Business
IPG cuts 800 roles as APAC revenue declines; implications for Australia’s ad talent market
IPG announces major workforce reductions and cost-optimisation moves amid an 11% revenue dip in the Asia-Pacific region, signalling a tighter talent environment for creative and media professionals in Australia.
Interpublic Group (IPG), one of the world’s leading advertising and communications networks, has confirmed it will shed about 800 jobs during the September quarter, taking the total number of layoffs this year to around 3,200 globally.
The move comes as part of a broader restructuring program aimed at streamlining operations and “driving significant structural expense savings,” according to a note shared with investors. The company has also exited roughly 135,000 square feet of office space as it continues to optimise costs and consolidate teams across regions.
Globally, IPG reported total revenue of US$2.49 billion for the third quarter of 2025, down from US$2.63 billion in the same period last year. In the Asia-Pacific region, which covers Australia and New Zealand, IPG’s revenue dropped by roughly 11% to US$169 million, signalling slower client activity and tighter marketing budgets across several markets.
For Australia’s creative and marketing sector, the news adds another layer of pressure to an already tough hiring environment. With IPG’s footprint in the country spanning agencies such as McCann, Initiative, and UM, the group’s regional realignment could influence opportunities for senior creative, strategy, and account management professionals in the coming months.
Despite the contraction, IPG remains optimistic. The company said new business wins and its upcoming merger with Omnicom — expected to be finalised by year-end pending regulatory approval — would strengthen its global offering and unlock “new efficiencies and innovation opportunities.”
The merger, one of the largest in advertising history, is expected to reshape the industry’s global talent and agency landscape, including across Australia and New Zealand.
The move comes as part of a broader restructuring program aimed at streamlining operations and “driving significant structural expense savings,” according to a note shared with investors. The company has also exited roughly 135,000 square feet of office space as it continues to optimise costs and consolidate teams across regions.
Globally, IPG reported total revenue of US$2.49 billion for the third quarter of 2025, down from US$2.63 billion in the same period last year. In the Asia-Pacific region, which covers Australia and New Zealand, IPG’s revenue dropped by roughly 11% to US$169 million, signalling slower client activity and tighter marketing budgets across several markets.
For Australia’s creative and marketing sector, the news adds another layer of pressure to an already tough hiring environment. With IPG’s footprint in the country spanning agencies such as McCann, Initiative, and UM, the group’s regional realignment could influence opportunities for senior creative, strategy, and account management professionals in the coming months.
Despite the contraction, IPG remains optimistic. The company said new business wins and its upcoming merger with Omnicom — expected to be finalised by year-end pending regulatory approval — would strengthen its global offering and unlock “new efficiencies and innovation opportunities.”
The merger, one of the largest in advertising history, is expected to reshape the industry’s global talent and agency landscape, including across Australia and New Zealand.
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