INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. - Annual Report: 2006 (Form 10-K)

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form 10-K

 

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006

Commission file number 1-6686

 

THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

 

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes o     No x

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  Yes o     No x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to the filing requirements for at least the past 90 days.  Yes x     No o

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer x     Accelerated filer o     Non-accelerated filer o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o     No x

 

As of June 30, 2006, the aggregate market value of the shares of registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates was $3,678,790,921. The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of February 16, 2007 was 468,710,972.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

The following sections of the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 24, 2007 are incorporated by reference in Part III: “Election of Directors,” “Corporate Governance Practices and Board Matters,” “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance,” “Compensation of Executive Officers,” “Non-Management Director Compensation,” “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Report of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors,” “Outstanding Shares,” “Related Party Transactions” and “Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accountants.”

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING DISCLOSURE

 

This annual report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements. Statements in this report that are not historical facts, including statements about management’s beliefs and expectations, constitute forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current plans, estimates and projections, and are subject to change based on a number of factors, including those outlined in this report under Item 1A., Risk Factors. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update publicly any of them in light of new information or future events.

 

Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

 

Investors should carefully consider these factors and the additional risk factors outlined in more detail in Item 1A., Risk Factors, in this report.

 

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

 

Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to these reports, will be made available, free of charge, at our website at http://www.interpublic.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such reports with, or furnish them to, the SEC. Any document that we file with the SEC may also be read and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. Our filings are also available to the public from the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov, and at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). For further information on obtaining copies of our public filings at the NYSE, please call (212) 656-5060.

 

Our Corporate Governance Guidelines, Code of Conduct and each of the charters for the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and the Corporate Governance Committee are available free of charge on our website at http://www.interpublic.com, or by writing to The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc., 1114 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10036, Attention: Secretary.

 

The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. was incorporated in Delaware in September 1930 under the name of McCann-Erickson Incorporated as the successor to the advertising agency businesses founded in 1902 by A.W. Erickson and in 1911 by Harrison K. McCann. The Company has operated under the Interpublic name since January 1961.

 

About Us

 

The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc., together with its subsidiaries (the “Company,” “Interpublic,” “we,” “us” or “our”), is one of the world’s largest advertising and marketing services companies, comprised of communication agencies around the world that deliver custom marketing solutions on behalf of our clients. These agencies cover the spectrum of marketing disciplines and specialties, from traditional services such as consumer advertising and direct marketing, to emerging services such as mobile and search engine marketing. With hundreds of offices in over 100 countries and approximately 42,000 employees, our agencies develop marketing programs that build brands, influence consumer behavior and sell products.

 

To meet the challenge of an increasingly complex consumer culture, we create customized marketing solutions for each of our clients. These solutions vary from project-based work between one agency and its client to long-term, fully-integrated campaigns involving several of our companies working on behalf of a client. Furthermore, our agencies cover all major markets geographically and can operate in a single region or align work globally across many markets.

 

The role of the holding company is to provide resources and support to ensure that our agencies can best meet our clients’ needs. Based in New York City, Interpublic sets company-wide financial objectives and corporate strategy, directs collaborative inter-agency programs, establishes financial management and operational controls, guides personnel policy, conducts investor relations and initiates, manages and approves mergers and acquisitions. In addition, we provide limited centralized functional services that offer our companies operational efficiencies, including accounting and finance, marketing information retrieval and analysis, legal services, real estate expertise, travel services, recruitment aid, employee benefits and executive compensation management.

 

Our Strategy

 

We compete in a fast-changing industry. To keep pace with the trends transforming the media landscape, including new technologies, a proliferation of media channels and changes in consumer habits, we believe a marketing communications group must have a broad spectrum of innovative agency brands to help clients navigate a fragmented market.

 

To keep our company well-positioned, we support our agencies’ initiatives to expand their high-growth capabilities and build their offerings in key developing markets. When appropriate, we also develop relationships with companies that are building leading-edge marketing tools that complement our agencies and the programs they are developing for clients. In addition, we look for opportunities within our company to modernize operations through mergers, strategic alliances and the development of internal programs that encourage intra-company collaboration.

 

In 2006, we took a number of steps to lead our company forward strategically. These initiatives include merging two of our companies to form Draftfcb, a modern, integrated global agency; a realignment of our media assets with our two largest global advertising networks to create a closer working relationship between the two disciplines; a newly focused Lowe with hubs in eight key markets; and strategic digital investments both internally and externally.

 

To manage the broadest range of clients, we continue to maintain separate agency brands in competing disciplines. Having distinct agencies allows us to create custom solutions best suited to specific clients, as well as avoid potential conflicts of interest among clients in the same industry.

 

Our Brands

 

Within Interpublic, we have some of the world’s best known and most innovative communication specialists.

 

Globally, we offer three distinct options for clients seeking large-scale, integrated capabilities across all our disciplines. These include Draftfcb, Lowe Worldwide and McCann Worldgroup.

 

Launched in 2006, Draftfcb is a modern agency model for clients seeking creative and accountable marketing programs. With more than 130 years of combined expertise, the newly formed company has its roots in both consumer advertising and behavioral, data-driven direct marketing. The agency is the first global, behavior-based, highly creative and accountable marketing communications organization to operate with a single income statement.

 

Lowe Worldwide is a premier creative agency that operates in the world’s largest advertising markets. Lowe is focused on delivering and sustaining high-value ideas for some of the world’s largest clients. The quality of the agency’s product is evident in its global creative rankings and its standing in major markets, including the United Kingdom, United States, India, Sweden and much of Latin America. By partnering with Interpublic’s marketing services companies, Lowe generates and executes ideas that are frequently recognized for effectiveness, amplified by smart communication channel planning.

 

McCann Worldgroup, one of the world’s leading marketing communications companies, offers best-in-class communications tools and resources to many of the world’s top companies and most famous brands. As more and more marketers seek additional ways to reach consumers, McCann Worldgroup is exceptionally qualified to meet their demands, in all regions of the world and in all marketing disciplines, through its operating units: McCann Erickson Advertising, with operations in over 100 countries; MRM Worldwide for relationship marketing and digital expertise; Momentum Worldwide for experiential marketing; and McCann Healthcare Worldwide for healthcare communications.

 

Within our group, we also have a unique roster of strong full-service domestic agency brands, including Campbell-Ewald, Campbell Mithun, Deutsch, Hill Holliday, The Martin Agency and Mullen. The integrated marketing programs created by this group have helped build some of the most powerful brands in the U.S., across all sectors and industries.

 

Interpublic also has two leading media specialists, Initiative and Universal McCann. To develop creative ideas that resonate with consumers, brand-building agencies must work closely with media agencies. Initiative and Universal McCann operate independently but were aligned with Draftfcb and McCann Erickson, respectively, in late 2006. This approach is intended to improve cross-media communications and our ability to deliver integrated marketing programs. Our “aligned model” with respect to media differentiates us from our principal competitors.

 

Interpublic also has exceptional specialist firms across the full range of marketing services. These include FutureBrand (corporate branding), Jack Morton (experiential marketing), Octagon (sports marketing), Regan Campbell Ward (healthcare communications), and WeberShandwick (public relations), all of which report into our Constituency Management Group (“CMG”). We also have best-in-class digital agencies, led by R/GA. To further strengthen our emerging-media offering, in late 2006 we formed the Futures Marketing Group, which houses existing high-growth media offerings such as the Interpublic Emerging Media Lab and fosters new media investments and alliances. Many more of our marketing specialists can be found using the “Company Finder” tool on our website, www.interpublic.com.

 

To help clients target fast-growth demographic segments in the U.S. market, Interpublic owns a stake in several multicultural agencies, including abecé (Hispanic), Accent Marketing (Hispanic), The Axis Agency (African American), Casanova Pendrill (Hispanic), IW Group (Asian-Pacific American) and SiboneyUSA (Hispanic).

 

Our Financial Reporting Segments

 

For financial reporting purposes, we have two reportable segments: Integrated Agency Network (“IAN”), which is comprised of Draftfcb, Lowe, McCann, our media agencies and our leading stand-alone agencies, and CMG, which is comprised of the bulk of our specialist marketing service offerings. We also report results for the “Corporate and other” group. Until December 31, 2005, we had an additional segment, Motorsports operations (“Motorsports”), which was sold during 2004 and had immaterial residual operating results in 2005. See Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

 

Principal Markets

 

Our agencies are located in over 100 countries, including every significant world market. We provide services for clients whose businesses are broadly international in scope, as well as for clients whose businesses are limited to

a single country or a small number of countries. The United States (“U.S.”), Europe (excluding the United Kingdom (“U.K.”)), the U.K., Asia Pacific and Latin America represented 55.6%, 16.8%, 9.1%, 8.3% and 4.9% of our total revenue, respectively, in 2006. For further discussion concerning revenues and long-lived assets on a geographical basis for each of the last three years, see Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Sources of Revenue

 

Our revenues are primarily derived from the planning and execution of advertising programs in various media and the planning and execution of other marketing and communications programs. Most of our client contracts are individually negotiated and accordingly, the terms of client engagements and the basis on which we earn commissions and fees vary significantly. Our client contracts are complex arrangements that may include provisions for incentive compensation and govern vendor rebates and credits. Our largest clients are multinational entities and, as such, we often provide services to these clients out of multiple offices and across various agencies. In arranging for such services to be provided, we may enter into global, regional and local agreements.

