INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES INC
10-Q, 1999-08-13
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                -----------------

                                    FORM 10-Q

                                ----------------


           |X| QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                  For the quarterly period ended June 30, 1999

                                       OR

           |_| TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


                                ----------------


                         Commission File Number: 1-6686


                    THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC.
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

      Delaware                                              13-1024020
- -------------------------------                        -------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of                         (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                         Identification No.)

1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York               10020
- -----------------------------------------------        -------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)                     (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code (212) 399-8000
                                                   --------------

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the  preceding 12 months (or for such  shorter  period that the  registrant  was
required  to file  such  reports)  and  (2)  has  been  subject  to such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes |X| No |_|

Indicate the number of shares  outstanding  of each of the  issuer's  classes of
common stock, as of the latest  practicable  date.  Common Stock  outstanding at
July 31, 1999: 282,011,856 shares.










<PAGE>
       THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
                                    I N D E X

                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----

PART I.   FINANCIAL INFORMATION

     Item 1.  Financial Statements

                  Consolidated Balance Sheet
                   June 30, 1999 (unaudited) and
                   December 31, 1998                                       3-4

                  Consolidated Income Statement
                   Three months ended June 30, 1999
                   and 1998 (unaudited)                                    5

                  Consolidated Income Statement
                   Six months ended June 30, 1999
                   and 1998 (unaudited)                                    6

                  Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
                   Three months ended June 30, 1999
                   and 1998 (unaudited)                                    7

                  Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
                   Six months ended June 30, 1999
                   and 1998 (unaudited)                                    8

                  Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
                   Six months ended June 30, 1999
                   and 1998 (unaudited)                                    9

                  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)   10

     Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of
                  Financial Condition and Results of Operations            11-14

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

     Item 2.   Changes in Securities

     Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

     Item 6.   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

     SIGNATURES

     INDEX TO EXHIBITS













<PAGE>

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1

          THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                             (Dollars in Thousands)
                                     ASSETS

                                                 June 30,    December 31,
                                                   1999          1998

                                                (unaudited)
                                               ------------   ------------
CURRENT ASSETS:
  Cash and cash equivalents (includes
    certificates of deposit:  1999-$303,125;
                              1998-$152,064)    $  853,027      $  808,803
  Marketable securities, at cost which
    approximates market                             46,386          31,733
  Receivables (less allowance for doubtful
    accounts: 1999-$46,466; 1998-$53,093)        3,981,285       3,522,616
  Expenditures billable to clients                 340,145         276,610
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets        152,391         137,183
                                                ----------      ----------
    Total current assets                         5,373,234       4,776,945
                                                ----------      ----------
OTHER ASSETS:
  Investment in unconsolidated affiliates           57,532          47,561
  Deferred taxes on income                          93,926          97,350
  Other investments and miscellaneous assets       333,496         299,967
                                                ----------       ---------
    Total other assets                             484,954         444,878
                                                ----------       ---------
FIXED ASSETS, at cost:
  Land and buildings                                88,468          95,228
  Furniture and equipment                          667,243         650,037
                                                ----------       ---------
                                                   755,711         745,265
  Less: accumulated depreciation                   438,550         420,864
                                                ----------       ---------
                                                   317,161         324,401
  Unamortized leasehold improvements               120,757         115,200
                                                ----------       ---------
  Total fixed assets                               437,918         439,601
                                                ----------       ---------
INTANGIBLE ASSETS (net of accumulated
  amortization: 1999-$536,282;
                1998-$504,787)                   1,393,241       1,281,399
                                                ----------      ----------
TOTAL ASSETS                                    $7,689,347      $6,942,823
                                                ==========      ==========










<PAGE>
          THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                  (Dollars in Thousands Except Per Share Data)
                      LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

                                                  June 30,    December 31,
                                                    1999          1998<F1>
                                                (unaudited)
                                                ------------   ------------
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
  Payable to banks                              $  249,327       $  214,464
  Accounts payable                               4,059,203        3,613,699
  Accrued expenses                                 450,416          624,517
  Accrued income taxes                             228,045          205,672
                                                ----------       ----------
    Total current liabilities                    4,986,991        4,658,352
                                                ----------       ----------
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:
  Long-term debt                                   335,997          298,691
  Convertible subordinated notes                   511,447          207,927
  Deferred compensation and reserve
    for termination liabilities                    308,690          319,526
  Accrued postretirement benefits                   49,046           48,616
  Other noncurrent liabilities                      93,458           88,691
  Minority interests in
    consolidated subsidiaries                       59,718           55,928
                                                ----------       ----------
    Total noncurrent liabilities                 1,358,356        1,019,379
                                                ----------       ----------
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
  Preferred Stock, no par value
    shares authorized: 20,000,000
    shares issued: none
  Common Stock, $.10 par value
    shares authorized: 550,000,000
    shares issued:
         1999 - 295,179,952
         1998 - 291,445,158                         29,518           29,145
  Additional paid-in capital                       759,097          652,692
  Retained earnings                              1,240,798        1,101,792
  Accumulated other comprehensive income          (241,811)        (160,476)
                                                ----------       ----------
                                                 1,787,602        1,623,153
Less:  Treasury stock, at cost:
    1999 - 13,634,912 shares
    1998 - 12,374,344 shares                       363,746          286,713
Unamortized expense of restricted
    stock grants                                    79,856           71,348
                                                ----------       ----------
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                       1,344,000        1,265,092
                                                ----------       ----------
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY      $7,689,347       $6,942,823
                                                ==========       ==========

