Interpublic Names Nick Brien CEO of Universal McCann; Global Player to Lead Media Powerhouse

The Interpublic Group of Companies (NYSE: IPG) announcedtoday that it has hired Nick Brien to serve as Chief Executive Officerand President of Universal McCann. Mr. Brien, 43, comes to Interpublicafter a long career at Publicis Groupe's Leo Burnett and Starcom,where he played key roles in shaping and leading those companies'media, advertising and integrated marketing offerings. Brien will bebased in New York and will report to Mark Rosenthal, therecently-appointed Chairman and CEO of Interpublic's media operations.Murray Dudgeon, who had taken on the CEO role at Universal McCann onan interim basis, will remain with the company in his role as ChiefOperating Officer.

"Nick Brien is more than just a top-tier international mediaexecutive," said Mr. Rosenthal. "He brings a unique breadth ofexperience, having also led an ad agency and a multi-disciplinarymarketing services firm. He's known as a passionate client partner whounderstands the big picture and the growing need to build brands withfully-integrated media solutions. His extensive experience in themedia and marketing arena, as well as his strategic and operationalskills, will be a major asset. He'll be an incredible partner for meand a great collaborator with John Dooner and the leadership of McCannWorldgroup."

"Nick is a terrific talent and a dynamic executive," said McCannWorldgroup Chairman and CEO, John Dooner. "He is absolutely the rightperson to lead Universal McCann forward as part of the next generationmedia offering Mark Rosenthal is creating. Plus with his uniquebackground encompassing both media and marketing communications, heprovides UM with the ideal complementary link to Worldgroup's full setof capabilities."

Brien has more than two decades of experience in the industry.Since February of 2004, he served as CEO of Arc Worldwide, the mainumbrella marketing services brand of Publicis Groupe. Arc Worldwide isthe global combination of four entities: Arc Marketing, Frankel, iLeoand Semaphore Partners. Under Brien's leadership, Arc Worldwide wonsignificant new business, as well as top creative recognition in majorindustry competitions.

Prior to his role at Arc, Brien was President of CorporateBusiness Development for Starcom MediaVest Group (SMG). At Starcom, hepioneered innovative ways to engage consumers and create relevantbrand experiences. On his watch, Starcom launched a full portfolio ofspecialized marketing communications companies. He also establishedSMG Diversified Services which was comprised of various specializedcommunications companies, supplemented by a number of key strategicalliances. He was the catalyst in positioning SMG as the leader inmarketing communications strategy and was responsible for ensuringthat SMG's diversified capabilities maximized its clients' marketingeffectiveness.

Before joining SMG, Brien was CEO of Leo Burnett London, where heexpanded the agency's integrated marketing offerings and significantlyraised creative standards. Under his leadership, the London office ofLeo Burnett was named the world's most creative agency by The GunnReport and was the most awarded agency in the film category at Cannes.He first joined Leo Burnett London in 1992 as Media Director. He beganhis career at Grey London and then worked at WCRS.

About Universal McCann

Universal McCann is one of the world's largest media service firmsproviding strategic services and consultancies in the areas oftraditional and non-traditional media planning and buying,communications architecture, digital technologies, research andmodeling.

About Interpublic

Interpublic is one of the world's leading organizations ofadvertising agencies and marketing-services companies. Major globalbrands include Draft, Foote Cone & Belding Worldwide, FutureBrand,GolinHarris International, Initiative, Jack Morton Worldwide, LoweWorldwide, MAGNA Global, McCann Erickson, Octagon, Universal McCannand Weber Shandwick. Leading domestic brands include Campbell-Ewald,Deutsch and Hill Holliday.