IPG POSTS 25% RISE IN Q4 NET
Interpublic on Feb. 24 reported a 24.9 percent rise in fourth-quarter net to $278.3M on a 3.4 percent revenue uptick to $2.1B.
CEO Michael Roth said the ad/PR combine benefitted from investments in digital talent, robust growth in overseas markets and vitality in the U.S.
Organic growth rose 2.8 percent for the quarter and 6.1 percent for the full-year. Roth predicts organic growth to advance three percent in 2012.
Harris Diamond, who heads Weber Shandwick and IPG’s constituency management group, told O’Dwyer’s PR organic growth rose a “fantastic” 13.5 percent during Q4 and 10 percent for the year driven by across-theboard business spurts. Digital, social media, consumer, high-tech and healthcare were stand-out performers.
Citing great strides in putting IPG’s financial house in order, Roth announced a $300M share repurchase program.
He said the buyback shows “our continued commitment to returning capital to shareholders as well as confidence in the sustainability of our company’s strong performance.”
For the full-year, IPG earned $551.5M vs. $261.1M in 2010.
STRATACOMM DRIVES NISSAN US PR PACT
Nissan North American has put Stratacomm in the PR driver’s seat for the U.S., after a competitive review.
The work includes media relations, thought leadership, event and program management supporting the Nissan brand before consumers in the U.S.
The company worked with Edelman in the past but there was no incumbent in the review.
John Fitzpatrick, senior partner for FleishmanHillard-owned Stratacomm, noted Nissan will have 20 new vehicles debuting over the next 24 months, including New York City’s “Taxi of Tomorrow.”
David Reuter, VP of corporate communications for Nissan Americas, said it is the “ideal time to be more vocal in telling our story and with increased frequency.”
Nissan in September realigned by integrating brand, marketing and communications under a global unit based at its Yokohama, Japan, headquarters under VP Simon Sproule. |