 

Revenues for creation, planning and placement of advertising are determined primarily on a negotiated fee basis and, to a lesser extent, on a commission basis. Fees are usually calculated to reflect hourly rates plus proportional overhead and a mark-up. Many clients include an incentive compensation component in their total compensation package. This provides added revenue based on achieving mutually agreed-upon qualitative and/or quantitative metrics within specified time periods. Commissions are earned based on services provided, and are usually derived from a percentage or fee over the total cost to complete the assignment. Commissions can also be derived when clients pay us the gross rate billed by media and we pay for media at a lower net rate; the difference is the commission that we earn, which is either retained in total or shared with the client depending on the nature of the services agreement.

 

We pay the media charges with respect to contracts for advertising time or space that we place on behalf of our clients. To reduce our risk from a client’s non-payment, we typically pay media charges only after we have received funds from our clients. Generally, we act as the client’s agent rather than the primary obligor. In some instances we agree with the media provider that we will only be liable to pay the media after the client has paid us for the media charges.

 

We also generate revenue in negotiated fees from our public relations, sales promotion, event marketing, sports and entertainment marketing and corporate and brand identity services.

 

Our revenue is directly dependent upon the advertising, marketing and corporate communications requirements of our clients and tends to be higher in the second half of the calendar year as a result of the holiday season and lower in the first half as a result of the post-holiday slow-down in client activity. Depending on the terms of the client contract, fees for services performed can be primarily recognized three ways: proportional performance, straight-line (or monthly basis) or completed contract. Fee revenue recognized on a completed contract basis also contributes to the higher seasonal revenues experienced in the fourth quarter because the majority of our contracts end at December 31. As is customary in the industry, our contracts generally provide for termination by either party on relatively short notice, usually 90 days. See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of our revenue recognition accounting policies.

 

Clients

 

In the aggregate, our top ten clients based on revenue accounted for approximately 25% of revenue in 2006 and 2005. Based on revenue for the year ended December 31, 2006, our largest clients were General Motors Corporation, Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft, Unilever and Verizon. While the loss of the entire business of any one of our largest clients might have a material adverse effect upon our business, we believe that it is unlikely that the entire business of any of these clients would be lost at the same time. This is because we represent several different brands or divisions of each of these clients in a number of geographic markets, as well as provide services across multiple advertising and marketing disciplines, in each case through more than one of our agency systems. Representation of a client rarely means that we handle advertising for all brands or product lines of the client in all geographical locations. Any client may transfer its business from one of our agencies to a competing agency, and a client may reduce its marketing budget at any time.

 

Personnel

 

As of December 31, 2006, we employed approximately 42,000 persons, of whom approximately 18,000 were employed in the U.S. Because of the service character of the advertising and marketing communications business, the quality of personnel is of crucial importance to our continuing success. There is keen competition for qualified employees.

 

We are subject to a variety of possible risks that could adversely impact our revenues, results of operations or financial condition. Some of these risks relate to the industry in which we operate, while others are more specific to us. The following factors set out potential risks we have identified that could adversely affect us. See also Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Disclosure.

 

 

We have identified numerous material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, and our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2006. For a detailed description of these material weaknesses, see Item 8, Management’s Assessment of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, in this report. Each of our material weaknesses results in more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement will not be prevented or detected. Given the extensive material weaknesses identified, there is a risk of errors not being prevented or detected, which could require us to restate our financial statements in the future. Any such restatements could result in or contribute to regulatory actions or civil litigation, ratings downgrades, negative publicity or difficulties in attracting or retaining key clients, employees and management personnel.

 

We incurred significant professional fees and other expenses in 2006 to prepare our consolidated financial statements and to comply with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, in particular as a result of the extent of the deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting and the extensive additional work and resources required to obtain reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial statements. The cost of this work will continue to be significant in 2007 and beyond.

 

Because of our decentralized structure and our many disparate accounting systems of varying quality and sophistication, we have extensive work remaining to remediate our material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting. We have developed a work plan with the goal of remediating all of the identified material weaknesses by the time we file our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2007. There can be no assurance, however, as to when the remediation plan will be fully implemented and all the material weaknesses remediated. Until our remediation is completed, there will also continue to be a risk that we will be unable to file future periodic reports with the SEC in a timely manner and that a default could result under the indentures governing our debt securities, under any of our credit facilities or under any credit facilities of our subsidiaries.

 

 

The SEC opened a formal investigation in response to the restatement we first announced in August 2002 and the investigation expanded to encompass the restatement we presented in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 that we filed in September 2005 (the “2005 Restatement”). In particular, since we filed our 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K, we have received subpoenas from the SEC relating to matters addressed in our 2005 Restatement. We have also responded to inquiries from the SEC staff concerning the restatement of the first three quarters of 2005 that we made in our 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K. We continue to cooperate with the investigation. We expect that the investigation will result in monetary liability, but because the investigation is ongoing, in particular with respect to the 2005 Restatement, we cannot reasonably estimate the amount, range of amounts or timing of a resolution. Accordingly, we have not yet established any accounting provision relating to these matters. Adverse developments in connection with the investigation, including any expansion of the scope of the investigation, could also negatively impact us and could divert the efforts and attention of our management team from our ordinary business operations.

 

 

The marketing communications business is highly competitive. Our agencies and media services must compete with other agencies, and with other providers of creative or media services, in order to maintain existing client relationships and to win new clients. The client’s perception of the quality of an agency’s creative work, our reputation and the agencies’ reputations are important factors in determining our competitive position. An agency’s ability to serve clients, particularly large international clients, on a broad geographic basis is also an important competitive consideration. On the other hand, because an agency’s principal asset is its people, freedom of entry into the business is almost unlimited and a small agency is, on occasion, able to take all or some portion of a client’s account from a much larger competitor.

 

Many companies put their advertising and marketing communications business up for competitive review from time to time. We have won and lost client accounts in the past as a result of such periodic competitions. Our ability to attract new clients and to retain existing clients may also, in some cases, be limited by clients’ policies or perceptions about conflicts of interest. These policies can, in some cases, prevent one agency, or even different agencies under our ownership, from performing similar services for competing products or companies.

 

 

Employees, including creative, research, media, account and practice group specialists, and their skills and relationships with clients, are among our most important assets. An important aspect of our competitiveness is our ability to attract and retain key employees and management personnel. Our ability to do so is influenced by a variety of factors, including the compensation we award, and could be adversely affected by our recent financial or market performance.

 

 

Economic downturns often more severely affect the marketing services industry than other industries. In the past, some clients have responded to weak economic performance in any region where we operate by reducing their marketing budgets, which are generally discretionary in nature and easier to reduce in the short-term than other expenses related to operations. This pattern may recur in the future.

 

 

Our long-term debt is currently rated Ba3 with negative outlook by Moody’s, B CreditWatch negative by Standard and Poor’s, and B with negative outlook by Fitch. It is possible that our credit ratings will be reduced further. Ratings downgrades or comparatively weak ratings can adversely affect us, because ratings are an important factor influencing our ability to access capital. Our clients and vendors may also consider our credit profile when negotiating contract terms, and if they were to change the terms on which they deal with us, it could have a significant adverse effect on our liquidity.

 

 

In previous years, we have experienced operating losses and weak operating cash flow. Until our margins consistently improve in connection with our turnaround, cash generation from operations could be challenged in certain periods. This could have a negative impact on our liquidity in future years and could lead us to seek new or additional sources of liquidity to fund our working capital needs. There can be no guarantee that we would be able to access any new sources of liquidity on commercially reasonable terms or at all. If we were unable to do so, our liquidity position could be adversely affected.

 

 

We have a large and diverse client base, and at any given time, one or more of our clients may experience financial distress, file for bankruptcy protection or go out of business. If any client with whom we have a substantial amount of business experiences financial difficulty, it could delay or jeopardize the collection of accounts receivable, may result in significant reductions in services provided by us and may have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and liquidity. For a description of our client base, see Item 1, Business — Clients.

