IPG scoops $750m Pfizer media brief

Pfizer is set to switch its estimated $750 million global media buying business to the Interpublic Group media agencies Initiative and Universal McCann.

The move is likely to follow the completion next month of Johnson & Johnson's acquisition of Pfizer, which owns brands that include Listerine and Nicorette.

J&J executives are already believed to have instigated talks about moving the Pfizer business, which is held by Carat or MindShare in the majority of markets, into the IPG agencies.

The £21 million UK business is expected to move into Initiative, the incumbent on J&J. The account is currently held by MindShare.

Recent reports had suggested that J&J was to launch a wider pitch process in the second quarter of next year, with a view to consolidating its business following the acquisition of Pfizer.

However, it is now unclear how the Pfizer/IPG news will affect the plans.

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