Interpublic Commits to Omaha for Information Technology (IT) Solutions

Global Marketing Services Leader to Partner with Scott Technology Center and The Peter Kiewit Institute

Omaha, Nebraska, May 5, 2009 – Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG), one of the world’s largest advertising and marketing services companies, announced it will migrate its information technology infrastructure operations and its enterprise data center to the Scott Technology Center (STC) facilities located on the campus of the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO). IPG will consolidate a number of its current global IT operations to this new facility. The services being migrated include centralized back-office applications such as email messaging, finance systems, payroll, travel and expense programs and e-learning tools. The migration of services to the new facility will take place over the next 12 months.

The move is expected to increase IPG’s ability to scale leading-edge technology and support across its global operations as well as drive efficiencies for the holding company. As part of the move, IPG is planning to invest in excess of $1M in IT infrastructure and create in excess of 30 jobs in Omaha.

In addition, the migration will allow IPG to move to the forefront of “green IT” by reducing the company’s carbon footprint as it relates to technology. Smaller, more efficient rack-mounted and blade servers will significantly lower the company’s power consumption and the virtualization of some servers will further reduce IPG’s physical server footprint. Consolidation will also reduce international travel for domestic IT employees. IPG also expects to employ students from the Kiewit Institute, UNO’s IT and engineering program, which will allow walking commutes for some staff.

The Greater Omaha Chamber worked with IPG to build relationships with the Scott Technology Center, The Peter Kiewit Institute and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. “We’ve created a win-win partnership between Omaha and IPG that will further the economic development of the area and help realize IPG’s strategic goals for productivity and cost reduction by consolidating their technology and applications operations into one location,” said David G. Brown, president and CEO of the Greater Omaha Chamber. “The quality of the workforce and technology capabilities made Omaha the city of choice for IPG.”

“We are thrilled to be partnering with the Chamber, and benefiting from the high-quality programs provided by the Scott Technology Center and the Kiewit Institute,” said Joe Farrelly, Chief Information Officer at IPG. “Omaha stood out as the best location to advance our IT service offerings for a variety of reasons – our company has a well established base in this community, we know the talent pool is incredible and the university has put together an outstanding IT program that guarantees a great talent pipeline.” Farrelly continued, “The move makes IPG a leader in using efficient, leading-edge technology that scales quickly to support our global operations.”

The Scott Technology Center provides IPG with a location for its production enterprise-level data center, which hosts global electronic mail and other enterprise applications. IPG is also leasing office space within STC for the company’s operations staff. The Peter Kiewit Institute (PKI), the IT and engineering program at UNO, is partnering with IPG to establish internship programs for University students. These internships offer real-world opportunities to learn technical and business skills and will help supply high-quality technical staff.

“We’re very excited to have IPG involved with us,” said Ken Moreano, Director, Scott Technology Center. “Their extensive set of products and services complements the mission of our program in several ways and will offer very innovative opportunities for students to gain real-world, practical experience working with a Fortune 500 company. This partnership offers our team a chance to collaborate with the IPG group and leverage our infrastructure on campus.”

"I am delighted about this new investment in Omaha," Neb. Gov. Dave Heineman said. "Nebraska has great resources among our private sector and academic institutions. This is a perfect example of how these partnerships can support economic development and create new, highly-skilled job opportunities in our state."

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