 

 

International revenues represent a significant portion of our revenues, approximately 44% in 2006. Our international operations are exposed to risks that affect foreign operations of all kinds, including local legislation, monetary devaluation, exchange control restrictions and unstable political conditions. These risks may limit our ability to grow our business and effectively manage our operations in those countries. In addition, because a significant portion of our business is denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, such as the Euro, Pound Sterling, Canadian Dollar, Brazilian Real, Japanese Yen and South African Rand, fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and such currencies may materially affect our financial results.

 

 

We evaluate all of our long-lived assets (including goodwill, other intangible assets and fixed assets), investments and deferred tax assets for possible impairment or realizability at least annually and whenever there is an indication of impairment or lack of realizability. If certain criteria are met, we are required to record an impairment charge or valuation allowance. In the past, we have recorded substantial amounts of goodwill, investment and other impairment charges, and have been required to establish substantial valuation allowances with respect to deferred tax assets and loss carry-forwards.

 

As of December 31, 2006, we have substantial amounts of long-lived assets, investments and deferred tax assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheet. Future events, including our financial performance and strategic decisions, could cause us to conclude that further impairment indicators exist and that the asset values associated with long-lived assets, investments and deferred tax assets may have become impaired. Any resulting impairment loss would have an adverse impact on our reported earnings in the period in which the charge is recognized.

 

 

From time to time, we communicate to the market certain targets and milestones for our financial and operating performance including, but not limited to, the areas of revenue growth, operating expense reduction and operating margin growth. These targets and milestones are intended to provide metrics against which to evaluate our performance, but they should not be understood as predictions or guidance about our expected performance. Our ability to meet any target or milestone is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties, and we caution investors against placing undue reliance on them. See “Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Disclosure.”

 

 

Our industry is subject to government regulation and other governmental action, both domestic and foreign. There has been an increasing tendency on the part of advertisers and consumer groups to challenge advertising through legislation, regulation, the courts or otherwise, for example on the grounds that the advertising is false and deceptive or injurious to public welfare. Through the years, there has been a continuing expansion of specific rules, prohibitions, media restrictions, labeling disclosures and warning requirements with respect to the advertising for certain products. Representatives within government bodies, both domestic and foreign, continue to initiate proposals to ban the advertising of specific products and to impose taxes on or deny deductions for advertising, which, if successful, may have an adverse effect on advertising expenditures and consequently our revenues.

 

None.

 

Substantially all of our office space is leased from third parties. Several of our leases will be expiring within the next few months, while the remainder will be expiring within the next 18 years. Certain leases are subject to rent reviews or contain escalation clauses, and certain of our leases require the payment of various operating expenses, which may also be subject to escalation. Physical properties include leasehold improvements, furniture, fixtures and equipment located in our offices. We believe that facilities leased or owned by us are adequate for the purposes for which they are currently used and are well maintained. See Note 18 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of our lease commitments.

 

We are or have been involved in legal and administrative proceedings of various types. While any litigation contains an element of uncertainty, we have no reason to believe that the outcome of such proceedings or claims will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition except as described below.

 

SEC Investigation

 

The SEC opened a formal investigation in response to the restatement we first announced in August 2002 and the investigation expanded to encompass our 2005 Restatement. In particular, since we filed our 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K, we have received subpoenas from the SEC relating to matters addressed in our 2005 Restatement. We have also responded to inquiries from the SEC staff concerning the restatement of the first three quarters of 2005 that we made in our 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K. We continue to cooperate with the investigation. We expect that the investigation will result in monetary liability, but because the investigation is ongoing, in particular with respect to the 2005 Restatement, we cannot reasonably estimate the amount, range of amounts or timing of a resolution. Accordingly, we have not yet established any provision relating to these matters.

 

Not applicable.

 

Executive Officers of Interpublic

 

 

 

 

There is no family relationship among any of the executive officers.

 

Mr. Roth became our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, effective January 19, 2005. Prior to that time, Mr. Roth served as our Chairman of the Board from July 13, 2004 to January 2005. Mr. Roth served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The MONY Group Inc. from February 1994 to June 2004. Mr. Roth has been a member of the Board of Directors of Interpublic since February 2002. He is also a director of Pitney Bowes Inc. and Gaylord Entertainment Company.

 

Mr. Camera was hired in May 1993. He was elected Vice President, Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary in June 1994, Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary in December 1995, and Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary in February 2000.

 

Mr. Carroll was named Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer in April 2006. Prior to joining us, Mr. Carroll served as Senior Vice President and Controller of McCann WorldGroup from November 2005 to March 2006. Mr. Carroll served as Chief Accounting Officer and Controller at Eyetech Pharmaceuticals from June 2004 to October 2005. Prior to that time, Mr. Carroll served as Chief Accounting Officer and Controller at MIM Corporation from January 2003 to June 2004 and served as a Financial Vice President at Lucent Technologies, Inc. from July 2001 to January 2003.

 

Mr. Dowling was hired in January 2000 as Vice President and General Auditor. He was elected Senior Vice President, Financial Administration of Interpublic in February 2001, and Senior Vice President, Chief Risk Officer in November 2002. Prior to joining us, Mr. Dowling served as Vice President and General Auditor for Avon Products, Inc. from April 1992 to December 1999.

 

Mr. Krakowsky was hired in January 2002 as Senior Vice President, Director of Corporate Communications. He was elected Executive Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Relations in December 2005. Prior to joining us, he served as Senior Vice President, Communications Director for Young & Rubicam from August 1996 to December 2000. During 2001, Mr. Krakowsky was complying with the terms of a non-competition agreement entered into with Young & Rubicam.

 

Mr. Mergenthaler was hired in August 2005 as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining us, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Columbia House Company from July 2002 to July 2005. Mr. Mergenthaler served as Senior Vice President and Deputy Chief Financial Officer for Vivendi Universal from December 2001 to March 2002. Prior to that time Mr. Mergenthaler was an executive at Seagram Company Ltd. from November 1996 to December 2001.

 

Mr. Sompolski was hired in July 2004 as Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer. Prior to joining us, he served as Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Administration for Altria Group from November 1996 to January 2003.

 

Price Range of Common Stock

 

Our common stock is listed and traded on the NYSE under the symbol “IPG.” The following table provides the high and low closing sales prices per share for the periods shown below as reported on the NYSE. As of February 16, 2007, there were 25,018 registered holders of our common stock.

 

 

Dividend Policy

 

No dividend was paid on our common stock during 2003, 2004, 2005 or 2006. Our future dividend policy will be determined on a quarter-by-quarter basis and will depend on earnings, financial condition, capital requirements and other factors. Our future dividend policy may also be influenced by the terms of certain of our outstanding securities. The terms of our outstanding series of preferred stock do not permit us to pay dividends on our common stock unless all accumulated and unpaid dividends have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid or provision for the payment thereof has been made. In the event we pay dividends on our common stock, holders of our 4.50% Convertible Senior Notes will be entitled to additional interest and the conversion terms of our 4.25% Convertible Senior Notes and our Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, and the exercise prices of our outstanding warrants, will be adjusted (see Notes 10, 11 and 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

 

Transfer Agent and Registrar for Common Stock

 

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is:

 

Mellon Investor Services LLC

480 Washington Boulevard

29th Floor

Jersey City, NJ 07310

Tel: (877) 363-6398

 

Sales of Unregistered Securities

 

Not applicable

Repurchase of Equity Securities

 

The following tables provide information regarding our purchases of equity securities during the fourth quarter of 2006:

 

(i) Repurchase of Common Equity Securities

 

 

 

(ii) Automatic Conversion of 53/8% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock

 

 

 

THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

SUMMARY SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
(Amounts in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts and Ratios)
(Unaudited)

 

 

THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Amounts in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

 

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is intended to help you understand The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”, “Interpublic”, “we”, “us” or “our”). MD&A should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the accompanying notes. Our MD&A includes the following sections:

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY provides an overview of our results of operations and liquidity.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES provides a discussion of our accounting policies that require critical judgment, assumptions and estimates.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS provides an analysis of the consolidated and segment results of operations for 2006 compared to 2005 and 2005 compared to 2004.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES provides an overview of our cash flows, financing, contractual obligations and derivatives and hedging activities.

 

OUT-OF-PERIOD AMOUNTS provides a summary of the impact of out-of-period amounts for 2006 and 2005.

 

INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING describes the status of our compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and related rules. For more detail, see Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, and Item 9A, Controls and Procedures.

 

OTHER MATTERS provides a discussion of other significant items which impact our financial statements, such as the SEC investigation as well as the review of our stock option practices.

 

RECENT ACCOUNTING STANDARDS by reference to Note 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, provides a description of accounting standards which we have not yet been required to implement and may be applicable to our future operations, as well as those significant accounting standards which were adopted during 2006.

