Interpublic Elects David Thomas to Board of Directors; CEO of Healthcare Information Services Provider and Veteran IBM Executive Joins Board Immediately
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 29, 2004--The Interpublic Group of Companies (IPG:NYSE) announced today that it has elected David M. Thomas to its Board of Directors. Mr. Thomas, who is the Chairman and CEO of IMS Health, Inc. (NYSE:RX), will join the Interpublic board effective immediately, and will serve on the Audit and Corporate Governance committees.
Mr. Thomas, 54, joined IMS Health in 2000 and is responsible for its worldwide operations. IMS, based in Fairfield, Connecticut, is the world's leading provider of information solutions to the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. The company provides critical business intelligence products and services that shape strategies and drive day-to-day operating decisions relating to portfolio optimization, launch and brand management, sales force effectiveness, as well as consulting and services solutions that improve ROI and the delivery of quality healthcare worldwide.
Prior to joining IMS, Mr. Thomas was Senior Vice President and Group Executive at IBM, responsible for its global Personal Systems Group, which includes the IBM Thinkpad among other personal computing products. In addition, he was General Manager, IBM Global Industries, responsible for sales and support of IBM's top enterprise customers worldwide. Previously, he held progressively responsible executive positions with IBM, including General Manager, North America, General Manager, Asia Pacific and President, National Distribution Division. He began his career with IBM in 1972 as a marketing representative.
Mr. Thomas is also a Director of the TriZetto Group, Inc., a leading provider of healthcare technology solutions; and Fortune Brands, a consumer products company. He also serves on the Advisory Board of EZGOV Inc., a developer of software applications for federal, regional and local governments around the world.
"David was a major force at IBM for more than a quarter of a century and, more recently, has done a terrific job building IMS into a leading global pharmaceutical and healthcare service company," said Interpublic Chairman Michael Roth. "I've known David for some time and know first-hand the great intelligence and broad business experience he brings to the table. We are very pleased to have an executive of his caliber join our board."
About Interpublic
Interpublic is one of the world's leading organizations of advertising agencies and marketing-services companies. Major global brands include Draft, Foote, Cone & Belding Worldwide, GolinHarris International, Initiative, Jack Morton Worldwide, Lowe & Partners Worldwide, McCann Erickson, Octagon, Universal McCann and Weber Shandwick Worldwide. Leading domestic brands include Campbell-Ewald, Deutsch and Hill Holliday.
CONTACT: The Interpublic Group of Companies
General Inquiries:
Julie Tu, 212-445-8456
Media, Analysts, Investors:
Philippe Krakowsky, 212-704-1328
Analysts, Investors:
Jerry Leshne, 212-704-1439
SOURCE: The Interpublic Group of Companies