Interpublic Announces Second Quarter and First Half Results

Summary:
-- Revenue

-- Second quarter 2006 revenue of $1.53 billion, compared to
$1.61 billion the same period a year ago. First half 2006
revenue of $2.86 billion, compared to $2.94 billion during
the first six months of 2005.

-- Organic revenue decrease of 3.1% compared to the second
quarter of 2005, with approximately 2.7% of the decrease
due to the timing of revenue recognition (primarily higher
revenue deferrals from first to second quarter of 2005
than in 2006). Increased spending by existing clients and
new client wins this year offset prior year client losses,
such that, for the first half of 2006, organic revenue
increase was 0.5% relative to 2005.

-- Operating and Net Results

-- During the second quarter, operating expenses decreased to
$1.46 billion in 2006 from $1.50 billion last year. For
the first half, operating expenses declined to $2.94
billion this year from $2.99 billion in 2005. In both
cases, lower expenses reflect previously disclosed
business dispositions, while in the second quarter an
additional driver was lower professional fees.

-- Operating income in the second quarter of 2006 was $76.9
million, compared to $115.5 million in 2005. For the first
half of 2006, operating loss was ($82.9) million, compared
to ($53.6) million in 2005.

-- Second quarter net income was $68.9 million and net income
applicable to common shareholders was $46.9 million, or
$0.11 per diluted share, compared to $3.5 million, or
$0.01 per diluted share a year ago. Year-to-date, net loss
applicable to common shareholders was ($125.1) million, or
($0.29) per share, lower than the net loss of ($147.2)
million, or ($0.35) per share during the first half of
2005.

"We've been clear that the bar on organic revenue would be highdue to last year's client losses. Organic performance for the firsthalf demonstrates that we've been successful in replacing these lostrevenues through six months, which is a significant accomplishmentthat positions us well going forward. During the second quarter, wealso saw the first indications of stepped-down professional fees, inline with our previous disclosure. A major focus for the balance ofthis year will be on managing costs and delivering marginimprovement," said Michael I. Roth, Chairman and CEO of Interpublic."Our CMG and McCann units are performing well and we are confidentthat the new directions we are taking with Draft FCB Group and Lowewill yield positive results. We believe that we remain on track tomeet the 2008 turnaround goals outlined at Investor Day."

Second Quarter 2006 Operating Results

Revenue

Reported revenue of $1.53 billion in the second quarter of 2006was down 4.8% compared with the year-ago period. During the quarter,the effect of foreign currency translation was positive 1.0%, theimpact of net divestitures was negative 2.8% and the resulting organicdecline in revenue was 3.1%. Of this organic decrease, approximately2.7% was due to the timing of revenue recognition, more specificallyhigher revenue deferrals from first to second quarter of 2005, whichdid not occur to the same extent in 2006.

For the first six months of 2006, reported revenue was $2.86billion, down 2.7% compared to the first half of last year. The effectof foreign currency translation in the second quarter was negative0.3%, the impact of net divestitures was negative 2.8% and theresulting organic revenue increase was 0.5%.

For both the second quarter and first half of 2006, organicrevenue growth was solid in the Asia Pacific and Latin Americanregions, and down moderately in continental Europe and the UnitedKingdom. In the United States, organic revenue was down in the quarterprimarily affected by timing of revenue recognition and wasessentially flat year-to-date, primarily reflecting increased spendingfrom existing clients.

Operating Expenses

During the second quarter, salary and related expenses was $951.4million, approximately flat compared to the same period in 2005.Adjusted for currency and the net effect of acquisitions/divestitures,salary and related expenses increased 0.9%. For the six months of2006, salary and related expenses was $1.9 billion, a decrease of 1.4%compared to the same period in 2005. Adjusted for currency and the neteffect of acquisitions/divestitures, salary and related expenses inthe first half of 2006 increased 1.3%.

Compared to the same period in 2005, second quarter 2006 officeand general expenses decreased 7.1% to $504.6 million. Adjusted forcurrency and the net effect of acquisitions/divestitures, office andgeneral expenses decreased 3.6%, primarily reflecting lowerprofessional fees, which declined from $67.9 million in the 2005period to $48.6 million in the current quarter. For the first half of2006, office and general expenses decreased 3.0% to $1.04 billion.Adjusted for currency and the net effect of acquisitions/divestitures,office and general expenses increased 1.7%, primarily reflectinghigher occupancy expenses, in addition to software-related costsassociated with upgrading financial systems and further developingshared services.

Non-Operating and Tax

Net interest expense in the second quarter of 2006 was flatcompared to the same period in 2005. Other income in the quarterincreased from $4.3 million in 2005 to $24.6 million in 2006,reflecting the gain on the sale of a non-strategic investment in AsiaPacific during the second quarter.

The provision for income tax in the second quarter of 2006 was$1.8 million, compared to $79.9 million in the same period of 2005,due to the release of a valuation allowance related primarily to anet operating loss carry-forward in a foreign jurisdiction and therelease of tax reserves triggered by the resolution of prior periodtax audit activities during the second quarter.

Balance Sheet

At June 30, 2006, cash, cash equivalents and marketable securitiestotaled $1.58 billion, compared to $1.59 billion at June 30, 2005, and$1.63 billion at the end of the first quarter of this year. Total debtwas $2.2 billion, as of both June 30 and March 31, 2006.

About Interpublic

Interpublic is one of the world's leading organizations ofadvertising agencies and marketing services companies. Major globalbrands include Draft FCB Group, FutureBrand, GolinHarrisInternational, Initiative, Jack Morton Worldwide, Lowe Worldwide,MAGNA Global, McCann Erickson, Momentum, MRM, Octagon, UniversalMcCann and Weber Shandwick. Leading domestic brands includeCampbell-Ewald, Carmichael Lynch, Deutsch, Hill Holliday, Mullen, TheMartin Agency and R/GA.