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

 

We are one of the world’s largest advertising and marketing services companies, comprised of communication agencies around the world that deliver custom marketing solutions on behalf of our clients. These agencies cover the spectrum of marketing disciplines and specialties, from traditional services such as consumer advertising and direct marketing, to emerging services such as mobile and search engine marketing. To meet the challenge of an increasingly complex consumer culture, we create customized marketing solutions for each of our clients. These solutions vary from project-based work between one agency and its client to long-term, fully-integrated campaigns involving several of our companies working on behalf of a client. Furthermore, our agencies cover all major markets geographically and can operate in a single region or align work globally across many markets.

 

Our strategy is focused on improving organic revenue growth and our operating income, and we are working to achieve a level of organic revenue growth comparable to industry peers and double-digit operating margins by 2008. We analyze period-to-period changes in our operating performance by determining the portion of the change that is attributable to foreign currency rates and the change attributable to the net effect of acquisitions and divestitures, and the remainder is considered the organic change. For purposes of analyzing this change, acquisitions and divestitures are treated as if they occurred on the first day of the quarter during which the transaction occurred.

 

Revenue is directly dependent upon the advertising, marketing and corporate communications requirements of our clients. For 2006, our revenues were negatively affected primarily by the client losses and dispositions that occurred in 2005, and we expect our operating margin will continue to be negatively affected, as compared to our peers, by high expenses for professional fees, although to a decreasing extent. It is typical in our industry to lose or resign from client accounts and assignments for many reasons, including conflicts with recent client wins. We

 

THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — (Continued)
(Amounts in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

believe we are continuing our turnaround and our results for 2006 reflect the challenges we face improving revenues and operating margins. However, we have achieved some notable success in new client wins as well as fewer client losses in 2006, which supports our efforts in our turnaround.

 

Our reported results are affected by fluctuations in the exchange rates of the foreign currencies of our international businesses, principally the Brazilian Real, Canadian Dollar, Japanese Yen, Pound Sterling, South African Rand and Euro. In 2006, the U.S. Dollar was weaker against most of these currencies compared to 2005. In 2005, the U.S. Dollar was weaker against most of these currencies compared to 2004. As a result, the net effect of foreign currency changes from comparable prior year periods was to increase revenues and operating expenses in 2006 and 2005.

 

As discussed in more detail in this MD&A, for 2006 compared to 2005:

 

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

 

Our Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America. Preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures requires us to make judgments, assumptions and estimates that affect the amounts reported and disclosed in the accompanying notes. We believe that of our significant accounting policies, the following critical accounting estimates involve management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments. We consider these accounting estimates to be critical because changes in the underlying assumptions or estimates have the potential to materially impact our financial statements. Management has discussed with our Audit Committee the development, selection, application and disclosure of these critical accounting estimates. We regularly evaluate our judgments, assumptions and estimates based on historical experience and various other factors that we believe to be relevant under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Our revenues are primarily derived from the planning and execution of advertising programs in various media and the planning and execution of other marketing and communications programs. Most of our client contracts are individually negotiated and accordingly, the terms of client engagements and the basis on which we earn commissions and fees vary significantly. Our client contracts are complex arrangements that may include provisions for incentive compensation and govern vendor rebates and credits. Our largest clients are multinational entities and, as such, we often provide services to these clients out of multiple offices and across

 

THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — (Continued)
(Amounts in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

various agencies. In arranging for such services to be provided, it is possible for a global, regional and local agreement to be initiated. Multiple agreements of this nature are reviewed by legal counsel to determine the governing terms to be followed by the offices and agencies involved. Critical judgments and estimates are involved in determining both the amount and timing of revenue recognition under these arrangements.

 

Revenue for our services is recognized when all of the following criteria are satisfied: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (ii) the price is fixed or determinable; (iii) collectibility is reasonably assured; and (iv) services have been performed. Depending on the terms of a client contract, fees for services performed can be primarily recognized in one of three ways: proportional performance, straight-line (or monthly basis) or completed contract. See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

 

Depending on the terms of the client contract, revenue is derived from diverse arrangements involving fees for services performed, commissions, performance incentive provisions and combinations of the three. Commissions are generally earned on the date of the broadcast or publication. Contractual arrangements with clients may also include performance incentive provisions designed to link a portion of the revenue to our performance relative to both qualitative and quantitative goals. Performance incentives are recognized as revenue for quantitative targets when the target has been achieved and for qualitative targets when confirmation of the incentive is received from the client. The classification of client arrangements to determine the appropriate revenue recognition involves judgments. If the judgments change there can be a material impact on our financial statements, and particularly on the allocation of revenues between periods. Incremental direct costs incurred related to contracts where revenue is accounted for on a completed contract basis are generally expensed as incurred. There are certain exceptions made for significant contracts or for certain agencies where the majority of the contracts are project-based and systems are in place to properly capture appropriate direct costs.

 

Substantially all of our revenue is recorded as the net amount of our gross billings less pass-through expenses charged to a client. In most cases, the amount that is billed to clients significantly exceeds the amount of revenue that is earned and reflected in our financial statements, because of various pass-through expenses such as production and media costs. In compliance with Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 99-19, Reporting Revenue Gross as a Principal versus Net as an Agent, we assess whether our agency or the third-party supplier is the primary obligor. We evaluate the terms of our client agreements as part of this assessment. In addition, we give appropriate consideration to other key indicators such as latitude in establishing price, discretion in supplier selection and credit risk to the vendor. Because we operate broadly as an advertising agency based on our primary lines of business and given the industry practice to generally record revenue on a net versus gross basis, we believe that there must be strong evidence in place to overcome the presumption of net revenue accounting. Accordingly, we generally record revenue net of pass-through charges as we believe the key indicators of the business suggest we generally act as an agent on behalf of our clients in our primary lines of business. In those businesses (primarily sales promotion, event, sports and entertainment marketing and corporate and brand identity services) where the key indicators suggest we act as a principal, we record the gross amount billed to the client as revenue and the related costs incurred as operating expenses. Revenue is reported net of taxes assessed by governmental authorities that are directly imposed on our revenue producing transactions.

 

The determination as to whether revenue in a particular line of business should be recognized net or gross involves difficult judgments. If we make these judgments differently, it could significantly affect our financial performance. If it were determined that we must recognize a significant portion of revenues on a gross basis rather than a net basis, it would positively impact revenues, but have no impact on our operating income and an adverse impact on operating margin. Conversely, if it were determined that we must recognize a significant portion of revenues on a net basis rather than a gross basis, it would negatively impact revenues, but have no impact on our operating income and a positive impact on operation margin.

 

We receive credits from our vendors and media outlets for transactions entered into on behalf of our clients that, based on the terms of our contracts and local law, are either remitted to our clients or retained by us. If amounts are to be passed through to clients they are recorded as liabilities until settlement or, if retained by us, are recorded as revenue when earned.

 

THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — (Continued)
(Amounts in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

 

Negotiations with a client at the close of a current engagement could result in either payments to the client in excess of the contractual liability or in payments less than the contractual liability. These items, referred to as concessions, relate directly to the operations of the period and are recorded as operating expense or income.

 

Concession income or expense may also be realized in connection with settling vendor discount or credit liabilities that were established as part of the 2005 Restatement. In these situations, and given the historical nature of these liabilities, we have recorded such items as other income or expense in order to prevent distortion of current operating results. See also Notes 1 and 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

  Stock-Based Compensation

 

On January 1, 2006, we adopted SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment (“SFAS No. 123R”). SFAS No. 123R requires compensation costs related to share-based transactions, including employee stock options, to be recognized in the financial statements based on fair value. We implemented SFAS No. 123R using the modified prospective transition method. Under this transition method, the compensation expense recognized beginning January 1, 2006 includes compensation expense for (i) all stock-based payments granted prior to, but not yet vested as of January 1, 2006, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS No. 123, and (ii) all stock-based awards granted subsequent to December 31, 2005 based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123R. Compensation cost is generally recognized ratably over the requisite service period, net of estimated forfeitures.

 

We use the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to estimate the fair value of options granted, which requires the input of subjective assumptions including the option’s expected term and the price volatility of the underlying stock. Changes in the assumptions can materially affect the estimate of fair value and our results of operations could be materially impacted. The expected volatility factor is based on a blend of historical volatility of our common stock and implied volatility of our tradable forward put and call options to purchase and sell shares of our common stock. The expected term is based on the average of an assumption that outstanding options are exercised upon achieving their full vesting date and will be exercised at the midpoint between the current date (i.e., the date awards have been ratably vested through) and their full contractual term. Additionally, we calculate an estimated forfeiture rate which impacts our recorded expense. See Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

 

  Income Taxes

 

The provision for income taxes includes federal, state, local and foreign taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the year in which the temporary differences are expected to be reversed. Changes to enacted tax rates would result in either increases or decreases in the provision for income taxes in the period of changes. We evaluate the realizability of our deferred tax assets and recognize a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of deferred tax assets will not be realized.

