Interpublic merges Draft and FCB
By Adnews Staff
The Interpublic Group of New York is in the process of merging its Draft and FCB units into a single global entity that will be called the Draft FCB Group. Draft chairman and CEO Howard Draft has been appointed chairman and CEO of the joint operation. FCB president and CEO Steve Blamer will stay on through the transition, then depart Interpublic. FCB creative director Jonathan Harries has been appointed worldwide chief creative officer of the new company. “We carefully considered the potential of a combination and believe that the resulting organization will be highly responsive to the new realities that are transforming the consumer and media landscape,” said Interpublic chairman and CEO Michael Roth. “There is still a great deal of work to be done by the full leadership teams of both companies to develop a comprehensive plan and definitive timeline for integration. However, the resulting agency will be uniquely positioned to deliver marketing programs that connect with consumers through powerful creative ideas that drive measurable ROI.” The agency has formed an integration committee that is expected to produce a new organizational and management structure for the firm in approximately 90 days. Full integration of Draft and FCB is expected to take six to 12 months. Independent and separately-branded business units grouped with either agency will continue to operate independently.