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4d ago

FTC Weighs Ban on Political Boycotts in Omnicom-Interpublic Merger

Investigating coordinated advertiser refusals, the FTC has sought documents from major agencies, watchdog groups, other firms in its review of the $13.25 billion merger.

FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson speaking into a microphone while sitting at a table.
Omnicom Group and Interpublic Group logos are seen in this illustration taken December 9, 2024. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
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Overview

  • FTC may require Omnicom and Interpublic to bar ad boycotts based on political views as a condition of approving their merger.
  • Chairman Andrew Ferguson’s agency is probing potential antitrust violations in coordinated advertiser refusals targeting platforms such as X Corp.
  • The FTC has requested documents from top ad firms such as Omnicom, Interpublic, WPP, Dentsu, Havas, Publicis as part of its broad inquiry.
  • Watchdog groups including Media Matters and Ad Fontes Media have been asked to produce records on alleged boycott campaigns.
  • The $13.25 billion all-stock deal would form the world’s largest ad agency with about $25 billion in annual revenue if regulators approve the merger.