Omnicom is set to cut more than 4,000 jobs and shutter a number of agency brands as part of its restructuring following the completion of its $13bn takeover of Interpublic (IPG).
The deal has turned Omnicom, which has dramatically increased its Northern presence through its Newcastle office over the last two years, into the world’s largest advertising agency by revenue, overtaking France’s Publicis and dropping WPP into third place.
The combination of Omnicom and IPG could result in the closure of some of the industry’s most historic agency names.
Creative agency DDB, founded in 1949 and led by William Bernbach, and the creative marketing agency MullenLowe will be folded into Omnicom’s TBWA, an executive has told the Financial Times, while FCB, which traces its history back to 1873, will be absorbed into Omnicom’s BBDO.
Omnicom boss John Wren said more than 4,000 jobs would be cut as part of the integration of IPG, mainly in administrative roles but some in leadership positions too.
The cuts should be seen against the backdrop of similar restructuring at rivals such as WPP, he explained, but added: “Anybody that was generating revenue before December last year has a very good position with us today.”
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The latest round of job losses comes after IPG cut 2,400 jobs in the first half of 2025, on top of about 4,000 last year, taking headcount to about 51,000. Omnicom last year reduced staff numbers by 3,000 to about 75,000.
The comes as large tech companies such as Google and Meta, as well as AI’s growing presence in the industry, increasingly threaten create jobs with quickly made, cheap alternatives and the abilty to offer both the creative process and platform for brands’ ad needs.
The deal cleared its final hurdle when it was approved by European regulators last week.
Wren, who will remain as chair and chief executive of the enlarged group, said the financial benefits of the merger would exceed $750m in annual cost savings, with exact figures to be provided early in 2026.
While some brands will be shut, it is understood that McCann will remain, as well as OMD, FleishmanHillard, Golin, Weber Shandwick, as well as others yet to be confirmed.
Omnicom’s Philip Angelastro will stay as chief financial officer of the combined group, while Omnicom president and chief operating officer Daryl Simm will now share the role with Philippe Krakowsky, the former chief executive of IPG.