The  accompanying  notes are an integral  part of these  consolidated  financial
statements.

<F1> All  share  data adjusted to reflect two-for-one stock split effective July
     15, 1999.


<PAGE>

          THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
                          CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
                           THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30
                  (Dollars in Thousands Except Per Share Data)
                                   (unaudited)

                                                 1999             1998<F1>
                                                 ----             ----
Revenue                                      $ 1,096,621      $ 1,003,090
Other income, net                                 37,812           29,152
                                             -----------      -----------
     Gross income                              1,134,433        1,032,242
                                             -----------      -----------
Costs and expenses:
  Operating expenses                             873,170          807,560
  Interest                                        16,497           14,564
                                             -----------      -----------
     Total costs and expenses                    889,667          822,124
                                             -----------      -----------

Income before provision for income taxes         244,766          210,118

Provision for income taxes                        98,878           86,665
                                             -----------      -----------
Income of consolidated companies                 145,888          123,453
Income applicable to minority interests           (8,905)          (6,360)
Equity in net income of unconsolidated
  affiliates                                       2,426            1,418
                                             -----------      -----------
Net income                                   $   139,409      $   118,511
                                             ===========      ===========
Weighted average shares:
  Basic                                      273,862,855      271,437,338
  Diluted                                    292,978,367      288,955,570

Earnings Per Share:
  Basic                                      $       .51      $       .44
  Diluted                                    $       .49      $       .42

Dividends per share                          $       .085     $       .075


The  accompanying  notes are an integral  part of these  consolidated  financial
statements.

<F1> All share data adjusted to  reflect two-for-one stock split effective  July
     15, 1999.















<PAGE>

          THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
                          CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
                            SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30
                  (Dollars in Thousands Except Per Share Data)
                                   (unaudited)

                                                 1999             1998<F1>
                                                 ----             ----
Revenue                                      $ 2,004,702      $ 1,820,120
Other income, net                                 54,811           43,305
                                             -----------      -----------
     Gross income                              2,059,513        1,863,425
                                             -----------      -----------
Costs and expenses:
  Operating expenses                           1,703,300        1,560,516
  Interest                                        30,443           27,365
                                             -----------      -----------
     Total costs and expenses                  1,733,743        1,587,881
                                             -----------      -----------

Income before provision for income taxes         325,770          275,544

Provision for income taxes                       132,495          112,163
                                             -----------      -----------
Income of consolidated companies                 193,275          163,381
Income applicable to minority interests          (12,505)          (9,200)
Equity in net income of unconsolidated
  affiliates                                       3,424            2,069
                                             -----------      -----------
Net income                                   $   184,194      $   156,250
                                             ===========      ===========
Weighted average shares:
  Basic                                      273,198,358      270,905,717
  Diluted                                    290,450,560      281,370,273

Earnings Per Share:
  Basic                                      $       .67      $       .58
  Diluted                                    $       .65      $       .56

Dividends per share                          $       .16      $       .14


The  accompanying  notes are an integral  part of these  consolidated  financial
statements.

<F1> All share data adjusted to reflect  two-for-one  stock split effective July
     15, 1999.















<PAGE>
          THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
                           THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30
                             (Dollars in Thousands)
                                   (unaudited)

                                                  1999           1998
                                                  ----           ----
Net Income                                      $ 139,409      $ 118,511
                                                ---------      ---------
Other Comprehensive Income, net of tax:

Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments          (20,189)        (2,711)

Net Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Securities       (23,452)        (3,206)
                                                ---------      ---------
Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)                 (43,641)        (5,917)
                                                ---------      ---------
Comprehensive Income                            $  95,768       $112,594
                                                =========      =========

The  accompanying  notes are an integral  part of these  consolidated  financial
statements.








































<PAGE>
          THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
                            SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30
                             (Dollars in Thousands)
                                   (unaudited)

                                                  1999           1998
                                                  ----           ----
Net Income                                      $ 184,194      $ 156,250
                                                ---------      ---------
Other Comprehensive Income, net of tax:

Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments          (80,656)       (17,519)

