IPG job cuts hit 2,400 in early 2025 as the company restructures for its upcoming merger with Omnicom and braces for CMA’s ruling

IPG job cuts have intensified in the first half of 2025, with Interpublic Group (IPG) confirming the reduction of 2,400 roles—about 4.5 percent of its global workforce—as it prepares for its pending takeover by advertising giant Omnicom.

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According to a regulatory filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, IPG eliminated 1,500 jobs between January and March, followed by another 900 through June.

These cuts affected employees across executive ranks, account management, creative, administrative, and media production roles.

While IPG acknowledged the figures, it declined to comment further on the matter.

The move is part of a broader restructuring strategy revealed by CEO Philippe Krakowsky during a February investor call, where he projected $250 million in savings for 2025—exclusive of the anticipated $750 million in efficiencies from the merger with Omnicom.

This follows a significant workforce reduction in 2024, when IPG cut 4,100 positions and ended the year with 53,300 employees.

That drop was attributed partly to agency divestments, including the sales of Hill Holliday and Deutsch New York. The US and UK, IPG’s largest markets, were hardest hit.

By the end of June 2025, the company’s official headcount stood at 51,300.

However, an internal note confirmed that an additional 400 positions had been notified but not yet removed from payroll—effectively reducing the true count to around 50,900.

Omnicom, which reported 74,900 employees at the end of 2024 after a 3,000-role cut, has not issued updated numbers.

The two firms now await a key regulatory decision from the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which launched a Phase 1 investigation into the merger in May.

A verdict on whether the inquiry will progress to a more detailed review is expected by August 13.

These IPG job cuts may reflect short-term disruption, but they underline a clear strategic shift toward operational efficiency as the global advertising landscape braces for consolidation.