IPG confirms merger of Draft and FCB.(Interpublic Group)(DraftDirect Worldwide Inc)(Foote, Cone and Belding Inc)

Howard Draft takes charge and Steve Blamer leaves as agencies become single global integrated marketing organisation.

Last week, Interpublic Group ended months of rumour and speculation by announcing that its FCB and Draft networks were merging to form the Draft FCB Group.

The decision sees the creation of a global integrated marketing organisation with a single profit-and-loss balance sheet and one management team. This will be headed by Draft's founder, Howard Draft. Steve Blamer, FCB's worldwide chief executive, is leaving the company as a result of the merger.

IPG estimates that the merger of its above- and below-the-line networks will be finished within 90 days. Until then, there will be no further information released, including details about who will control the UK operation.

However, Draft and Blamer have praised Draft London's managing director, John Minnec, and FCB's chief executive, Nigel Jones. Both are in the frame for the top UK job.

The merger is expected to throw up client conflicts that could see business flying out of the newly created network's door. There are two significant conflicts, with FCB handling SC Johnson and Motorola while Draft is on the Procter & Gamble and Nokia rosters.

However, Draft has been bullish in disregarding any suggestions of the sort. He said: 'So far, no client has shown any dissatisfaction with the move and we will be addressing conflicts in the next few days, but it's not something we're worried about.