Business

IPG trims thousands of jobs and office space ahead of $13.5 billion Omnicom merger

Thursday, 13 November 2025 5:05AM UTC

Interpublic Group prepares for its merger with Omnicom by cutting 3,200 jobs and vacating over 700,000 square feet of office space, as the advertising giants streamline operations ahead of a landmark $13.5 billion deal.

Interpublic Group (IPG) has undertaken significant workforce reductions and office space consolidations as it prepares for its imminent $13.5 billion merger with Omnicom Group, a deal set to create the world’s largest advertising agency by revenue. According to the company’s latest SEC filing, IPG cut approximately 3,200 jobs globally, including 800 layoffs in the third quarter of 2025 alone. Alongside these personnel changes, the holding company vacated over 700,000 square feet of office space, a move aimed at streamlining operations and reducing costs as it approaches the final stages of the merger, which is expected to close by the end of November 2025.

The restructuring initiative at IPG is part of a larger transformation programme designed to optimise expenses ahead of the merger. Industry sources indicate the process is projected to cost between $450 million and $475 million, covering severance packages, lease impairments, and related expenses. The layoffs have impacted various roles across the company, although specific positions affected have not been publicly detailed. This operational trim aligns with efforts to enhance efficiency as the two advertising giants prepare to merge their businesses, which will bring together billions in revenue and tens of thousands of employees worldwide.

Meanwhile, Omnicom Group, IPG’s merger partner, has also taken steps to pare down its workforce in anticipation of the deal. Over the course of 2024, Omnicom cut an estimated 3,000 roles, reducing its global headcount from approximately 77,900 in January 2024 to around 74,900 by the end of that year. The merger arrangement will result in Omnicom shareholders owning 60.6% of the newly combined entity, with IPG shareholders holding the remaining 39.4%, reflecting the shared ownership structure forged at the announcement of the deal in December 2024.

Omnicom’s 2024 Annual Report provides additional context, highlighting the strategic rationale and challenges associated with the merger. The report outlines expected benefits such as cost savings and operating synergies from integrating corporate functions and aligning operating practices across the two organisations. However, it also notes risks, including the complexities of harmonising operations within this larger diversified business and managing the combined workforce effectively.

The proposed combination of these two powerhouse advertising holding companies is poised to reshape the global marketing industry, consolidating their reach, client portfolios, and resources. Yet, as both IPG and Omnicom undertake significant workforce reductions and operational changes, the scale of integration required and associated costs underscore the challenges that lie ahead before the merger reaches completion.

📌 Reference Map:

^[1] (Campaign Live) - Paragraph 1
^[2] (Campaign Live) - Paragraph 2
^[3] (Storyboard18) - Paragraph 2
^[4] (Marketing Beat) - Paragraph 3
^[5] (PR Week) - Paragraph 3
^[6] (Omnicom 2024 Annual Report) - Paragraph 4

Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/ipg-sheds-3200-jobs-vacates-office-space-ahead-omnicom-merger/1939527 - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.campaignlive.com/article/ipg-sheds-3200-jobs-vacates-office-space-ahead-omnicom-merger/1939513 - Interpublic Group (IPG) has reduced its global workforce by 3,200 employees, including 800 in the third quarter of 2025, and vacated 135,000 square feet of office space as part of its restructuring ahead of a $13.5 billion merger with Omnicom. The layoffs affected various roles, and the restructuring is projected to cost between $450 million and $475 million, encompassing severance, lease impairments, and related expenses. The merger is expected to close by the end of November 2025, creating the world's largest advertising group by revenue.
https://www.storyboard18.com/how-it-works/ipg-cuts-3200-jobs-as-of-september-2025-ahead-of-omnicom-takeover-83962.htm - As of September 2025, Interpublic Group (IPG) has reduced its global workforce by 3,200 employees, including 800 in the third quarter, and vacated approximately 135,000 square feet of office space as part of its ongoing cost-optimization efforts. The restructuring is part of a broader transformation programme ahead of its pending $13.5 billion merger with Omnicom Group, expected to close by the end of November 2025. The merger aims to create the world's largest advertising group by revenue.
https://www.marketing-beat.co.uk/2025/02/10/omnicom-job-cuts-ipg-merger/ - Omnicom Group reportedly cut an estimated 3,000 roles throughout 2024 in anticipation of its merger with Interpublic Group (IPG). This reduction brought Omnicom's global headcount down from around 77,900 in January 2024 to 74,900 by December 31, 2024. The merger, announced in December 2024, is expected to create the world's largest advertising agency, with Omnicom shareholders owning 60.6% and IPG shareholders 39.4% of the combined entity.
https://www.prweek.com/article/1905786/omnicom-cut-3000-roles-2024-ahead-ipg-takeover-move - Omnicom Group reduced its global workforce by approximately 3,000 roles in 2024 in preparation for its planned takeover of Interpublic Group (IPG). This reduction decreased Omnicom's headcount from 75,900 at the end of 2023 to 74,900 by December 31, 2024. The merger, announced in December 2024, is expected to create the world's largest advertising agency, with Omnicom shareholders owning 60.6% and IPG shareholders 39.4% of the combined entity.
https://s201.q4cdn.com/282904488/files/doc_financials/2024/ar/Omnicom-Group-Inc-Annual-Report-2024.pdf - Omnicom Group's 2024 Annual Report outlines the company's financial performance and strategic initiatives, including the planned merger with Interpublic Group (IPG). The report discusses potential challenges in integrating the two companies' operations, such as combining corporate functions, managing a larger diversified business, and harmonising operating practices. It also highlights the expected benefits of the merger, including cost savings and operating synergies, and addresses potential risks associated with the integration process.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative is current, with the latest information from November 10, 2025. Earlier reports from August 2025 mention 2,400 job cuts, indicating that the recent report includes updated figures. The presence of a press release suggests a high freshness score. ([campaignlive.com](https://www.campaignlive.com/article/ipg-cuts-2400-jobs-first-half-2025-ahead-omnicom-takeover/1928147?utm_source=openai))

Quotes check

Score: 9

Notes: The report includes direct quotes from IPG's SEC filing and CEO Philippe Krakowsky. These quotes are consistent with previous reports, indicating they are not newly sourced. No significant variations in wording were found. ([campaignlive.com](https://www.campaignlive.com/article/ipg-sheds-3200-jobs-vacates-office-space-ahead-omnicom-merger/1939513?utm_source=openai))

Source reliability

Score: 7

Notes: The narrative originates from Campaign Live, a reputable UK-based publication. However, the presence of a press release suggests that the information may be sourced directly from IPG, which can sometimes lead to biased reporting. ([campaignlive.com](https://www.campaignlive.com/article/ipg-sheds-3200-jobs-vacates-office-space-ahead-omnicom-merger/1939513?utm_source=openai))

Plausability check

Score: 8

Notes: The claims align with previous reports of IPG's restructuring ahead of the Omnicom merger. The reported figures are consistent with earlier reports, and the narrative includes specific details such as the number of job cuts and office space vacated. The tone and language are appropriate for the topic and region. ([campaignlive.com](https://www.campaignlive.com/article/ipg-sheds-3200-jobs-vacates-office-space-ahead-omnicom-merger/1939513?utm_source=openai))

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary: The narrative is current and consistent with previous reports, sourced from a reputable publication. The claims are plausible, with specific details that align with known information. The presence of a press release suggests a high freshness score, but potential bias due to direct sourcing is noted.

Advertising
Mergers and acquisitions
Workforce reduction