17204: The Wonder Drug That Works Wonders For The Health Of White Holding Companies.

 

Adweek reported IPG nabbed the Bayer global consumer health account. Or is the scenario technically a win for Omnicom, the White holding company poised to acquire IPG?

 

Omnicom reportedly participated in the review, so maybe it’s a twist on Corporate Cultural Collusion, a crafty practice the ginormous enterprise has mastered over the years.

 

At least IPG CEO Philippe Krakowsky sorta exits on a high note, perhaps offsetting the 2024 loss of Pfizer and subsequent mass layoffs and prunings. Then again, the impending Omnicom-IPG deal is predicted to prompt dismissals too.

 

The entire scenario is a headache-inducing spectacle—although Bayer is a remedy currently preferred over Tylenol…

 

IPG Wins Bayer’s $720M Global Consumer Health Account 

 

The integrated remit spans media, creative, and production

 

By Audrey Kemp

 

Interpublic Group (IPG) has been named global creative, production, and media partner for Bayer’s Consumer Health division, leading marketing for brands including Aspirin, Claritin, and Alka-Seltzer, the companies told ADWEEK.

 

The integrated model brings creative, production, and media together under one holding company globally and aims to create efficiencies by using AI.

 

The shift consolidates Bayer’s agency roster, which previously spanned WPP’s EssenceMediacom for media buying and multiple shops, including IPG’s MullenLowe and Omnicom’s BBDO, for creative. WPP and Omnicom also took part in the review, per industry reports.

 

Bayer’s global media billings totaled an estimated $720 million in 2024, per COMvergence. IPG will begin work on the account on Jan. 1.

 

“Our new agency model addresses two competing forces in today’s marketing landscape—the need for more connection and individuality alongside greater efficiency and automation,” David Evendon-Challis, chief marketing and scientific officer at Bayer Consumer Health, said in a statement. “IPG understands how data, AI, and creative must converge in this new era and came forward with a strong offering that brings together world class capabilities, innovative technologies, and creativity. “

 

IPG CEO Philippe Krakowsky said the partnership brings “the full IPG ecosystem together” to “deliver bold ideas, smarter media, and technology-enabled production that accelerate growth, deepen consumer trust, and drive results across markets.”

 

According to a source, FCB led the pitch and will take a big role on the creative side of the account. Tyler Turnbull, global CEO of FCB, said on LinkedIn: “A massive congratulations to everyone across FCB and IPG on this new partnership with Bayer. Excited for what’s to come and grateful for the wonderful collaboration that powered this win around the world.”

 

For IPG, the Bayer win comes ahead of its acquisition by Omnicom, expected to close in the second half of 2025. The FTC has cleared the deal (with conditions) and other markets, including the U.K., have also granted approval.

 

In a release, Bayer’s Evendon-Challis said the company is “excited for [IPG] to join with us on this journey and by the opportunity of what is possible when their planned combination with Omnicom is complete.”

 

“We look forward to tapping additional talent and capabilities on Bayer’s behalf once we join forces with Omnicom,” Krakowsky said.

17113: Compensation Charts Show Holding Company Honchos Holding Lotsa Loot.

 

Adweek published content exposing the paychecks of CEOs at White holding companies, even displaying the Advertising CEO-to-Employee Pay Ratio (depicted below).

 

Iconic Management Expert Peter F. Drucker advocated a ratio of 20 to 1 and stated, “I have often advised managers that a 20 to 1 salary ratio is the limit beyond which they can not go if they don’t want resentment and falling morale to hit their companies.”

 

Interestingly enough, Sir Martin Sorrell is the only honcho abiding by Drucker’s recommendation—although he greatly exceeded the ratio when serving as WPP Overlord.

 

Drucker was correct in recognizing the ratio could ignite resentment and falling morale. Mission accomplished, boys!

 

In the end, it just goes to show how it pays to be a White man in Adland.

17064: Mergers Expose Inconvenient Truths.

 

Adweek reported the Circle K acquisition of 7-Eleven is nearing completion, mirroring the Omnicom acquisition of IPG.

 

Circle K owner Alimentation Couche-Tard stated, “For many years, we have firmly believed that there is a unique strategic fit between Couche-Tard and [7-Eleven owner] Seven & i, and that we can achieve significantly more together than each of our companies can achieve individually, including accelerating the global growth of the iconic 7-Eleven brand and strengthening the Seven & i business in many parts of the world.”

 

At the start of the Adland deal, Omnicom Group Chairman-CEO-Pioneer of Diversity John Wren stated, “[I]f you look at Interpublic and Omnicom, you look at the people that make it up, including the leadership, we actually share core values. Since the creation of both groups, I think that there’s quite a number of people who have spent time in the [each] other company over their careers,” and IPG advertising brands will “continue to be fully present in order to drive growth.”

 

To ignore the redundancies of Polar Pop and Froster vs Big Gulp^® and Slurpee^®—as well as DDB and BBDO vs McCann and FCB—displays delusion, denial, and deception.

 

Expect staffers at White advertising agencies within Omnicom and IPG to soon be seeking positions at Circle K and 7-Eleven.

 

Circle K Owner’s Purchase of 7-Eleven Nears Completion

 

The deal could be worth $50 billion

 

By Mark Mwachiro

 

A non-disclosure agreement has been reached between 7-Eleven owner Seven & i and the owner of Circle K, Alimentation Couche-Tard, signaling the potential final steps of a proposed mega-merger between the two convenience store giants. 

 

If the deal is completed, it will be worth nearly $50 billion.

 

By signing the NDA, the two parties can progress with transaction discussions, facilitate due diligence, and collaborate on plans to engage with regulators.

 

According to Forbes, Paul Yonamine, chair of Japanese company Seven & i’s special committee looking into the takeover proposal, issued a statement saying, “The execution of the NDA is a positive step in the constructive engagement process with Couche-Tard.” 

 

He added, “We remain committed to pursuing two parallel paths to ensure that value for shareholders and other stakeholders is maximized.”

 

7-Eleven is owned by the Japanese-based company, while ACT is Canadian-owned with net earnings of around $641.4 million in its most recent fiscal quarter.

 

In a statement on the proposed merger, ACT said, “For many years, we have firmly believed that there is a unique strategic fit between Couche-Tard and Seven & i, and that we can achieve significantly more together than each of our companies can achieve individually, including accelerating the global growth of the iconic 7-Eleven brand and strengthening the Seven & i business in many parts of the world.”

 

As part of the NDA, there is a provision that ACT not conduct a hostile takeover while still exploring its growth plans.

17036: Delivering Bullshit In Adland.

 

Adweek reported Uber and Instacart teamed up to sell advertising.

 

Hey, maybe the rivalry-turned-partnership will lead to more jobs—which is great news for the pathetic legions about to become redundant when Omnicom acquires IPG.

 

Expect lots of advertising people to become delivery drivers, while Omnicom Chairman-CEO-Pioneer of Diversity John Wren and IPG CEO Philippe Krakowsky drive off scot-free.