Interpublic disbands IPG Media division

Interpublic Group is to disband its IPG Media division as it attempts to bring its struggling media networks closer to its creative agencies.

Initiative and Universal McCann will remain as separate networks, but will work more closely with sister creative agencies. Initiative will be aligned with the Draft FCB Group and Universal will tie up with its McCann Erickson sister agency. Reports have suggested that Howard Draft (pictured) will take responsibility for Initiative, though it is still expected that the media agency will be run as a separate company.

Initiative and Universal will continue to have their independence and are expected to work on a series of ventures with their sister agencies. Draft will sit on a newly created IPG media council alongside John Dooner, the McCann Erickson chief executive, Steve Gatfield, the Lowe Worldwide chief executive, Universal McCann's chief executive Nick Brien and Initiative chief executive Alec Gerster.

An IPG spokesman declined to comment.

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