Credit: Clay Banks via Unsplash
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has approved Omnicom Group’s acquisition of Interpublic Group (IPG), clearing the final major regulatory hurdle for the proposed US$19.9 billion global deal.
“The CMA has cleared the proposed acquisition by Omnicom Group Inc. of The Interpublic Group of Companies Inc.”
“The full text of the decision will be published shortly,” the regulator said in a statement.
The approval follows earlier clearances from regulators in Australia, New Zealand and the US.
The deal, announced in December 2024, will create the world’s largest advertising and marketing services company by revenue and is expected to deliver up to US$750 million in annual cost synergies.
Omnicom’s portfolio includes DDB, TBWA, OMD, PHD, Clemenger Group and Hearts & Science.
In Australia, the ACCC found the merger would increase Omnicom’s market share but not substantially lessen competition, citing the continued presence of WPP, Publicis Groupe, Dentsu and independent agencies.
New Zealand’s Commerce Commission reached a similar conclusion, despite submissions from independents warning of reduced agency choice and disproportionate buying power in media channels.
In the US, the Federal Trade Commission approved the deal with behavioural conditions prohibiting the merged entity from shifting ad spend based on political or ideological grounds, unless directed by a client.
Omnicom has already begun restructuring parts of its global operations in preparation for the takeover.
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