 

The realization of our deferred tax assets is primarily dependent on future earnings. Any reduction in estimated forecasted results may require that we record additional valuation allowances against our deferred tax assets. Once a valuation allowance has been established, it will be maintained until there is sufficient positive evidence to conclude that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be realized. A pattern of sustained profitability will generally be considered as sufficient positive evidence to reverse a valuation allowance. If the allowance is reversed in a future period, our income tax provision will be correspondingly reduced. Accordingly, the increase and decrease of valuation allowances has had and could have a significant negative or positive impact on our future earnings. See Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

 

THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — (Continued)
(Amounts in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

 

  Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

 

We account for our business combinations using the purchase accounting method. The total costs of the acquisitions are allocated to the underlying net assets, based on their respective estimated fair market values and the remainder allocated to goodwill and other intangible assets. Considering the characteristics of advertising, specialized marketing and communication services companies, our acquisitions usually do not have significant amounts of tangible assets as the principal asset we typically acquire is creative talent. As a result, a substantial portion of the purchase price is allocated to goodwill. Determining the fair market value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires management’s judgment and involves the use of significant estimates, including future cash inflows and outflows, discount rates, asset lives and market multiples.

 

We review goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives not subject to amortization during the fourth quarter or whenever events or significant changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. We evaluate the recoverability of goodwill at a reporting unit level. We identified 14 reporting units for the 2006 annual impairment testing that are either the entities at the operating segment level or one level below the operating segment level. We review intangible assets with definite lives subject to amortization whenever events or circumstances indicate that a carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Intangible assets with definite lives subject to amortization are amortized on a straight-line basis with estimated useful lives of up to 15 years. Events or circumstances that might require impairment testing include the loss of a significant client, the identification of other impaired assets within a reporting unit, loss of key personnel, the disposition of a significant portion of a reporting unit, or a significant adverse change in business climate or regulations.

 

SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, specifies a two-step process for goodwill impairment testing and measuring the magnitude of any impairment. The first step of the impairment test is a comparison of the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. Goodwill allocated to a reporting unit whose fair value is equal to or greater than its carrying value is not impaired, and no further testing is required. Should the carrying amount for a reporting unit exceed its fair value, then the first step of the impairment test is failed and the magnitude of any goodwill impairment is determined under the second step. The second step is a comparison of the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill to its carrying value. Goodwill of a reporting unit is impaired when its carrying value exceeds its implied fair value. Impaired goodwill is written down to its implied fair value with a charge to expense in the period the impairment is identified.

 

The fair value of a reporting unit is estimated using traditional valuation techniques such as the income approach, which incorporates the use of the discounted cash flow method and the market approach, which incorporates the use of earning and revenue multiples. These techniques use projections which require the use of significant estimates and assumptions as to matters such as future revenue growth, profit margins, capital expenditures, assumed tax rates and discount rates. We believe that the estimates and assumptions made are reasonable but they are susceptible to change from period to period. For example, our strategic decisions or changes in market valuation multiples could lead to impairment charges. Actual results of operations, cash flows and other factors used in a discounted cash flow valuation will likely differ from the estimates used and it is possible that differences and changes could be material.

 

Our annual impairment reviews as of October 1st, 2006 resulted in an impairment charge of $27.2 at one of our domestic advertising reporting units. See Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information. The excess of the fair value over the carrying value at the low end of the valuation range for each of the non-impaired reporting units ranged from $0.2 to $1,990.2 and $2.4 to $1,501.9 in 2006 and 2005, respectively. For 2006, this excess ranged from $2.4 to $2,400.2 at the high end of the valuation range. In order to evaluate the sensitivity of the fair value calculations on the goodwill impairment test, we applied a hypothetical 10% decrease to the fair values of each reporting unit. For 2006, this would result in the total carrying value being less than the total fair value at the low end of the range by $46.8, which would have triggered additional step two tests. For 2005, this hypothetical 10% decrease would result in the total carrying value being less than the total fair value at the low end of the range by $38.2, which would have triggered additional step two tests.

 

THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — (Continued)
(Amounts in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

 

  Pension and Postretirement Benefits

 

We use various actuarial assumptions in determining our net pension and postretirement benefit costs and obligations. These assumptions include discount rates and expected returns on plan assets and are updated annually or more frequently with the occurrence of significant events. Changes in the related pension and postretirement benefit costs may occur in the future due to changes in the assumptions.

 

The discount rate is one of the significant assumptions that impacts our net pension and postretirement costs and obligations. The discount rates are determined at the beginning of the year based on prevailing interest rates as of the measurement date and are adjusted to match the duration of the underlying obligation. For 2007, we plan to use weighted average discount rates of 5.68%, 4.82% and 5.75% for the domestic pension plans, foreign plans and the postretirement plan, respectively. Changes in the discount rates are generally due to increases or decreases in long-term interest rates. A higher discount rate will decrease our pension cost. A 25 basis point increase or decrease in the discount rate would have decreased or increased the 2006 net pension and postretirement cost by $2.3 and $0.1, respectively. In addition, a 25 basis point increase or decrease in the discount rate would have decreased or increased the December 31, 2006 benefit obligation by $31.4.

 

The expected rate of return on pension plan assets is another significant assumption that impacts our net pension cost and is determined at the beginning of the year. Changes in the rates are due to lower or higher expected future returns based on the mix of assets held and studies performed by our external investment advisors. For 2007, we plan to use weighted average expected rates of return of 8.16% and 7.57% for the domestic and foreign pension plans, respectively. A lower expected rate of return will increase our net pension cost. A 25 basis point increase or decrease in the expected return on plan assets would have decreased or increased the 2006 net pension cost by $1.1. See Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Consolidated Results of Operations

 

  REVENUE

 

  2006 Compared to 2005

 

 

Revenue decreased due to net divestitures partially offset by organic revenue increases and changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Net divestitures primarily impacted the Integrated Agency Networks (“IAN”) segment, largely from Draftfcb and McCann during 2005. There were net organic revenue increases in both our international and domestic locations. The international organic increase was driven by higher revenue from existing clients primarily in the Asia Pacific and Latin America regions partially offset by net client losses, primarily in 2005, at IAN as well as decreases in the events marketing businesses at the Constituency Management Group (“CMG”) in the United Kingdom region. The domestic organic increase was primarily driven by growth in the public relations and branding businesses at CMG as well as higher revenue from existing clients, partially offset by net client losses and decreased client spending at IAN.

 

THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — (Continued)
(Amounts in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

 

  2005 Compared to 2004

 

 

Revenue decreased during 2005 due to net divestitures and organic revenue decreases, partially offset by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The revenue decline from net divestitures was largely due to dispositions at McCann during 2005 primarily in the Europe and United States regions and the sale of the Motorsports business during 2004. The organic revenue decrease was driven by IAN, partially offset by an increase at CMG. The decrease at IAN was a result of client losses and a reduction in revenue from existing clients primarily in our European offices. The increase at CMG was primarily driven by growth in public relations businesses internationally and the sports marketing businesses domestically as a result of increased spending from existing clients and client wins.

 

OPERATING EXPENSES

 

 

Salaries and Related Expenses

 

Salaries and related expenses are the largest component of operating expenses and consist of payroll costs, employee performance incentives, including short and long-term incentive awards, and other benefits associated with client service professional staff and administrative staff. Salaries and related expenses do not vary significantly with short-term changes in revenue levels. However, salaries may fluctuate due to the timing of hiring freelance contractors who are utilized to support business development, changes in the funding levels of short and long-term incentive awards and changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Our financial performance over the past few years has lagged behind our peers, primarily due to lower revenue growth. As a result, salaries and related expenses reflect significant severance charges, primarily incurred in previous years, and investments in hiring creative talent to realign the business for revenue growth and improved operating margins. Also, salaries and related expenses reflect the hiring of additional finance professionals and information technology staff to upgrade system infrastructure and to address weaknesses in our accounting and control environment, as well as to develop shared services.

 

 

THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — (Continued)
(Amounts in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

2006 Compared to 2005

 

Salaries and related expenses decreased during 2006 due to net divestitures, primarily from the sale of several businesses at IAN during 2005, partially offset by changes in foreign currency exchange rates and a slight organic increase. Total salaries and related expenses as a percentage of revenue remained flat as a result of the decline in revenue. Key factors behind the change in salaries and related expenses from the prior year were a significant reduction in severance expense of $63.7, offset by an increase in long-term incentive awards and bonus awards of $67.2. Expenses related to incentive awards increased in 2006 due to long-term equity based awards granted in June 2006 and the full year impact of awards granted in August 2005, while expenses related to bonus awards increased primarily due to performance. The slight organic increase reflected in CMG and Corporate was offset by a decrease at IAN and was primarily the result of higher salary costs to upgrade our talent and to support revenue initiatives and technology-related projects, increased incentive awards and bonus awards. This was partially offset by a decrease in severance expense, primarily at international locations within IAN, which we incurred in 2005 due to client losses.