Net Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Securities          (679)           955
                                                ---------      ---------
Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)                 (81,335)       (16,564)
                                                ---------      ---------
Comprehensive Income                            $ 102,859       $139,686
                                                =========      =========

The  accompanying  notes are an integral  part of these  consolidated  financial
statements.








































<PAGE>
          THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                            SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30
                             (Dollars in Thousands)
                                   (unaudited)
                                                           1999          1998
                                                           ----          ----
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income                                              $184,194      $ 156,250
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash
    provided by operating activities:
  Depreciation and amortization of fixed assets           52,200         46,380
  Amortization of intangible assets                       31,495         26,137
  Amortization of restricted stock awards                 12,227          9,582
  Equity in net income of unconsolidated
   affiliates                                             (3,424)        (2,069)
  Income applicable to minority interests                 12,505          9,200
  Translation losses                                         798         (8,966)
  Net gain from sale of investments                       (9,738)        (6,255)
  Other                                                    1,429         (7,474)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
  Receivables                                           (544,290)      (231,002)
  Expenditures billable to clients                       (61,063)       (48,099)
  Prepaid expenses and other assets                      (17,030)       (24,245)
  Accounts payable and other liabilities                 355,862        139,303
  Accrued income taxes                                    26,368         18,567
  Deferred income taxes                                   (1,387)           810
  Deferred compensation and reserve for
    termination allowances                                  (366)         5,818
                                                       ---------      ---------
Net cash provided by operating activities                 39,780         83,937
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:                  ---------      ---------
  Acquisitions                                          (130,792)       (58,583)
  Proceeds from sale of investments                       17,019         16,199
  Capital expenditures                                   (52,209)       (60,376)
  Net purchases of marketable securities                 (18,308)       (21,939)
  Other investments and miscellaneous assets             (41,685)        (8,452)
  Investments in unconsolidated affiliates                (4,160)        (7,073)
                                                       ---------      ---------
Net cash used in investing activities                   (230,135)      (140,224)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:                  ---------      ---------
  Increase in short-term borrowings                       45,704         88,206
  Proceeds from long-term debt                           354,078          7,078
  Payments of long-term debt                              (5,791)        (4,285)
  Treasury stock acquired                               (126,977)      (106,146)
  Issuance of common stock                                40,400         19,805
  Cash dividends - pooled companies                            -         (2,915)
  Cash dividends - Interpublic                           (43,755)       (36,612)
                                                       ---------      ---------
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities      263,659        (34,869)
                                                       ---------      ---------
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash
  equivalents                                            (29,080)        (7,965)
                                                       ---------      ---------
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents          44,224        (99,121)

Cash and cash equivalents at
  beginning of year                                      808,803        738,112
                                                       ---------      ---------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period              $853,027      $ 638,991
                                                       =========      =========
The  accompanying  notes are an integral  part of these  consolidated  financial
statements.
<PAGE>
          THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (Unaudited)

  1. Consolidated Financial Statements

     (a)  In the opinion of  management,  the  consolidated  balance sheet as of
          June 30, 1999, the consolidated income statements for the three months
          and six  months  ended  June  30,  1999  and  1998,  the  consolidated
          statement  of  comprehensive  income for  the  three  months  and  six
          months ended June 30, 1999 and 1998,  and the  consolidated  statement
          of cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 1999 and 1998, contain
          all  adjustments (which include  only  normal  recurring  adjustments)
          necessary  to  present  fairly  the  financial  position,  results  of
          operations and cash  flows  at  June 30,  1999  and  for  all  periods
          presented.  Certain  information and footnote   disclosures   normally
          included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally
          accepted  accounting  principles have been omitted.  It  is  suggested
          that these consolidated  financial statements  be read in  conjunction
          with the consolidated financial statements and notes  thereto included
          in the Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc.'s (the "Company") December
          31, 1998 annual report to stockholders.

     (b)  Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards (SFAS) No. 95 "Statement
          of Cash Flows"  requires  disclosures  of specific  cash  payments and
          noncash investing and financing activities.  The Company considers all
          highly liquid  investments  with a maturity of three months or less to
          be cash equivalents. Income tax cash payments were approximately $65.8
          million  and $103.9 million  in the first six months of 1999 and 1998,
          respectively.  Interest  payments  during the first six months of 1999
          and  1998  were   approximately   $17.7  million  and  $20.8  million,
          respectively.

