.

 

   

Dividends – On February 24, 2011 our Board of Directors (“Board”) declared a dividend of $0.06 per share on our common shares, payable on March 25, 2011 to holders of record at the close of business on March 11, 2011, and we intend to continue quarterly common stock dividend payments. As of March 11, 2011 we had 475.4 shares outstanding (excluding restricted shares), which corresponded to an aggregate dividend payment of $28.5. Assuming a quarterly dividend of $0.06 per share and no significant change in the number of outstanding shares, we expect to pay approximately $85.0 for the remainder of 2011. We also pay regular quarterly dividends of $2.9, or $11.6 annually, on our Series B Preferred Stock.

 

   

Debt service – Our 7.25% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2011 (the “2011 Notes”) mature on August 15, 2011. As of March 31, 2011 we had $36.3 aggregate principal amount of the 2011 Notes outstanding, and we expect to use available cash to retire these outstanding notes. On March 15, 2012 holders of our $400.0 4.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2023 may require us to repurchase their notes for cash at par. The remainder of our debt is primarily long-term, with maturities scheduled through 2023.

 

25


Table of Contents

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – (continued)

(Amounts in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

   

Contributions to pension plans – Our funding policy regarding our pension plan is to contribute amounts necessary to satisfy minimum pension funding requirements, plus such additional amounts as we consider appropriate to improve the plans’ funded status. During the three months ended March 31, 2011, we contributed $11.7 of cash to our domestic pension plan and $5.8 of cash to our foreign pension plans. For the remainder of 2011, we expect to contribute approximately $2.4 and $19.0 of cash to our domestic and foreign pension plans, respectively.

Share Repurchase Program

On February 24, 2011 our Board authorized a program to repurchase from time to time up to $300.0 of our common stock. We may effect such repurchases through open market purchases, trading plans established in accordance with SEC rules, derivative transactions or other means. The share repurchase program has no expiration date. During the period from the Board’s authorization through March 31, 2011, we repurchased 0.9 shares at an average price of $12.36 per share and an aggregate cost of $10.5. We expect to continue to repurchase our common stock during 2011, although the timing and amount of the repurchases will depend on market conditions and our other funding requirements.

FINANCING AND SOURCES OF FUNDS

Substantially all of our operating cash flow is generated by our agencies. Our cash balances are held in numerous jurisdictions throughout the world, primarily at the holding company level and at our largest subsidiaries. Below is a summary of our sources of liquidity.

 

     March 31, 2011  
     Total
Facility
     Amount
Outstanding
     Letters
of  Credit1
     Total
Available
 

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities

            $ 1,854.3   

Committed credit agreement

   $ 650.0       $ 0.0       $ 15.7       $ 634.3   

Uncommitted facilities

   $ 464.7       $ 116.2       $ 0.1       $ 348.4   

 

1 

We are required from time to time to post letters of credit, primarily to support obligations of our subsidiaries. These letters of credit have historically not been drawn upon.

Credit Facilities

We maintain a committed corporate credit facility to increase our financial flexibility. The credit facility is a revolving facility expiring July 18, 2013, under which amounts borrowed by us or any of our subsidiaries designated under the credit facility may be repaid and reborrowed, subject to an aggregate lending limit of $650.0 or the equivalent in other currencies. The aggregate available amount of letters of credit outstanding may decrease or increase, subject to a limit on letters of credit of $200.0 or the equivalent in other currencies. Our obligations under the credit facility are unsecured. We have not drawn on any of our corporate credit facilities since 2003, although we use them for letters of credit primarily to support obligations of our subsidiaries.

We were in compliance with all of our covenants in the credit facility as of March 31, 2011. The table below sets forth the financial covenants applicable as of March 31, 2011.

 

Financial Covenants

  Four Quarters Ended
March 31, 2011
    

EBITDA Reconciliation

  Four Quarters Ended
March 31, 2011
 

Interest coverage ratio (not less than)

    4.25x       Operating income   $ 562.9   

Actual interest coverage ratio

    6.58x       Add:  
    

Depreciation and amortization

    198.5   

Leverage ratio (not greater than)

    3.25x       Other non-cash amounts     (0.5
            

Actual leverage ratio

    2.28x       EBITDA   $ 760.9   
            

EBITDA (not less than)

  $ 550.0        

Actual EBITDA

  $ 760.9        

 

26


Table of Contents

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – (continued)

(Amounts in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

If we were unable to comply with our covenants in the future, we would seek an amendment or waiver from our lenders, but there is no assurance that our lenders would grant an amendment or waiver. If we were unable to obtain the necessary amendment or waiver, the credit facility could be terminated and our lenders could accelerate payments of any outstanding principal. In addition, under those circumstances we could be required to deposit funds with one of our lenders in an amount equal to any outstanding letters of credit under the credit facility.

