The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has given its approval to the proposed acquisition of The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (IPG) by Omnicom Group Inc. This clearance marks a significant step forward for what is poised to be one of the global advertising industry’s most substantial consolidations in recent years.
The proposed combination involves Omnicom gaining sole control of IPG. As per the merger agreement, EXT Subsidiary Inc. (Omnicom Merger Sub), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Omnicom, will be merged with and into IPG. Following this, Omnicom Merger Sub will cease to exist, and IPG will remain the surviving entity, operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Omnicom.
Omnicom, headquartered in New York, is a global leader in marketing and sales solutions, boasting an interconnected network of companies offering a wide array of services including brand advertising, customer relationship management, media planning and buying, public relations, and various specialty communications services. IPG, a Delaware-based company, also provides comprehensive services across media buying and planning, data and engagement solutions, integrated advertising and creativity, public relations, and experiential solutions.
The CCI’s approval, which was officially announced on June 3, 2025, follows a comprehensive review of the transaction’s potential impact on competition within India’s advertising, marketing, and communications sectors. Given the significant market presence of both Omnicom and IPG globally and in India, the CCI assessed potential risks related to market concentration and anti-competitive practices before granting its clearance.
This Indian approval adds to a growing list of regulatory clearances for the merger across various key international markets, including China, Colombia, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. The deal, which was initially announced in December 2024 and valued at approximately $13 billion (an all-stock acquisition), has already received overwhelming shareholder support from both companies in March 2025.
With major regulatory hurdles being cleared, the merger remains on track to close in the second half of 2025. Once completed, the combined entity is projected to become the world’s largest advertising agency network, with an estimated $25.6 billion in annual revenue and a global workforce exceeding 100,000 professionals. Omnicom shareholders will own 60.6% of the merged company, while IPG shareholders will hold the remaining 39.4%. The unified company will retain the Omnicom name and continue trading under the ticker symbol “OMC” on the New York Stock Exchange.
Key Highlights:
- The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved Omnicom Group Inc.’s proposed acquisition of The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (IPG).
- The transaction involves IPG becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of Omnicom, consolidating two major global advertising and marketing firms.
- This approval by the CCI is a key regulatory clearance for the approximately $13 billion all-stock deal, which aims to create the world’s largest advertising network.
- The merger has secured multiple international regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the second half of 2025.