     (c)  In June 1998, the Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board (the "FASB")
          issued   Statement  of  Financial   Accounting   Standards   No.  133,
          "Accounting for Derivative  Instruments and Hedging  Activities" (SFAS
          133).  SFAS 133 will require the Company to record all  derivatives on
          the balance  sheet at fair value.  Changes in  derivative  fair values
          will  either be  recognized  in  earnings as offsets to the changes in
          fair value of related hedged assets,  liabilities and firm commitments
          or, for  forecasted  transactions,  deferred and later  recognized  in
          earnings  at the same time as the  related  hedged  transactions.  The
          impact of SFAS 133 on the Company's  financial  statements will depend
          on a variety of factors, including future interpretative guidance from
          the FASB, the future level of forecasted  and actual foreign  currency
          transactions,  the extent of the  Company's  hedging  activities,  the
          types  of  hedging  instruments  used  and the  effectiveness  of such
          instruments.  However,  the  Company  does not  believe  the effect of
          adopting SFAS 133 will be material to its financial condition. In June
          1999, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting  Standards No.
          137,  "Accounting for Derivative  Instruments and Hedging Activities -
          Deferral  of the  Effective  Date of FASB  Statement  No.  133" ("SFAS
          137").  SFAS 137 defers the effective date of SFAS 133 for one year to
          fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2000.

     (d)  On May 17,  1999,  the Board of  Directors  announced  a 2 for 1 stock
          split,  payable July 15, 1999, to  shareholders of record at the close
          of business on June 29, 1999.  All per share data has been restated in
          the accompanying consolidated financial statements  to reflect  the  2
          for 1 stock split.



<PAGE>
Item 2

          THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
                     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                  FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Working  capital at June 30,  1999 was $386.2  million,  an  increase  of $267.7
million  from  December 31,  1998.  The increase in working  capital was largely
attributable  to net  proceeds  of  approximately  $295  million  from the 1.87%
Convertible  Subordinated  Notes  due 2006  issued in June,  1999.  The ratio of
current assets to current  liabilities  was  approximately  1.1 to 1 at June 30,
1999.

Historically,  cash flow from  operations has been the primary source of working
capital and  management  believes  that it will continue to be so in the future.
The  principal  use of the  Company's  working  capital  is to  provide  for the
operating needs of its advertising agencies, which include payments for space or
time  purchased  from  various  media on behalf of its  clients.  The  Company's
practice is to bill and collect from its clients in  sufficient  time to pay the
amounts  due media.  Other uses of working  capital  include the payment of cash
dividends,  acquisitions,  capital  expenditures  and the reduction of long-term
debt.  In addition,  during the first six months of 1999,  the Company  acquired
3,354,292  shares  of its own  stock  for  approximately  $127 million  for  the
purpose of fulfilling the Company's  obligations under its various  compensation
plans.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Three Months Ended June 30, 1999 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 1998

Total revenue for the three months ended June 30, 1999 increased  $93.5 million,
or 9.3%,  to $1,096.6  million  compared  to the same  period in 1998.  Domestic
revenue  increased  $66.7  million or 13.2% from 1998  levels.  Foreign  revenue
increased  $26.8  million or 5.4% during the second  quarter of 1999 compared to
1998. Foreign revenue would have increased 9.8%, except for the strengthening of
the U.S. dollar against certain major currencies.  Other income,  net, increased
by $8.7 million during the second quarter of 1999 compared to the same period in
1998.

Operating expenses increased $65.6 million or 8.1% during the three months ended
June 30, 1999 compared to the same period in 1998.  Interest  expense  increased
13.3% as compared to the same period in 1998.

Pretax  income  increased  $34.6  million or 16.5% during the three months ended
June 30, 1999 compared to the same period in 1998.

The  increase  in total  revenue,  operating  expenses,  and  pretax  income  is
primarily due to the effect of new business gains.

Net losses from exchange and  translation  of foreign  currencies  for the three
months ended June 30, 1999 were  approximately  $.3 million  versus $1.4 million
for the same period in 1998.

The  effective  tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 1999 was 40.4%,  as
compared to 41.2% in 1998.

The  difference  between the effective  and statutory  rates is primarily due to
foreign  losses  with  no  tax  benefit,  losses  from  translation  of  foreign
currencies  which  provided  no tax  benefit,  state  and local  taxes,  foreign
withholding taxes on dividends and nondeductible goodwill expense.
<PAGE>
Six Months Ended June 30, 1999 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 1998

Total revenue for the six months ended June 30, 1999,  increased $184.6 million,
or 10.1%,  to $2,004.7  million  compared  to the same period in 1998.  Domestic
revenue  increased  $118.3  million or 12.6% from 1998 levels.  Foreign  revenue
increased  $66.2 million or 7.5% during the first six months of 1999 compared to
1998. Foreign revenue would have increased 11%, except for the strengthening of
the U.S. dollar against certain major  currencies.  Other income increased $11.5
million in the first six months of 1999 compared to the same period in 1998.

Operating  expenses increased $142.8 million or 9.1% during the six months ended
June 30, 1999 compared to the same period in 1998.  Interest  expense  increased
11.2%  during the six months  ended June 30,  1999 as  compared  to the same six
month period in 1998.

Pretax income  increased $50.2 million or 18.2% during the six months ended June
30, 1999 compared to the same period in 1998.