 

2005 Compared to 2004

 

Salaries and related expenses increased primarily due to an organic increase and changes in foreign currency exchange rates, partially offset by net divestitures, primarily at McCann during 2005 and the sale of the Motorsports business during 2004. The organic increase was primarily the result of higher severance expense, largely recorded in the fourth quarter of 2005 for international headcount reductions within IAN as a result of client losses, the hiring of additional creative talent to enable future revenue growth, additional staff to address weaknesses in our accounting and control environment, and to develop shared services at certain locations.

 

Office and General Expenses

 

Office and general expenses include rent expense, professional fees, expenses attributable to the support of client service professional staff, depreciation and amortization costs, bad debt expense relating to accounts receivable, the costs associated with the development of a shared services center and implementation costs associated with upgrading our information technology infrastructure. Office and general expenses also include costs directly attributable to client engagements. These costs include out-of-pocket costs such as travel for client service professional staff, production costs and other direct costs that are rebilled to our clients.

 

 

2006 Compared to 2005

 

Office and general expenses for 2006 declined as a result of significant reductions in professional fees, which decreased by $93.7, primarily for projects related to our restatement activities and internal control compliance that occurred in 2005, lower production expenses, lower bad debt expenses and net divestitures, primarily due to the sale of several businesses at IAN during 2005. The decline in office and general expenses occurred in both segments as well as Corporate. Partially offsetting this decrease were higher rent expense and reduced foreign exchange gains on certain balance sheet items. The above items resulted in an organic decline which was primarily reflected at Corporate and IAN.

 

2005 Compared to 2004

 

Office and general expenses for 2005 increased as a result of an organic increase and changes in foreign currency exchange rates, partially offset by net divestitures, primarily at McCann during 2005 and the sale of the Motorsports business during 2004. The organic increase was primarily the result of higher professional fees,

 

THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — (Continued)
(Amounts in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

primarily at IAN and our Corporate group, driven by our ongoing efforts in internal control compliance, the 2005 Restatement process and the preliminary development, application and maintenance of information technology systems and processes related to our shared services initiatives.

 

Restructuring and Other Reorganization-Related Charges (Reversals)

 

The components of restructuring and other reorganization-related charges (reversals) were as follows:

 

 

Other Reorganization-Related Charges

 

Other reorganization-related charges primarily represent severance charges directly associated with two significant strategic business decisions: the merger of Draft Worldwide and Foote, Cone and Belding Worldwide to create a global integrated marketing organization called Draftfcb; and our realignment of our media business to meet evolving client needs. In addition, we have recorded lease termination charges in relation to the exit of certain properties for these strategic business decisions. These charges were separated from salaries and related expenses and office and general expenses as they did not result from charges that occurred in the normal course of business. We expect charges relating to these business decisions to be complete during the first half of 2007.

 

Restructuring Charges (Reversals)

 

We record charges and (reversals) primarily related to changes in assumptions in connection with lease termination and other exit costs and severance and termination costs for the 2003 and 2001 restructuring programs. The 2003 program was initiated in response to softness in demand for advertising and marketing services. The 2001 program was initiated following the acquisition of True North Communications Inc. and was designed to integrate the acquisition and improve productivity. A summary of the net charges and (reversals) for the 2003 and 2001 restructuring program is as follows:

 

 

During the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 net lease termination and other exit costs were primarily related to adjustments to management’s estimates to decrease the restructuring reserves as a result of changes in sublease rental income assumptions and utilization of previously vacated properties relating to the 2003 program by certain of our agencies due to improved economic conditions in certain markets.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2004 net lease termination and other exit costs were recorded primarily for the 2003 restructuring program for the vacating of 43 offices located primarily in the U.S. and Europe. Charges were recorded at net present value and were net of estimated sublease rental income. These charges were partially offset primarily by management’s adjustments to estimates as a result of our negotiation of terms upon the exit of leased properties and for other reasons similar to those mentioned above for 2006 and 2005. Severance and termination costs were recorded for a worldwide workforce reduction of approximately 400 employees. The restructuring program affected employee groups across all levels and functions, including executive, regional and account management and administrative, creative and media production personnel. These charges were partially

 

THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — (Continued)
(Amounts in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

offset by adjustments to management’s estimates to reduce the prior restructuring reserves primarily as a result of decreases in the number of terminated employees, change in amounts paid to terminated employees and change in estimates of related restricted stock payments and payroll taxes.

 

Long-Lived Asset Impairment and Other Charges

 

Long-lived assets include land, buildings, equipment, goodwill and other intangible assets. Buildings, equipment and other intangible assets with finite lives are generally depreciated or amortized on a straight-line basis over their respective estimated useful lives. When necessary, we record an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying value of the asset exceeds the implied fair value. See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for fair value determination and impairment testing methodologies.

 

The following table summarizes long-lived asset impairment and other charges:

 

 

2006

 

IAN — Our long-term projections, which were updated in the fourth quarter of 2006, showed previously unanticipated declines in discounted future operating cash flows due primarily to recent client losses at one of our domestic advertising reporting units. These discounted future operating cash flow projections indicated that the implied fair value of goodwill at this reporting unit was less than its book value, resulting in a goodwill impairment charge of $27.2.

 

2005

 

IAN — A triggering event occurred subsequent to our 2005 annual impairment test when a major client was lost by Lowe’s London agency and the possibility of losing other clients was considered a higher risk due to recent management defections and changes in the competitive landscape. This caused projected revenue growth to decline. As a result of these changes, our long-term projections showed declines in discounted future operating cash flows. These revised cash flows indicated that the implied fair value of Lowe’s goodwill was less than the related book value resulting in a goodwill impairment charge of $91.0 at our Lowe reporting unit.

 

IAN — During the third quarter of 2005, we recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $5.8 at a reporting unit within our sports and entertainment marketing business. The long-term projections showed previously unanticipated declines in discounted future operating cash flows and, as a result, these discounted future operating cash flows indicated that the implied fair value of goodwill was less than the related book value.

 

2004

 

IAN — During the third quarter of 2004, we recorded goodwill impairment charges of $220.2 at The Partnership reporting unit, which was comprised of Lowe Worldwide, Draft Worldwide, Mullen, Dailey & Associates and Berenter Greenhouse & Webster (“BGW”). Our long-term projections showed previously unanticipated declines in discounted future operating cash flows due to recent client losses, reduced client spending, and declining industry valuation metrics. These discounted future operating cash flow projections indicated that the implied fair value of goodwill was less than the related book value. The Partnership was subsequently disbanded in the fourth quarter of 2004 and the remaining goodwill was allocated to the agencies within the Partnership based on the relative fair value of its component agencies at the time of disbandment.

 

THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — (Continued)
(Amounts in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

 

CMG — As a result of the annual impairment review, a goodwill impairment charge of $91.7 was recorded at our CMG reporting unit, which was comprised of Weber Shandwick, GolinHarris, DeVries, MWW Group and FutureBrand. The fair value of CMG was adversely affected by declining industry market valuation metrics, specifically, a decrease in the EBITDA multiples used in the underlying valuation calculations. The impact of the lower EBITDA multiples indicated that the implied fair value of goodwill was less than the related book value.

 

Motorsports Contract Termination Costs

 

We recorded a pre-tax charge of $113.6 during 2004 terminating a series of agreements with the British Racing Drivers Club and Formula One Administration Limited, which released us from certain guarantees and lease obligations in the United Kingdom.

 

EXPENSE AND OTHER INCOME

 

 

Interest Expense

 

The increase in interest expense during 2006 was primarily due to increases in non-cash amortization of approximately $27.0. This included the amortization of fees and deferred warrant costs incurred as a result of the ELF Financing transaction, prior year benefit from the amortization of gains on terminated swaps and the amortization of the remaining costs associated with our previous committed credit agreement. Additionally, the increase was due to one-time fees associated with the exchange of our Floating Rate Notes in 2006. The 2006 year-over-year comparison benefited from the fact that we did not incur waiver and consent fees similar to those incurred in 2005 for the amendment of the indentures governing our debt securities and our credit facility.

 

The increase in interest expense during 2005 was primarily due to waiver and consent fees incurred for the amendment of our existing debt agreements in 2005 and higher average interest rates on newly issued debt when compared to extinguished debt.

 

Interest Income

 

The increase in interest income during 2006 was primarily due to an increase in interest rates and higher average cash balances compared to the prior year.

 

The increase in interest income during 2005 was primarily due to an increase in average interest rates as well an increase in cash and cash equivalents primarily resulting from our Series B Cumulative Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock offering.

