Interpublic Completes NFO Acquisition 5/5/00 A new global corporation with revenues of US$5billion and leading positions in market research and consultancy as well as other marketing and media disciplines has been created. Expanding its global range of core advertising and marketing services with the addition of custom and Internet-based marketing research, The Interpublic Group of Companies Inc has announced the completion of its acquisition of NFO Worldwide, Inc. According to Philip H. Geier, Jr., Chairman and CEO of Interpublic, "The value of the strategic fit between Interpublic and NFO is becoming clearer and more pronounced as a result of the dramatic changes occurring globally throughout the marketing and media landscape. Because of the rapidly changing business environment, clients of all sizes and types are demanding more consumer knowledge and insight as a component of marketing programmes as well as the faster delivery of this information. These are exactly the areas where NFO excels. So with NFO now part of the Interpublic family, our set of core global competencies will now range from the basics of consumer understanding to the ultimate in marketing communications delivery." John J. Dooner, Jr., President and COO of Interpublic, noted that NFO would very quickly be introduced to IPG client opportunities as well as its experience operating in a global environment. Mr. Dooner said: "We have been very impressed by NFO's consistent record of research innovation in all areas, including market evaluation, product development, brand management, customer satisfaction, pricing, distribution, and advertising effectiveness. We will now move ahead together not only to share client opportunities but to develop new analytical and measurement tools to better help all of our combined clients better manage and expand their businesses." Ranked as the largest custom marketing research firm in North America and the sixth largest in the world, NFO Worldwide is also a leading provider of Internet-based marketing research. The company will operate as an independent IPG unit. "We are delighted to join the Interpublic Family of Companies and are excited about the opportunity to grow all of NFO's businesses at an accelerated rate," said William E. Lipner, who continues as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of NFO Worldwide. "Interpublic recognises the importance of providing high quality market research services and the role technology is having in the way information is gathered, distributed and used. As we begin to cross-fertilise ideas and clients, we look forward to benefiting from IPG's decades of knowledge and success in doing business around the world," Lipner continued. Interpublic and NFO first announced a definitive merger agreement last December, which was revised in early April. Pursuant to the terms of the revised merger agreement, each NFO shareholder will receive .5503 shares of Interpublic common stock for each share of NFO common stock held on April 20, 2000. NFO stockholders will receive cash for any fractional shares.