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The Federal Trade Commission has cleared Omnicom’s takeover of Interpublic on the condition that the merged company agrees not to steer advertising dollars away frompublishers based on their political or ideological viewpoints.
“The FTC’s action today prevents unlawful coordination that targets specific political or ideological viewpoints while preserving individual advertisers’ ability to choose where their ads are placed,” Daniel Guarnera, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Competition, said in announcing the consent order.
OMC CEO John Wren is delighted that the IPG deal cleared “this significant hurdle.” He looks forward to obtaining final regulatory approvals and expects to close the transaction during the second half of this year.
The FTC’s consent order is subject to a 30-day public comment period and then final acceptance by the commission.
Swoop, healthcare marketing firm majority owned by New Mountain Capital, acquires Nimble, prescription management platform.
Arketi Group, an Atlanta digital marketing and B2B PR shop, has acquired Braithwaite Communications of Philadelphia.
Infinite, a communications and reputation management firm, has acquired Dukas Linden Public Relations, which represents some of the most prestigious financial institutions in the U.S.
Public Policy Holding Company’s MultiState Assocs. government relations unit has hired Lee Cowen and Nicholas Evans via the acquisition of their respective firms, Cowen Consulting and Putnam Strategies.
Publicis Groupe enters into a definitive agreement to acquire global sports and culture-first agency 160over90.