We also have uncommitted credit facilities with various banks that permit borrowings at variable interest rates. We use our uncommitted credit lines for working capital needs at some of our operations outside the United States. We have guaranteed the repayment of some of these borrowings made by certain subsidiaries. If we lose access to these credit lines, we would have to provide funding directly to some of our international operations. The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding balances under the uncommitted credit facilities as of March 31, 2011 was approximately 5.0%.

Cash Pooling

We aggregate our net domestic cash position on a daily basis. Outside the United States we use cash pooling arrangements with banks to help manage our liquidity requirements. In these pooling arrangements, several IPG agencies agree with a single bank that the cash balances of any of the agencies with the bank will be subject to a full right of setoff against amounts the other agencies owe the bank, and the bank provides for overdrafts as long as the net balance for all the agencies does not exceed an agreed-upon level. Typically, each agency pays interest on outstanding overdrafts and receives interest on cash balances. Our unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets reflect cash, net of bank overdrafts, under all of our pooling arrangements, and as of March 31, 2011 the amount netted was $1,011.7.

DEBT CREDIT RATINGS

Our long-term debt credit ratings as of April 15, 2011 are listed below.

 

     Moody’s Investor
Service
   Standard and
Poor’s
   Fitch Ratings

Rating

   Ba2    BB    BBB

Outlook

   Positive    Positive    Stable

The most recent update to our credit ratings occurred in March 2011 when Standard and Poor’s placed our credit rating on positive credit watch. Previously, in November 2010, Standard and Poor’s changed our outlook from stable to positive. Additionally, in October 2010 Fitch Ratings upgraded our rating from BB+ to BBB, which is an investment grade rating, and changed our outlook from positive to stable. A credit rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities and may be subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning credit rating agency. The rating of each credit rating agency should be evaluated independently of any other rating. Credit ratings could have an impact on liquidity, either adverse or favorable, including, among other things, because they could affect funding costs in the capital markets or otherwise. For example, our credit facility fees and borrowing rates are based on a credit ratings grid.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2010 included in our 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K. As summarized in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, in our Annual Report, we believe that certain of these policies are critical because they are important to the presentation of our financial condition and results of operations, and they require management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to estimate the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. These critical estimates relate to revenue recognition, income taxes, goodwill and other intangible assets, and pension and postretirement benefits. We base our estimates on historical experience and various other factors that we believe to be relevant under the circumstances. Estimation methodologies are applied

 

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Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – (continued)

(Amounts in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

consistently from year to year, and there have been no significant changes in the application of critical accounting estimates since December 31, 2010. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

RECENT ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

See Note 11 to the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements for further information of certain accounting standards that have been adopted during 2011 or that have not yet been required to be implemented and may be applicable to our future operations.

 

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

In the normal course of business, we are exposed to market risks related to interest rates, foreign currency rates and certain balance sheet items. During the first quarter of 2011, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement. We entered into an additional interest rate swap agreement in April 2011. We use interest rate swap agreements to manage our exposure to changes in interest rates. We do not expect these swap agreements to materially alter our exposure to market risk. See Note 2 to the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on our interest rate swap agreements. For a further discussion of our exposure to market risk, refer to Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, in our 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of March 31, 2011, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There has been no change in internal control over financial reporting in the quarter ended March 31, 2011 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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Table of Contents

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Information about our current legal proceedings is set forth in Note 10 to the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

In the first quarter of 2011, there have been no material changes in the risk factors we have previously disclosed in Item 1A, Risk Factors, in our 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

  (c) The following table provides information regarding our purchases of our equity securities during the period from January 1, 2011 to March 31, 2011.

 

     Total Number of
Shares (or Units)
Purchased 1
     Average Price Paid per
Share (or Unit) 2
     Total Number of
Shares (or Units)
Purchased as Part  of

Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs 3
     Maximum Number (or
Approximate Dollar Value)
of Shares (or  Units) that May
Yet Be Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs
 

January 1-31

     39,821       $ 10.74         0       $ 0   

February 1-28

     0         0.00         0         0   

March 1-31

     1,238,797         12.39         851,300       $ 289,473,831   
                             

Total

     1,278,618       $ 12.34         851,300      
                             

 

1 

Includes shares of our common stock, par value $0.10 per share, withheld under the terms of grants under employee stock-based compensation plans to offset tax withholding obligations that occurred upon vesting and release of restricted shares (the “Withheld Shares”). We repurchased 39,821 Withheld Shares in January 2011 and 387,497 Withheld Shares in March 2011, for a total of 427,318 Withheld Shares during the three-month period.

2 

The average price per share of the Withheld Shares in January was calculated by dividing the aggregate value of the tax withholding obligations for that month by the aggregate number of shares of common stock withheld in such month. The average price per share for the month of March and for the three-month period was calculated by dividing the sum for the applicable period of the aggregate value of the Withheld Shares and the aggregate amount we paid for shares acquired under our common stock repurchase program by the sum of the number of Withheld Shares and the number of shares acquired in our stock repurchase program.

3 

On February 24, 2011 our Board of Directors approved a program to repurchase from time to time up to $300 million of our common stock. There is no expiration date associated with the program.

