MarketingClick–Interpublic Group of Cos. Inc., the world’s No. 3 advertising group, said it was in preliminary talks that could lead to one or several major acquisitions, Reuters reported.
The New York-based Interpublic, which owns McCann-Erickson and the Lowe Group, said last Thursday in a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing that it routinely evaluates potential acquisition candidates.
“Interpublic is currently engaged in a number of preliminary discussions that may result in one or more substantial acquisitions,” Interpublic said in the filing. The company added: “These acquisition opportunities require confidentiality and from time to time give rise to bidding scenarios that require quick responses by Interpublic.”
The company, which acquired ad agency Deutsche Inc. in November, said “the success of recent or contemplated future acquisitions will depend on the effective integration of newly acquired businesses into Interpublic’s current activities.
Shares of Interpublic were up 38 cents to $36.35 in early trading Tuesday on the New York Stock Exchange.
Its filing came as France’s Havas Advertising, the world’s fourth largest advertising group, said it was open to acquisitions in traditional advertising as well as in marketing services.
Sources said in January that Havas was in talks to acquire True North Communications Inc., the Chicago-based advertiser. Havas’ last major buy came in September, when it acquired the U.S. firm Snyder Communications.
Shares of True North added 35 cents at $38.60 on the NYSE.