 

THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — (Continued)
(Amounts in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

 

Other Income (Expense)

 

 

Loss on early extinguishment of debt — In November 2006, we exchanged $400.0 of our 4.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2023 (the “4.50% Notes”) for $400.0 aggregate principal amount of 4.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2023 (the “4.25% Notes”). In accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 96-19, Debtor’s Accounting for a Modification or Exchange of Debt Instruments, this exchange is treated as an extinguishment of the 4.50% Notes and an issuance of 4.25% Notes for accounting purposes because the present value of the remaining cash flows plus the fair value of the embedded conversion option under the terms of the original instrument differ substantially from the new instrument. As a result, we recorded a non-cash charge at issuance of $77.0, reflecting the difference between the fair value of the new debt and the carrying value of the old debt. The difference between fair value and carrying value will be amortized to interest expense through March 15, 2012, which is the first date holders may require us to repurchase the 4.25% Notes. This results in a reduction of reported interest expense of $14.4 per year in future annual periods. We also recorded a non-cash charge of $3.8 for the extinguishment of unamortized debt issuance costs related to the exchanged 4.50% Notes.

 

Gains (losses) on sales of businesses — In connection with the 2005 sale of a European FCB agency, we released $11.1 into income in the fourth quarter of 2006. This primarily related to certain contingent liabilities that we retained subsequent to the sale, which were resolved in the fourth quarter of 2006. During the fourth quarter of 2005, we had net gains related to the sale of a McCann agency of $18.6, offset partially by a loss of $13.0 from the sale of a European FCB agency. In 2004, we had net losses related to the sale of 19 agencies. The losses related primarily to the sale of a U.S.-based promotions agency, which resulted in a loss of $8.6, and a $6.2 loss for the final liquidation of the Motorsports investment.

 

We have evaluated each asset held for sale and disposed entity on an individual and an aggregate basis to determine if they should be classified as a component of discontinued operations in our consolidated financial statements. We believe that the impact of these dispositions and assets held for sale are not material to our consolidated financial statements. These dispositions and assets held for sale, in the aggregate, provided income to continuing operations of $2.5 for the year ended December 31, 2006.

 

Vendor discount and credit adjustments — These adjustments reflect the reversal of certain liabilities, primarily established during the 2005 Restatement, where the statute of limitations has lapsed or where negotiations with clients have resulted in concessions. We may have similar reversals in the future, although to a lesser extent than in 2006. We believe that presenting amounts realized due to lapses in the statute of limitations or concession settlements as other income or expense prevents the trend of operating results from being distorted. For further information on vendor discounts and credits see Notes 1 and 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Gains on sales of available-for-sale securities and miscellaneous investment income — In the second quarter of 2006, we had net gains of $20.9 related to the sale of an investment located in Asia Pacific and the sale of our remaining ownership interest in an agency within The Lowe Group. In addition, during the third quarter of 2006, we sold our interest in a German advertising agency and recognized the related remaining cumulative translation adjustment balance, which resulted in a non-cash benefit of $17.0. In 2005, we had net gains of $8.3 related to the

 

THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — (Continued)
(Amounts in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

sale of our remaining equity ownership interest in an agency within FCB, and net gains on sales of available-for-sale securities of $7.9, of which $3.8 related to appreciation of Rabbi Trust investments restricted for the purpose of paying our deferred compensation and deferred benefit arrangement liabilities.

 

Investment Impairments — We recorded charges of $12.2 during 2005, primarily related to a $7.1 adjustment of the carrying amount of our remaining unconsolidated investment in Latin America to fair value as a result of our intent to sell and $3.7 related to a decline in value of certain available-for-sale investments that were determined to be other than temporary.

 

We recorded investment impairment charges of $63.4 during 2004, primarily related to a $50.9 charge for an unconsolidated investment in a German advertising agency as a result of a decrease in projected operating results. Additionally, we recorded impairment charges of $4.7 related to unconsolidated affiliates primarily in Israel, Brazil, Japan and India, and $7.8 related to several other available-for-sale investments.

 

Litigation Reversals — During 2004 the settlement of thirteen class actions under the federal securities laws became final and we agreed to pay $115.0, comprised of $20.0 in cash and $95.0 in shares of our common stock valued at $14.50 per share. We received insurance proceeds of $20.0, which we recorded as a reduction in litigation charges. We also recorded a reduction of $12.5 relating to a decrease in the share price between the tentative settlement date and the final settlement date.

 

INCOME TAXES

 

 

The tax provision for 2006 was primarily impacted by domestic losses, foreign profits subject to tax at different rates and losses in certain foreign locations where we receive no tax benefit due to 100% valuation allowances. Other factors included state and local taxes, the write-off of deferred tax assets from restricted stock, the release of valuation allowances, non-deductible financing costs and the reversal of previously claimed foreign tax credits.

 

The tax provision for 2005 was primarily impacted by an increase in valuation allowances, a non-deductible asset impairment, state and local taxes and the resolution of various income tax audits and issues.

 

Valuation Allowance

 

Under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, we are required to evaluate the realizability of our deferred tax assets. SFAS No. 109 requires that a valuation allowance be recognized when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of deferred tax assets will not be realized. In circumstances where there is significant negative evidence, establishment of valuation allowance must be considered. We believe that cumulative losses in the most recent three-year period represent significant negative evidence under the provisions of SFAS No. 109 and, as a result, we recognized a valuation allowance for certain deferred tax assets. The deferred tax assets for which an allowance was recognized relate primarily to tax credit carryforwards, foreign tax loss and U.S. capital loss carryforwards, which may not be realized in the future.

 

During 2006 and 2005, valuation allowances of $63.6 and $69.9, respectively, were recorded in continuing operations on existing deferred tax assets, each year’s loss and temporary differences. The total valuation allowance as of December 31, 2006 and 2005 was $504.0 and $501.0, respectively.

 

THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — (Continued)
(Amounts in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

 

During 2004, a valuation allowance of $236.0 was established in continuing operations on existing deferred tax assets and 2004 losses with no benefit. The total valuation allowance as of December 31, 2004 was $488.6.

 

For additional information, see Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Segment Results of Operations

 

As discussed in Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, we have two reportable segments as of December 31, 2006: IAN and CMG. We also report results for the Corporate and other group. As of December 31, 2005, we had an additional segment, Motorsports operations (“Motorsports”), which was sold during 2004 and had immaterial residual operating results in 2005.

 

On June 1, 2006, we announced we would merge two units included in our IAN segment, Draft Worldwide (“Draft”) and Foote, Cone & Belding Worldwide (“FCB”), to create a global integrated marketing organization. The new merged entity, Draftfcb, remains within the IAN segment.

 

INTEGRATED AGENCY NETWORKS (‘‘IAN”)

 

REVENUE

 

2006 Compared to 2005

 

 

The revenue decline in 2006 was a result of net divestitures, primarily from the sale of several businesses at Draftfcb and McCann in 2005, partially offset by an organic increase and changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The organic increase was driven primarily by McCann and Draftfcb, partially offset by decreases at Lowe and The Works, one of our independent agencies. The organic increase at McCann was the result of higher revenue from existing clients across domestic and international regions, primarily Asia Pacific and Latin America. McCann’s increase was primarily driven by digital, direct and event marketing services. The increase at Draftfcb was primarily the result of increased spending from existing clients partially offset by net client losses, primarily in 2005, across domestic and most international regions, primarily Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America. The decrease at Lowe was primarily due to reduced spending by existing clients and net client losses, primarily in domestic locations in 2005. The revenue decrease at The Works, a dedicated General Motors resource, was primarily due to the loss of the General Motors U.S. media buying business in 2005.

 

2005 Compared to 2004

 

 

The revenue decline in 2005 primarily resulted from organic revenue decreases and net divestitures, partially offset by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The organic revenue decrease was primarily driven by declines at Deutsch and Lowe, partially offset by increases at Draftfcb and Mullen. The decline at Deutsch was due to client losses and reduced spending from existing clients domestically, partially offset by client wins. The decline

 

THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — (Continued)
(Amounts in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

at Lowe was primarily driven by client losses and reduced spending from existing clients in their European offices, as well as reduced spending domestically. Draftfcb experienced growth mainly domestically due to client wins and increased spending from existing clients. Although McCann is a significant part of the business, they did not contribute considerably to the organic change in revenue year over year. The decrease due to net divestitures primarily related to the sale of small businesses at McCann and Draftfcb.

 

SEGMENT OPERATING INCOME

 

 

2006 Compared to 2005

 

Operating income increased during 2006 due to a decrease in office and general expenses of $139.7, a decrease in salaries and related expenses of $99.2, partially offset by a decrease in revenue of $97.2. The primary drivers for our reduced office and general expenses related to lower production expenses of $46.4, reduced professional fees of $26.3 and lower bad debt expense of $22.2. The primary drivers for our reduced salaries and related expenses related to lower severance expense of $63.1 and decreased salaries of $42.0.