Cautionary Statement

This release contains forward-looking statements. Statements inthis release that are not historical facts, including statements aboutmanagement's beliefs and expectations, constitute forward-lookingstatements. These statements are based on current plans, estimates andprojections, and are subject to change based on a number of factors,including those outlined in our 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K underItem 1A, Risk Factors. Forward-looking statements speak only as of thedate they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update publiclyany of them in light of new information or future events.

Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks anduncertainties. A number of important factors could cause actualresults to differ materially from those contained in anyforward-looking statement. Such factors include, but are not limitedto, the following:

-- risks arising from material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, including material weaknesses in our control environment;

-- potential adverse effects to our financial condition, results of operations or prospects as a result of our restatements of financial statements;

-- our ability to satisfy certain reporting covenants under our indentures;

-- our ability to attract new clients and retain existing clients;

-- our ability to retain and attract key employees;

-- risks associated with assumptions we make in connection with our critical accounting estimates;

-- potential adverse effects if we are required to recognize impairment charges or other adverse accounting-related developments;

-- potential adverse developments in connection with the ongoing SEC investigation;

-- potential downgrades in the credit ratings of our securities;

-- risks associated with the effects of global, national and regional economic and political conditions, including fluctuations in interest rates and currency exchange rates; and

-- developments from changes in the regulatory and legal environment for advertising and marketing and communications services companies around the world.

Investors should carefully consider these factors and theadditional risk factors outlined in more detail in our 2005 AnnualReport on Form 10-K under Item 1A, Risk Factors.


THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED SUMMARY OF EARNINGS
SECOND QUARTER REPORT 2006 AND 2005 (UNAUDITED)
(Amounts in Millions except Per Share Data)

Three Months Ended June 30,
---------------------------
Fav.
2005 (Unfav.)
2006 Restated % Variance
-------------------------------------
Revenue:
United States $ 867.4 $ 924.0 (6.1)
International 665.5 686.7 (3.1)
------------ ----------- -----------
Total Revenue 1,532.9 1,610.7 (4.8)
------------ ----------- -----------

Operating Expenses:
Salaries and Related Expenses 951.4 953.7 0.2
Office and General Expenses 504.6 543.4 7.1
Restructuring Charges
(Reversals) -- (1.9) N/A
------------ ----------- -----------
Total Operating Expenses 1,456.0 1,495.2 2.6
------------ ----------- -----------

Operating Income 76.9 115.5 (33.4)
------------ ----------- -----------

Expenses and Other Income:
Interest Expense (52.0) (42.2)
Interest Income 26.4 16.5
Investment Impairments (0.3) (3.6)
Other Income 24.6 4.3
------------ -----------
Total (Expenses) and Other
Income (1.3) (25.0)
------------ -----------

Income before Provision for
Income Taxes 75.6 90.5
Provision for Income Taxes 1.8 79.9
------------ -----------
Income of Consolidated Companies 73.8 10.6
Income Applicable to Minority
Interests, net of tax (6.2) (3.7)
Equity in Net Income of
Unconsolidated Affiliates, net
of tax 1.3 2.3
------------ -----------
Net Income 68.9 9.2

Dividends on Preferred Stock 11.9 5.0
Allocation to Participating
Securities 10.1 0.7
------------ -----------
Net Income Applicable to Common
Stockholders $ 46.9 $ 3.5
============ ===========

Earnings Per Share of Common
Stock:
Basic $ 0.11 $ 0.01
Diluted $ 0.11 $ 0.01
Weighted Average Number of
Common Shares Outstanding:
Basic 426.6 424.8
Diluted 494.3 429.6




THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED SUMMARY OF EARNINGS
SECOND QUARTER REPORT 2006 AND 2005 (UNAUDITED)
(Amounts in Millions except Per Share Data)


Six Months Ended June 30,
-------------------------
Fav.
2005 (Unfav.)
2006 Restated % Variance
-------------------------------------
Revenue:
United States $ 1,642.9 $ 1,662.1 (1.2)
International 1,217.0 1,276.8 (4.7)
------------- ----------- -----------
Total Revenue 2,859.9 2,938.9 (2.7)
------------- ----------- -----------

Operating Expenses:
Salaries and Related Expenses 1,902.1 1,928.8 1.4
Office and General Expenses 1,040.3 1,072.5 3.0
Restructuring Charges
(Reversals) 0.4 (8.8) N/A
------------- ----------- -----------
Total Operating Expenses 2,942.8 2,992.5 1.7
------------- ----------- -----------

Operating Loss (82.9) (53.6) (54.7)
------------- ----------- -----------

Expenses and Other Income:
Interest Expense (98.1) (89.1)
Interest Income 52.3 31.4
Investment Impairments (0.3) (3.6)
Other Income 25.4 19.0
------------- -----------
Total (Expenses) and Other
Income (20.7) (42.3)
------------- -----------

Loss before Provision (Benefit)
for Income Taxes (103.6) (95.9)
Provision (Benefit) for Income
Taxes (7.0) 39.3
------------- -----------
Loss of Consolidated Companies (96.6) (135.2)
Income Applicable to Minority
Interests, net of tax (6.0) (4.9)
Equity in Net Income of
Unconsolidated Affiliates, net
of tax 1.3 2.9
------------- -----------
Net Loss (101.3) (137.2)

Dividends on Preferred Stock 23.8 10.0
------------- -----------
Net Loss Applicable to Common
Stockholders $ (125.1)$ (147.2)
============= ===========

Loss Per Share of Common Stock -
Basic and Diluted $ (0.29)$ (0.35)
Weighted Average Number of
Common Shares Outstanding:
Basic and Diluted 426.3 424.3