• March 18, 2005

Interpublic Group Thursday announced more troubling news, saying it was unable to set a date for filing its 10-K report with the Securities and Exchange Commission and release its earnings for the fourth quarter and full-year 2004.The company implied the delay was due to the fact that it recently identified accounting issues that might require it to further restate its financial results between 1996 and 2001, and potentially for period after 2001. "The filing delay is not related to the high quality of our professional offerings, as evidenced by recent significant account wins. Nor is it a reflection of our company's true potential. We will, of course, provide further information on our situation as warranted." The company will host a conference call to update investors and answer questions on April 5," stated Interpublic Chairman-CEO Michael Roth. Analysts called the development surprising, but did not further downgrade the value of Interpublic's stocks. Interpublic is the parent of Initiative and Universal McCann. -- J.M.