The  increase  in total  revenue,  operating  expenses,  and  pretax  income  is
primarily due to the effect of new business gains.

Net losses from  exchange  and  translation  of foreign  currencies  for the six
months ended June 30, 1999 were  approximately  $1.2 million versus $2.2 million
for the same period in 1998.

The  effective  tax rate for the six  months  ended  June  30,  1999 was  40.7%,
unchanged from the same period in 1998.

Year 2000 Issue

The Year 2000 (or "Y2K") Issue refers to the problem caused by computer programs
that have been  written to  reflect  two-digit  years,  with the  century  being
assumed  as  "19".  This  practice  was  widely  accepted  by  the  applications
development community in the 1960's through the early 1980's, with many of these
programs  remaining in use today. As a result,  programs that are date sensitive
may recognize the year "00" as 1900,  rather than the year 2000.  This may cause
programs to fail or cause them to incorrectly report and accumulate data.

The Company and its operating  subsidiaries are in the final phases of executing
a Year 2000  readiness  program with the goal of having all  "mission  critical"
systems functioning  properly prior to January 1, 2000. Many of the subsidiaries
in  the  Company's  larger  markets  are  dependent  upon  third  party  systems
providers,  while  subsidiaries  in the  secondary  markets  rely  primarily  on
off-the-shelf applications or home-grown applications. Considerable progress has
been made with third party systems  providers in larger  markets with respect to
remediating  their Year 2000 issues.  Although the secondary  markets  present a
greater  challenge,  they  typically  involve  smaller  offices  that  are  less
dependent upon automated solutions.

In 1997,  the Company  established a Y2K Project  Management  Office and shortly
thereafter  created a Y2K Task  Force,  comprised  of  representatives  from the
operating companies. Through the Y2K Task Force, the Company in conjunction with
outside consultants,  is working to address the impact of the Year 2000 Issue on
the Company.  The Company has inventoried  and assessed date sensitive  computer
software  applications,  and  approximately  35% of systems were  identified  as
requiring some degree of remediation.  In addition, the Company has reviewed all
of  its  hardware  believed  to  contain  embedded  chips,   including  personal
computers, file servers,  mid-range and mainframe computers,  telephone switches
and routers. The Company has also investigated its security systems, life safety
systems,  HVAC systems and elevators in the majority of its facilities.  As part
of this effort,  the Company has identified those systems and applications  that
are deemed "mission  critical",  which are being handled on a priority basis and
has  developed a detailed  project and  remediation  plan that  includes  system
<PAGE>
testing  schedules and contingency  planning.  To date the Company has completed
approximately  95%  of its  remediation  and  compliance  testing  for  "mission
critical"  applications,  with the  remaining 5%  scheduled  for  completion  by
September  30,  1999.  The  Company's  Board of  Directors,  through  the  Audit
Committee,  has been monitoring the progress of this project.  Project  progress
reports  are given to the Audit  Committee  at each  regularly  scheduled  Audit
Committee meeting.

The Company  estimates  that the  modification  and testing of its  hardware and
software will cost  approximately  $20 million,  of which  approximately 80% has
been spent to date. These costs are being expensed. In addition, the Company has
accelerated the  implementation  of a number of business process  re-engineering
projects over the past few years that have provided both Year 2000 readiness and
increased  functionality  of certain  systems.  The Company  estimates  that the
hardware and  software  costs  incurred in  connection  with these  projects are
approximately  $55  million,  which  are  being  capitalized.  Included  in  the
above-mentioned  Y2K costs are internal costs incurred for the Y2K project which
are  primarily  payroll  related costs for the  information  systems  groups.  A
substantial portion of these estimated costs relates to systems and applications
that were  anticipated and budgeted.  All of the above amounts have been updated
to include companies acquired through the second quarter of 1999.

The Company is also in the process of developing  contingency plans for affected
areas of its  operations.  The Y2K  Project  Management  Office  has  drafted  a
Contingency  Plan  Guideline.   This  guideline   requires  the  development  of
contingency plans for applications,  vendors, facilities,  business partners and
clients.  The  contingency  plans  continue to be developed and refined to cover
those  elements of the business  that have been deemed  "mission  critical"  and
extend beyond software  applications.  The contingency plans include  procedures
for workforce mobilization,  crisis management,  facilities management, disaster
recovery and damage  control,  and are scheduled for completion by September 30,
1999. The Company nevertheless  recognizes that contingency plans may need to be
adjusted thereafter and therefore considers them working documents.

The Company is assessing  the Year 2000  readiness of material  third parties by
asking all critical vendors,  business partners and facility managers to provide
letters  of  compliance.  In  addition  to having  sent out over  70,000  vendor
compliance  letters,  the Company is conducting  detailed tests and face to face
Y2K  working  sessions  with those  identified  as key vendors  with  respect to
"mission  critical"  systems.  Furthermore,  the  Company  is  working  with the
American  Association of Advertising  Agencies and other trade  associations  to
form Year 2000  working  groups  that are  addressing  the issues on an industry
level.

