IPG CONSOLIDATES NZ BUSINESS - LOWE, RIVET AND DRAFT FCB TO JOIN FORCES

Interpublic Group (IPG) is to consolidate its New Zealand businesses, with a move by Draft FCB, Lowe and Rivet into a shared business hub in Freemans Bay early next year.
Draft FCB New Zealand Chairman and CEO Bryan Crawford said the integration made sense in terms of cultural fit as well as further efficiencies made possible by bringing the businesses together. Each agency would continue to trade under its own brand, but back office functions would be integrated.
Draft FCB’s strong performance meant it had outgrown its current premises in Parnell and is relocating with Lowe and Rivet into larger premises in Wellington Street, Freeman’s Bay, early in the New Year.
Mr Crawford said the move reflected a desire for further business improvement locally and would deliver further benefits to clients while IPG’s CEO Michael Roth was quoted recently in the US as saying “As we look to 2008, we are asking companies across Interpublic with analogous business models to come up with ways to increase efficiencies.”
General Manager of Lowe and Rivet Peter Brown says the move is a very positive one for the agency which had ended the year strongly.
“We now have a solid and sustainable base on which to continue to build the business and believe our clients will benefit from the synergies that will arise from our new shared location,” he said.
The move will mean that Group Chief Executive Lowe and Rivet Australasia Stephen Pearson and Chief Executive Office Rivet Australasia Judy Lewis relinquish their CEO responsibilities for Lowe and Rivet in New Zealand to concentrate on building the Australian businesses.
Mr Pearson said that the re-organisation in New Zealand made sense for each business and IPG as a whole.