Top News
Holding Company Consolidation: The Omnicom/IPG Merger and Implications for Communicators and Clients
The announcement of Omnicom Group's acquisition of Interpublic Group (IPG) may seem like a blockbuster moment in the marketing world and it is. Still, arguably, it’s more indicative of a failing model than a cause for celebration. The $13 billion all-stock deal creates the largest advertising agency by revenue, yet it also underscores the bloated, outdated nature of the traditional holding company system. Many clients are no longer looking for size—they demand agility, efficiency, results and accountability. In this light, the merger feels less like a step forward and more like a final attempt to hold on to a structure that is becoming obsolete. By Claudia Gioia - Co-Founder and Managing Partner PERCEPTUAL ADVISORS. Business Communications Executive | Marketing, Communications, Crisis Communications & Public Affairs Expert Consultant
The big just got even bigger (but not better)
As I write this, Omnicom has confirmed that it plans to buy IPG for around $14 billion. If completed, it would create the world's largest advertising holding company. The industry headlines make it sound inevitable. Scale is everything. Except... is it? By Amar Chohan - Founder - Department of Creative Affairs.
Roberto Alcazar to head Horizon Media new entity One Horizon
Horizon Media unveiled One Horizon, a full-service, general-market advertising agency. This new agency underscores Horizon Media's evolving vision and commitment to offering sophisticated, integrated solutions that harness the power of technology, data, and creativity to forge more meaningful consumer-brand connections. Building on a robust year-over-year growth of 35% across content services within Horizon enterprise, One Horizon positions the agency as a critical player in reshaping how marketing, media, and creative services converge to meet the complex demands of modern brands.
Omnicom to Acquire Interpublic Group to Create Premier Marketing and Sales Company
Omnicom and The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. announced their Boards of Directors have unanimously approved a definitive agreement pursuant to which Omnicom will acquire Interpublic in a stock-for-stock transaction. The combined company will bring together the industry’s deepest bench of marketing talent, and the broadest and most innovative services and products, driven by the most advanced sales and marketing platform. Together, the companies will expand their capacity to create comprehensive full-funnel solutions that deliver better outcomes for the world’s most sophisticated clients.
Global Advertising Forecast Projects 9.5% Growth in Total 2024 Advertising Revenue [REPORT]
GroupM, WPP’s media investment group, published the topline findings of its End-of-Year Global Advertising Forecast for 2024. The report, which analyses advertising investments over the last 12 months and shares projections for 2025 and beyond, finds that strong performance of the largest sellers of advertising and increased digital expansion have propelled growth in global advertising investment to 9.5% this year. The industry will surpass $1 trillion in total revenue for the first time in 2024 (excluding U.S. political advertising) and grow another 7.7% in 2025 to reach $1.1 trillion.
Media Innovation to Propel the Global Ad Market Towards the Trillion Mark
The winter update of MAGNA’s “Global Ad Forecast” reveals that media owners’ net advertising revenues (NAR) reached $933 billion in 2024, growing +10.3% over 2023. This is in line with MAGNA’s mid-year prediction (+10.0%) and a significant acceleration on the global growth recorded in 2023 (+6.4%). +10.3% is the strongest growth rate observed by MAGNA in 25 years (excluding the post-COVID surge in 2021 of +23%).
Do Marketers Have the Time & Resources to Boost Efficiency and Performance?
According to a recent McKinsey & Company study, marketers believe that they are being asked to "do more, with less." Further, many survey respondents feel ill-equipped to deliver on the expanded expectations of the marketing departmen
Advertising Is Being Lost in Translation
On the surface, Sofia Coppola's Lost in Translation is about two foreigners navigating a place where they don't speak the language. However, the real message is that even when people share the same words, the real meaning can still be lost as it is translated into different personal contexts.
Gen Z Latinas and Beauty: The Impact of Culture, Tradition, and Social Media
As the beauty and skincare industry evolves, it increasingly reflects the diverse cultural landscape among consumers. Latina skincare highlights the unique blend of tradition, culture, and modern influence that shapes beauty routines across generations. Latina beauty practices are deeply connected to cultural identity, family traditions, and a growing interest in natural, evidence-based skincare solutions. Social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok have brought a renewed focus on Latina skincare, influencing younger generations like Gen Z. This article explores how culture and social platforms influence consumer behavior and product preferences, offering insights for brands looking to engage with this dynamic and influential group.
Earning trust as gen AI takes hold: 2024 Connected Consumer
In this fifth edition of Deloitte’s Connected Consumer study,1 we continue to report on US consumers’ digital lives. The Deloitte Center for Technology, Media & Telecommunications surveyed nearly 4,000 US consumers in June 2024, asking them about their tech-device and -services spending, online activities, perspectives on digital life, digital boundaries, data privacy and security concerns, use of generative AI, and trust in tech companies.