The  Company's  efforts to address the Year 2000 Issue are designed to avoid any
material   adverse   effect   on  its   operations   or   financial   condition.
Notwithstanding these efforts,  however,  there is no assurance that the Company
will not encounter difficulties due to the Year 2000 Issue. The "most reasonably
likely worst case scenario"  would be a significant  limitation on the Company's
ability to continue to provide business services for an undetermined duration in
those offices encountering difficulties.  The Company also recognizes that it is
dependent upon infrastructure  services and third parties,  including suppliers,
broadcasters,  utility providers and business  partners,  whose failure may also
significantly impact its ability to provide business services.


Cautionary Statement

Statements by the Company in this document and in other contexts  concerning its
Year 2000 compliance  efforts that are not historical  fact are  forward-looking
statements as defined in the Private  Securities  Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
These forward-looking  statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties

<PAGE>
that could cause actual results to differ  materially from those  anticipated in
the forward-looking  statements,  including,  but not limited to, the following:

(i) uncertainties relating to the ability of the Company to identify and address
Year 2000  issues  successfully  and in a timely  manner  and at costs  that are
reasonably  in line with the  Company's  estimates;  and (ii) the ability of the
Company's vendors,  suppliers, other service providers and customers to identify
and address successfully their own Year 2000 issues in a timely manner.


Conversion to the Euro

On January 1, 1999,  certain member countries of the European Union  established
fixed  conversion  rates  between  their  existing  currencies  and the European
Union's common currency (the "Euro").  The Company  conducts  business in member
countries.  The  transition  period  for the  introduction  of the Euro  will be
between January 1, 1999, and June 30, 2002. The Company is addressing the issues
involved with the  introduction of the Euro. The major  important  issues facing
the Company include:  converting  information  technology  systems;  reassessing
currency  risk;  negotiating  and amending  contracts;  and  processing  tax and
accounting records.

Based upon  progress to date the Company  believes that use of the Euro will not
have a  significant  impact on the  manner  in which it  conducts  its  business
affairs  and  processes  its  business  and  accounting  records.   Accordingly,
conversion  to the  Euro  is not  expected  to  have a  material  effect  on the
Company's financial condition or results of operations.




































<PAGE>
                        PART II - OTHER INFORMATION


Item 2.   CHANGES IN SECURITIES


     (1) On April 1, 1999,  the  Registrant  paid $106,000 and issued a total of
6,564  shares of Common Stock of the  Registrant,  par value $.10 per share (the
"Interpublic  Stock") to  shareholders  of a foreign  company as an  installment
payment  of the  purchase  price  for 60% of the  capital  stock of the  foreign
company. The Interpublic Stock issued had a market value of $248,000 on the date
of issuance.

The  shares  of  Interpublic  Stock  were  issued  by  the  Registrant   without
registration in an "offshore  transaction"  and solely to "non-U.S.  persons" in
reliance on Rule 903 (b) (3) of Regulation S under the Securities Act.

     (2) On April 6, 1999 the Registrant issued shares to the acquired company's
former  shareholders as the first installment  payment for 100% of the company's
capital stock.  A total of 104,400  shares of Interpublic  stock were issued and
had a market value on the date of issuance of $3,848,800.

In  connection  with the above  installment  payment an  additional  payment was
issued to the former shareholder's of this acquired company on April 28, 1999. A
total of 10,764  shares of  Interpublic  stock were issued  with a total  market
value of $396,800.

The  shares  of  Interpublic  Stock  were  issued  by  the  Registrant   without
registration  in reliance on Rule 506 of Regulation D under the  Securities  Act
based on the accredited investor status or sophistication of the shareholders.

     (3) On April 7, 1999,  the  Registrant  issued a total of 445,578 shares of
Interpublic  Stock to  shareholders  of a  domestic  company  as an  installment
payment of purchase  price for  substantially  all of the assets of the domestic
company.  The Interpublic  Stock issued had a market value of $16,792,721 on the
date of issuance.

         The shares of Interpublic  Stock were issued by the Registrant  without
registration in reliance on Section 4 (2) under the Securities Act, based on the
sophistication of the acquired company's former stockholders.

     (4) On April 9, 1999,  the  Registrant  issued 19,236 shares of Interpublic
Stock and paid  $2,087,617 in cash to the former  shareholder of a company which
previously  was acquired.  This  represented a deferred  payment of the purchase
price.  The shares of  Interpublic  Stock were valued at $695,872 on the date of
issuance.

The  shares  of  Interpublic  Stock  were  issued  by  the  Registrant   without
registration  in reliance on Section 4(2) under the Securities Act, based on the
sophistication of the acquired company's former stockholder.

