• by Richard Whitman , Columnist, May 4, 2020

Interpublic Group said today that due COVID-19 concerns, it is reformatting its annual meeting from an in-person gathering to a virtual event. The date and time remain the same: May 21 at 9:30 a.m.

When the firm announced details of the meeting last month, it was initially set to be held in person in New York. At the time, it reserved the option of switching to a virtual format, given the unpredictability of flattening the pandemic’s curve.

The holding companies are taking different approaches this year, due to the health crisis.

Omnicom is taking a “hybrid” approach, scheduling a physical meeting at the firm’s barter trading unit Icon International in Greenwich, Connecticut, in early June. Shareholders have the option of attending via online conference.

WPP is holding a physical meeting, also in June, at its headquarters in London. That meeting is closed to shareholders, who will be able to vote by proxy online and also submit questions in advance of the meeting.

Publicis Groupe is taking a similar route, holding its meeting in Paris “behind closed doors” on May 27. Shareholders can participate online only, with a number of options for voting, including online via a “secure” website called Votaccess.