Omnicom acquires Interpublic Group in $13.25 billion deal, poised to dominate the ad industry

In a landmark move set to reshape the global advertising landscape, Omnicom has announced its acquisition of Interpublic Group (IPG) for an impressive $13.25 billion. The merger, approved unanimously by Omnicom’s board, solidifies the company’s ambition to become the world’s largest advertising holding company, surpassing industry giants like Publicis and WPP. This bold step is not just a financial milestone; it marks a strategic alignment of capabilities and resources that could redefine competition in the advertising sector.

The deal, structured as a stock-for-stock transaction, will allow the merged entity to retain the Omnicom name and its New York Stock Exchange ticker symbol (OMC). Scheduled to close in the second half of 2025, the merger brings together the world’s third- and fourth-largest ad buyers by revenue, positioning the combined entity to control a significant share of global ad spending. John Wren, Omnicom’s longstanding Chairman and CEO, will continue to helm the company, while Philippe Krakowsky, IPG’s CEO, will join Omnicom’s leadership as co-president and COO alongside Daryl Simm.

Omnicom has been steadily building its technological arsenal to lead in a data-driven advertising world. Following its acquisition of eCommerce platform Flywheel Digital for $853 million in 2023, the company integrated Flywheel’s capabilities into Omni, its AI-enhanced marketing analytics platform. With IPG now in the fold, Omnicom aims to leverage Acxiom—acquired by IPG in 2018—and Interact, IPG’s proprietary marketing platform, to create a unified ecosystem for advanced AI-powered advertising solutions.

During an investment presentation on the day of the announcement, Omnicom highlighted its vision for an AI-centric future. “This merger allows us to harmonize our approach to AI across our expanded portfolio of agencies, fostering innovation and efficiency,” Wren emphasized. The enhanced Omni platform will offer unprecedented insights and optimization capabilities, enabling the combined entity to better serve its clients while staying ahead of technological trends.

The consolidation comes at a time when the “big six” holding companies are facing challenges from in-house marketing teams and independent agencies. In 2024, these holding companies controlled 29.6% of U.S. ad spending, a noticeable decline from their 44% share in 2019. This merger, however, positions Omnicom as a leader capable of reversing this trend, offering clients unmatched scale and integrated solutions.

Omnicom appears confident in overcoming regulatory hurdles that previously derailed its 2013 merger talks with Publicis. Wren assured stakeholders that the company is well-prepared to address any regulatory concerns and emphasized the cultural alignment between Omnicom and IPG as a critical factor for success.