     (5) On April 15, 1999, the  Registrant  issued 18,456 shares of Interpublic
Stock and paid $4,000,000 to shareholders of a foreign corporation in connection
with the acquisition of 35% of the capital stock of the foreign corporation. The
Interpublic Stock issued had a market value of $700,000 on the date of issuance.

The transaction was effected in an "offshore transaction" and in accordance with
the "offering  restrictions"  and "no directed selling efforts"  requirements of
Rule 903(a) and  903(b)(3)(iii)  of  Regulation  S under the  Securities  Act of
1933."

     (6) On April 22, 1999,  the  Registrant  issued a total of 62,890 shares of
Interpublic  Stock to  shareholders  of a  domestic  company  as an  installment
<PAGE>

payment of purchase  price of  substantially  all of the assets of the  domestic
company.  The  Interpublic  Stock issued had a market value of $2,325,947 on the
date of issuance.

         The shares of Interpublic  Stock were issued by the Registrant  without
registration in reliance on Section 4 (2) under the Securities Act, based on the
sophistication of the acquired company's former stockholders.

     (7) On April 23, 1999, the  Registrant  paid $224,000 and issued a total of
1,960 shares of Interpublic  Stock to  shareholders  of a foreign  company as an
installment  payment  of  purchase  price  for 65% of the  capital  stock of the
foreign company.  The Interpublic  Stock issued had a market value of $73,550 on
the date of issuance.

The  shares  of  Interpublic  Stock  were  issued  by  the  Registrant   without
registration in an "offshore  transaction"  and solely to "non-U.S.  persons" in
reliance on Rule 903 (b) (3) of Regulation S under the Securities Act.

         (8) On May 5, 1999, the  Registrant  issued a total of 52,500 shares of
Interpublic Stock to shareholders of a company as an installment of the purchase
price for the acquisition of 51% of the capital stock of the company. The shares
of Interpublic Stock had a market value of $2,000,000 on the date of issuance.

The shares of Interpublic Stock were issued by the Registrant without registrant
in reliance on Rule 506 of Regulation D under the  Securities  Act, based on the
accredited investor status or sophistication of the shareholders of the acquired
company.

         (9) On May 6, 1999,  the  Registrant  paid  $920,000  and issued  8,364
shares of Interpublic  Stock to  shareholders of a foreign company in connection
with the acquisition of 25% of the foreign  corporation.  The Interpublic  Stock
issued had a market value of $308,952 on the date of issuance.

The transaction was effected in an "offshore transaction" and in accordance with
the "offering  restrictions"  and "no directed selling efforts"  requirements of
Rule 903(a) and  903(b)(3)(iii)  of  Regulation  S under the  Securities  Act of
1933."

         (10) On May 7, 1999, a subsidiary  of the  Registrant  acquired 100% of
the  capital  stock of a company  in  consideration  for which  Registrant  paid
$611,437.50  in cash  and  issued  15,940  shares  of  Interpublic  Stock to the
shareholders of the acquired company.
The shares of Interpublic Stock were valued at $597,750 on the date of issuance.

The  shares  of  Interpublic  Stock  were  issued  by  the  Registrant   without
registration in an "offshore  transaction"  and solely to "non-U.S.  persons" in
reliance on Rule 903(b)(3) of Regulation S under the Securities Act.

         (11) On May 26, 1999, the Registrant issued a total of 85,572 shares of
Interpublic  Stock to  shareholders of two affiliated  domestic  companies as an
installment  payment of the purchase price of substantially all of the assets of
the companies.  In connection with this installment  payment,  on June 17, 1999,
the Registrant paid $553,554 in cash. The Interpublic  Stock issued had a market
value of $3,176,861 on the date of issuance.

         The shares of Interpublic  Stock were issued by the Registrant  without
registration in reliance on Section 4 (2) under the Securities Act, based on the
sophistication of the acquired company's former stockholders.

     (12) On June 1, 1999, the Registrant issued  $361,000,000  principal amount
at maturity of 1.87% Convertible Subordinated Notes with a scheduled maturity in
2006 (the "2006  Notes")  in a private  placement.  The issue  price of the 2006
<PAGE>

Notes was  83.018%  of the  principal  amount at  maturity.  The 2006  Notes are
convertible  into Common  Stock of the  Registrant  at any time after the latest
date of original issuance thereof through maturity,  unless previously  redeemed
or otherwise purchased by the Registrant.  The current conversion rate is 17.616
shares of Common  Stock per  $1,000  principal  amount at  maturity  of the 2006
Notes,  subject to adjustment in certain events.  The 2006 Note holders have the
right to require the  Registrant to redeem the 2006 Notes upon the occurrence of
a Fundamental  Change, as defined in the 2006 Notes, as a whole or in part, at a
price  initially  equal to $830.18 per $1,000  principal  amount and  increasing
thereafter in increments to $896.20 per $1,000 on June 1, 2002 and thereafter at
the  redemption  price at which the  Registrant  may redeem the 2006 Notes.  The
Registrant  may redeem the 2006  Notes,  in whole or in part,  at any time after
June 5, 2002 initially at $896.67 per $1,000  principal amount and at increasing
prices  thereafter to $1,000 per $1,000 principal amount on June 1, 2006. Unless
the 2006 Notes are redeemed,  repaid or converted prior thereto,  the 2006 Notes
will  mature on June 1, 2006 at their  principal  amount.  The  proceeds of this
issuance are being used for general  corporate  purposes,  which may include the
retirement of indebtedness.