Working Capital Restrictions and Other Limitations on the Payment of Dividends

The credit facility contains certain covenants that, among other things, and subject to certain exceptions, restrict us from making cash acquisitions, making capital expenditures, repurchasing our common stock and declaring or paying cash dividends on our common stock, in excess of an aggregate basket of $600.0 million in any fiscal year, of which we may carry forward unused amounts of up to $200.0 million to the next fiscal year, provided that (a) if we have a leverage ratio of greater than 2.75 to 1 at the end of any fiscal year, we may not carry forward unused amounts, and cash common stock dividends and net share repurchases not otherwise permitted will be restricted to $400.0 million for the next fiscal year, and (b) if we have a leverage ratio of 2.75 to 1 or less at the end of any fiscal year, in the next fiscal year the aggregate basket will be $800.0 million and cash common stock dividends and net share repurchases not otherwise permitted may not exceed $600.0 million. In addition, the aggregate basket in any fiscal year, but not the amount for cash common stock and net share repurchases, may be increased, subject to certain limitations, by up to $100.0 million of net cash proceeds from dispositions made during such fiscal year.

In addition, the terms of our outstanding series of preferred stock do not permit us to pay dividends on our common stock unless all accumulated and unpaid dividends on our preferred stock have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or provision for the payment thereof has been made.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

All exhibits required pursuant to Item 601 of Regulation S-K to be filed as part of this report or incorporated herein by reference to other documents, are listed in the Exhibit Index that immediately precedes the exhibits filed with this Report on Form 10-Q and the exhibits transmitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission as part of the electronic filing of this report.

 

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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 thereunto duly authorized.

 

THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC.
By   /s/ Michael I. Roth
  Michael I. Roth
  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Date: April 28, 2011

 

By   /s/ Christopher F. Carroll
  Christopher F. Carroll
  Senior Vice President, Controller and
  Chief Accounting Officer
  (Principal Accounting Officer)

Date: April 28, 2011

 

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Table of Contents

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

EXHIBIT NO.

  

DESCRIPTION

10(iii)(A)(1)    Retirement Agreement, effective as of March 24, 2011, between The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (“Interpublic”) and Timothy Sompolski is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Interpublic’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 25, 2011.
12.1    Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
31.1    Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
31.2    Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
32    Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer furnished pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 and Rule 13a-14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
101    Interactive Data File for the period ended March 31, 2011.

 

32

Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges

EXHIBIT 12.1

COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

(Amounts in Millions, Except Ratios)

 

    Three months ended
March 31,
    Years ended December 31,  
    2011     2010      2009      2008      2007      2006  

Earnings (loss) 1

               

(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes

  $ (75.0   $ 450.6       $ 232.4       $ 471.5       $ 235.7       $ (5.0
                                                   

Fixed charges 1

               

Interest expense

    31.9        139.7         155.6         211.9         236.7         218.7   

Interest factor of net operating rents 2

    43.4        172.8         181.4         183.9         185.6         185.1   
                                                   

Total fixed charges

    75.3        312.5         337.0         395.8         422.3         403.8   
                                                   

Earnings (loss), as adjusted

  $ 0.3      $ 763.1       $ 569.4       $ 867.3       $ 658.0       $ 398.8   
                                                   

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 3

    N/A        2.4         1.7         2.2         1.6         N/A   

 

1 

Earnings (loss) consist of (loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes, equity in net income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates and adjustments for net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests. Fixed charges consist of interest on indebtedness, amortization of debt discount, waiver and other amendment fees, debt issuance costs (all of which are included in interest expense) and the portion of net rental expense deemed representative of the interest component (one-third).

2 

We have calculated the interest factor of net operating rent as one third of our operating rent, as this represents a reasonable approximation of the interest factor.

3 

We had a less than 1:1 ratio of earnings to fixed charges due to our losses in the three months ended March 31, 2011 and year ended December 31, 2006. To provide a 1:1 coverage ratio for the deficient period results as reported would have required additional earnings of $75.0 and $5.0 in the three months ended March 31, 2011 and year ended December 31, 2006, respectively.

Section 302 CEO Certification

EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATION

I, Michael I. Roth, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc.;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

  (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  (b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

  (c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  (d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

  (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

/s/ Michael I. Roth

Michael I. Roth
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Date: April 28, 2011

Section 302 CFO Certification

EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATION

I, Frank Mergenthaler, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc.;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

  (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  (b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

  (c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  (d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

  (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

/s/ Frank Mergenthaler

Frank Mergenthaler
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

Date: April 28, 2011

Section 906 CEO and CFO Certifications

EXHIBIT 32

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code), each of the undersigned officers of The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (the “Company”), does hereby certify, to such officer’s knowledge, that:

The quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 of the Company fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the information contained in the quarterly report on Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

/s/ Michael I. Roth

Michael I. Roth
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Dated: April 28, 2011

 

/s/ Frank Mergenthaler

Frank Mergenthaler
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

Dated: April 28, 2011