 

The organic segment operating income increase was driven primarily by increases at McCann, partially offset by net decreases at our independent agencies. The increase at McCann was due to higher revenue as discussed above in the revenue section and reduced office and general expenses and salaries and related expenses. Office and general expenses decreased due to lower production expenses, reduced professional fees in connection with accounting projects, such as those related to our restatement activities, and lower bad debt expenses. Salaries and related expenses decreased primarily due to reduced severance expense for headcount reductions that occurred in international locations in 2005 and reduced pension costs, partially offset by higher incentive and bonus awards due to improved performance. The net decline at our independent agencies was driven by decreased revenue, primarily at The Works, for the reasons mentioned above in the revenue section.

 

2005 Compared to 2004

 

A decrease in revenues of $71.4, an increase in salaries and related expenses of $202.3 and an increase in office and general expenses of $53.7 were the primary drivers that contributed to the decrease in operating income during 2005. IAN’s organic operating income decrease was primarily driven by McCann, Draftfcb, Lowe and Deutsch. The decrease at McCann was primarily caused by increased severance, temporary staffing costs, salary and related benefits and professional fees. Higher severance expense was the result of international headcount reductions. Temporary staffing and salary and related benefits were impacted by additional staffing necessary to address weaknesses in our accounting and control environment. Professional fees increased as a result of costs associated with the 2005 Restatement process and internal control compliance. The decrease at Draftfcb was due to higher salaries and freelance costs as additional staff were hired to service new clients and additional business from existing clients as well as increased severance costs reflecting headcount reductions at our international agencies. At Lowe, the decrease was primarily due to organic revenue decreases as compared to the prior year. Deutsch experienced organic revenue decreases as compared to the prior year, partially offset by lower salaries, related benefits and freelance costs due to client losses and reduced incentive compensation expense as a result of a reduction in operating performance. Also, operating income of most units was negatively impacted by higher professional fees to support the 2005 Restatement process and internal control compliance.

 

THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — (Continued)
(Amounts in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

 

CONSTITUENCY MANAGEMENT GROUP (“CMG”)

 

REVENUE

 

2006 Compared to 2005

 

 

Revenue growth was a result of organic revenue increases in the public relations and branding businesses domestically, which was due to higher revenue from existing clients. Additionally, there were organic revenue increases domestically in the sports marketing and events marketing businesses due to higher revenue from existing clients and client wins. The domestic increase was partially offset by declines at some CMG agencies that lost clients. Internationally, the decline related primarily to a decrease in the events marketing and sports marketing businesses caused by client losses. The international decrease was partially offset by increases in the public relations and branding businesses due to higher revenue from existing clients.

 

2005 Compared to 2004

 

 

Revenue growth was a result of an organic revenue increase in the public relations businesses internationally and the sports marketing businesses domestically as a result of increased spending from existing clients and client wins. Domestically, the increase in the sports marketing businesses was offset by a decline in the events marketing businesses. Although revenue from the events marketing businesses declined domestically, they had an overall positive impact on our organic revenue increase due to international client wins. Partially offsetting this increase were the dispositions of two businesses in 2005 and three businesses in 2004.

 

SEGMENT OPERATING INCOME

 

 

2006 Compared to 2005

 

Operating income decreased slightly, primarily as a result of an increase in salaries and related expenses of $32.0, partially offset by a decrease in office and general expenses of $14.6 and an increase in revenue of $16.0. The primary driver for our increase in salaries and related expenses was higher base salaries expense of $22.3 and the primary driver for our decrease in office and general expenses was lower production expenses of $19.8. The slight organic segment operating income decrease was due to decreases in the sports marketing businesses and other CMG agencies, offset by growth at the public relations and branding businesses. The decline in the sports marketing

 

THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — (Continued)
(Amounts in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

businesses was due to revenue decreases due to client losses and increases in salaries and related expenses due to higher bonus awards related to improved domestic performance. The decrease in other CMG agencies was due to decreased revenue for the reasons described in the revenue section. Growth at the public relations businesses was driven by increased revenue, partially offset by higher salaries and related expenses from increased headcount to support the growth in the business. The increase at the branding businesses was driven primarily by higher revenue from existing clients.

 

2005 Compared to 2004

 

Operating income decreased due to an increase of $23.3 in salary and related expenses and an increase in office and general expenses of $15.8, partially offset by an increase in revenue of $8.4. The organic operating income decrease was primarily driven by increases in salary expense across all businesses due to increased headcount to address weaknesses in our accounting and control environment. The decrease was also attributable to increases in salary expenses in the public relations businesses to support revenue growth.

 

CORPORATE AND OTHER

 

Certain corporate and other charges are reported as a separate line within total segment operating income (loss) and include corporate office expenses and shared services center expenses, as well as certain other centrally managed expenses that are not fully allocated to operating divisions, as shown in the table below. The amounts allocated to operating divisions are calculated monthly based on a formula that uses the revenues of the operating unit. Amounts allocated also include specific charges for information technology-related projects, which are allocated based on utilization. See Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of corporate and other charges. The following expenses are included in corporate and other:

 

 

2006 Compared to 2005

 

Corporate and other expenses decreased primarily due to reduced professional fees and higher amounts allocated to operating divisions, partially offset by higher rent, depreciation and amortization and increased salaries and related expenses. We incurred lower professional fees for accounting projects, which included those related to our prior-year restatement activities. Higher rent, depreciation and amortization were due to software-related costs from our ongoing initiatives to consolidate and upgrade our financial systems, as well as to further develop our shared services. Salaries and related expenses increased due to higher headcount, primarily related to our technology initiatives, and for larger incentive compensation and bonus awards related to performance. Amounts allocated to operating divisions increased primarily due to the implementation of new information technology-related projects, the consolidation of information technology support staff, and the allocation of audit fees, which are now being allocated back to operating divisions.

 

2005 Compared to 2004

 

Corporate and other expenses increased primarily due to higher salaries and related expenses and professional fees. Salary expenses increased from additional staffing to address weaknesses in our accounting and control

 

THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — (Continued)
(Amounts in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

environment and to develop shared services. Professional fees increased due to costs associated with internal control compliance, costs associated with the 2005 Restatement process, and related audit costs. Amounts allocated to operating divisions increased primarily due to the implementation of new information technology-related projects and the consolidation of information technology support staff, the costs of which were not being allocated back to operating divisions in 2004.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

CASH FLOW OVERVIEW

 

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities decreased by $234.4 to $1,957.1 during 2006 primarily due to fees associated with capital market activity, capital expenditures and working capital usage, partially offset by improved operating results and proceeds from sales of investments. Of this change, marketable securities decreased by $114.2. A summary of our cash flow activities is as follows:

 

 

Operating Activities

 

Cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to improved operating results during 2006, partially offset by working capital usage of $250.6. Working capital usages reflects changes in accounts receivable, expenditures billable to clients, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable and accrued liabilities. Media buying on behalf of our clients affects our working capital and operating cash flow. In most of our businesses, we collect funds from our clients which we use, on their behalf, to pay production costs and media costs. The amounts involved substantially exceed our revenues, and primarily impact the level of accounts receivable, expenditures billable to clients, accounts payable and accrued media and production liabilities in any given period for these pass-through arrangements. Our assets include both cash received and accounts receivable from clients for these pass-through arrangements, while our liabilities include amounts owed on behalf of clients to media and production suppliers. Generally, we pay production and media charges after we have received funds from our clients, and our risk from client nonpayment has historically not been significant.

 

During 2006, a reduction in accounts payable of $370.0 was partially offset by a reduction in accounts receivable of $235.4. The change in accounts payable includes a reduction of our vendor discount and credit liabilities established as part of the 2005 Restatement of $73.6, of which $53.1 was satisfied through cash payments. Cash used by changes in accrued liabilities of $21.4 was primarily the result of higher accrued media liabilities, offset by payments for professional fees primarily related to our prior year restatement activities. Accrued liabilities are also affected by the timing of certain payments. For example, while employee incentive awards are accrued throughout the year, they are generally paid during the first quarter of the subsequent year.

 

The net loss of $31.7 during 2006 includes non-cash items that are not expected to generate cash or require the use of cash. Net non-cash expense items of $294.4 primarily include the loss on early extinguishment of debt, long lived asset impairment and other charges, add-back of depreciation of fixed assets and the amortization of intangible assets, restricted stock awards and non-cash compensation, bond discounts and deferred financing costs.

 

Investing Activities

 

Cash provided by investing activities during 2006 primarily reflects net maturities of short-term marketable securities, capital expenditures, acquisitions and divestitures and purchases and sales of investments. The cash flows attributable to short-term marketable securities vary from one period to another because of changes in the

 

THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — (Continued)
(Amounts in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)