Lowe Worldwide CEO, Tony Wright, Unveils ''Next Generation Growth Ne

    Business Editors/Advertising Editors

    NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 17, 2005--

Elimination of Regional Management, 'Lowe Activation' and Focus on 12
    Key Markets Identified as Key

    Tony Wright, Lowe Worldwide President and CEO, today revealed his plans to create what he calls the "next generation growth network." Lowe is a part of The Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG).
    "Anyone who's kept an eye on what's happening in the client world is aware that years of relentless cost-cutting are reaching their natural conclusion. The new focus must be on top line growth. This must change how we think about adding value to client businesses," stated Wright. "The only thing that clients really demand from their agencies is the delivery of breakthrough, multi-media, creative ideas which can be executed globally. We live in a 24/7, interactive, globally-connected world and we believe that in a time of media clutter the power of engagement will win every time."
    Wright also laid out the supporting global structure that will drive the change, replacing a traditional worldwide board and removing a layer of regional management. "We want to cut out barriers between the idea and the client, while delivering seamlessly. But the delivery of these concepts only matters if they are based upon a distinctive and enduring idea," added Wright.
    The new structure that will implement Wright's strategy identifies 12 leading centres of creativity which will also focus on growth. This leaner, more nimble structure capitalizes on the strength of individual "lighthouses" and empowers them to be the expert or leader in their market.
    "There has been much idle speculation about Lowe becoming smaller in order to grow. I'd like to put that rumor to rest. There will be no office closures. That's not what this refocus is about," added Wright.
    Instances of non-traditional cross-over include Stockholm, which becomes the lighthouse for Northern Europe, and Vienna, which becomes the lighthouse over offices in Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic. Paris will be the lighthouse centre for France, Belgium, Holland, Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey and the Benelux. The UK and US lighthouse centres will be London and New York. Lowe Healthcare, the group's global healthcare resource will be the final lighthouse operating out of NY and London. Asia will have four lighthouses, Mumbai, Shanghai, Sydney and Bangkok.
    In addition, Wright introduced 'Lowe Activation' a new resource which will be overseen globally by Ian Creasey and led from London. This new weapon in Lowe's worldwide armory will reside within Lowe and be the access point for a stable of world class IPG sister companies delivering truly innovative solutions. Lowe Activation will offer consultancy, channel planning, and fully integrated communications solutions on a global basis. It will act as a gathering point for handpicked teams, put together to any given brief from a selection of world class IPG companies, namely Draft, R/GA, Jack Morton, Weber Shandwick, Golin Harris, FutureBrand, Initiative Media and Octagon. According to Wright, "The federation of companies we can assemble, with the right level of strategic and creative glue, is simply the best the business can offer. An excellent example illustrating the strength of this partnership is the recently won major global assignment from Nokia".
    Ian Creasey, currently President of Lowe EMEA (Europe Middle East and Africa), has been selected to assume the role of President of Lowe Activation. Creasey's new post is effective immediately.
    Creasey stated, "My role will be to build Lowe's capabilities beyond advertising, in effect creating multi-dimensional and 'state of the art' solutions for our clients on a global basis. The job description for the entire group will be to establish and grow new business opportunities. In short, providing clients with sophisticated brand building communication solutions that go well beyond the much touted holistic programmes we see today".
    In conclusion, Wright added:-
    "Traditional big networks are often too cumbersome to deliver against the modern client's needs. The basis of Frank Lowe's vision and the original DNA of the agency was that it would be a beacon for clients who value creativity above all else. These changes incorporate that vision and transform it to deliver in the 21st century."

--30--PP/ny*

CONTACT: Lowe New York Kathleen Ruane, 917-359-1701 or 212-605-8974 or Lowe London Jeani Rodgers, UK Tel: +44 (0)7768 023126 or +44 (0)7947 828914 or +44 (0)207 894 5042 or Decima Cox UK Tel: +44 (0)207 894 5163 or +44 (0)7767 416740

KEYWORD: NEW YORK UNITED KINGDOM INTERNATIONAL EUROPE INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ADVERTISING/MARKETING SOURCE: Lowe Worldwide

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