Gratitude

To Global IPG Employees, December 23, 2022

Once again, I’m writing as we wrap up another unusual year – our third amid the ebb and flow of a pandemic, along with the changes and challenges COVID has brought into our lives. And that’s before adding the crisis of war in Ukraine, compounded by other geopolitical issues across the globe.?

Yet, even though we are dealing with the implications of so many things that are to some degree beyond our control, this past year did bring a sense that we are finding our footing in a “new normal” – when it comes to how we’ll keep doing great work for clients, continue to move our business forward and, most important, how we show up for one another.?

As many of you will have heard me say, no matter where you are and how it is that you mark this time of year, the holidays are ultimately about celebration, reflection, and gratitude.?

On the first count, as a company we have a lot to celebrate. Including the powerful ideas that our agency brands continue to create for our clients, across every communication and media channel, in so many countries around the world. Campaigns and solutions that are based on human insights and great storytelling that embody (and often combine) creativity and technology. And work that succeeds in connecting with people, building awareness, and driving business results for our clients.?

Thanks to your work and talent, in 2022 we were once again ranked as the #1 most creatively effective holding company. That’s the ultimate validation of the work we do together. It’s also what allowed us to keep growing our business and continue delivering the strongest multi-year financial performance in our sector.

As we think back on this past year, though, it’s not just what we accomplished that counts, but how our values manifest in our culture, and the ways that each of us, as individuals, support one another.?

That’s reflected in so many ways. Such as our colleagues who opened their hearts, workspaces and homes to Ukrainian co-workers and refugee families. Or in those among us who continued to take strong positions in support of consumer privacy, brand safety and data ethics at a time when some in the digital media ecosystem are struggling to keep pace with the rapid proliferation of mis- and disinformation. It’s evident in the steps we are taking on our journey to achieve higher standards in our environmental and sustainability practices. As well as in the progress we are making, and the work so many among us are doing to define the path that’s still ahead of us, in the area of equity and inclusion – where, it bears mention, when we filed our 2022 workforce data with the U.S. government, we were proud to share that 50% of our senior-most leaders across IPG are women.?

During the year, we also incorporated new resources and capabilities as we continued to refine our suite of offerings. Whether that was mixed and augmented reality for sports and other live events, a leading provider of commerce solutions on the Salesforce platform, or partnerships that will see us further empower diverse voices in creating content for marketers. We know that the world in which we live is increasingly digital and that more than ever clients need help from us in using data and audience-led thinking to solve for a widening set of business problems and opportunities. We’ve been leaders in this space for some time and will need to keep evolving the way we deliver this expertise to marketers to elevate the value of the services and solutions that we provide.

As I heard from so many of you, one of the things we most appreciated about this past year was the opportunity to safely be together again with colleagues and clients. Of course, we are bringing forward lessons gained from working remotely, particularly increased flexibility. But we’ve also been reminded of energy and engagement that comes with in-person, collaborative work. At the office, at dinners with colleagues, at industry events, alongside our partners – those moments bring home why we’re lucky to work in an industry that’s about creativity and innovation. We can learn more from one another, ideate, and push the boundaries of truly novel products and services we can create as an organization when we’re together, in real life, than when our interactions are only virtual.?

Getting that balance right will be on all of us – and getting it right will also unlock significant opportunities for our success going forward.

Thank you, as always, for your efforts and commitment this year. I hope you’ll find time to rest and re-charge over the holidays. To be with the people you care about, friends, and those who make up your family. Do remember that IPG has resources if – as is the case for so many – you find the holidays overly stressful. Through our employee assistance program, counselors are available to help you and your family members with emotional and practical support.

Happy holidays, and I look forward to spending more time with everyone in 2023.

With gratitude,

Philippe?