Morgan Stanley & Co.  Incorporated,  a Delaware  corporation  ("Morgan Stanley")
acted as lead  Initial  Purchaser  for the 2006  Notes.  Of the total  principal
amount,  (i)  $360,700,000  in principal  amount 2006 Notes were  distributed to
"Qualified  Institutional  Buyers"  (as  defined  in Rule 144A under the Act) in
compliance with Rule 144A and (ii) $300,000  principal amount of 2006 Notes were
distributed to a limited number of other  institutional  "Accredited  Investors"
(as defined in Rule 501 (a) (1),  (2),  (3) or (7) under the Act that,  prior to
their purchase of the 2006 Notes, delivered to the Registrant and Morgan Stanley
a letter containing certain  representations and agreements.  The 2006 Notes and
the  shares of the  Registrant's  Common  Stock into which the 2006 Notes may be
converted were not registered under the Act when issued.  However, in accordance
with the terms of a registration rights agreement between the Registrant and the
initial purchasers,  entered into in connection with the private placement,  the
Registrant  is under an obligation  to use  reasonable  efforts to file and keep
effective a shelf registration statement,  covering the resale of the 2006 Notes
and the underlying  Common Stock until either (i) all securities  covered by the
shelf  registration  statement  have been sold;  or (ii) the  expiration  of the
holding  period  applicable  under  Rule  144(k)  of the Act,  or any  successor
provision.  The Registrant filed such shelf registration  statement with the SEC
on August 5, 1999.

The 2006 Notes were issued by the Registrant  without  registration  in reliance
upon Section 4(2) of the Act.

     (13) On June 3, 1999, the Registrant  paid $2,688,000 and issued a total of
30,576 shares of Interpublic  Stock to  shareholders  of a foreign company as an
installment  payment  of  purchase  price  for 71% of the  capital  stock of the
foreign company.  The Interpublic  Stock issued had a market value of $1,177,503
on the date of issuance.

The  shares  of  Interpublic  Stock  were  issued  by  the  Registrant   without
registration in an "offshore  transaction"  and solely to "non-U.S.  persons" in
reliance on Rule 903 (b) (3) of Regulation S under the Securities Act.

     (14) On June 7, 1999,  the  Registrant  issued 7,946 shares of  Interpublic
Stock and paid  $862,500 in cash to the former  shareholder  of a company  which
previously  was acquired.  This  represented a deferred  payment of the purchase
price.  The shares of  Interpublic  Stock were valued at $287,500 on the date of
issuance.

The  shares  of  Interpublic  Stock  were  issued  by  the  Registrant   without
registration  in reliance on Section 4(2) under the Securities Act, based on the
sophistication of the acquired company's former stockholder.
<PAGE>

     (15) On June 7, 1999,  the  Registrant  issued 33,016 shares of Interpublic
Stock to the former  shareholders  of a company which  previously  was acquired.
This  represented  a  deferred  payment  of the  purchase  price.  The shares of
Interpublic Stock were valued at $1,194,398 on the date of issuance.

The  shares  of  Interpublic  Stock  were  issued  by  the  Registrant   without
registration  in reliance on Section 4(2) under the Securities Act, based on the
sophistication of the acquired company's former stockholder.

     (16) On June 10, 1999, the  Registrant  issued 48,970 shares of Interpublic
Stock to a  shareholder  of a  foreign  company  as an  installment  payment  of
purchase  price  for  50% of the  capital  stock  of the  foreign  company.  The
Interpublic  Stock  issued  had a  market  value  of  $1,878,402  on the date of
issuance.

The  shares  of  Interpublic  Stock  were  issued  by  the  Registrant   without
registration in an "offshore  transaction"  and solely to "non-U.S.  persons" in
reliance on Rule 903 (b) (3) of Regulation S under the Securities Act.

     (17) On June 10, 1999, a subsidiary of the  Registrant  acquired 80% of the
issued  and  outstanding  shares of a  company  in  consideration  for which the
Registrant  paid  $18,302,400  in cash and issued  318,450 shares of Interpublic
Stock to the acquired  company's  shareholders.  The shares of Interpublic Stock
had a market value of $12,201,600 on the date of issuance.

The  shares  of  Interpublic  Stock  were  issued  by  the  Registrant   without
registration in reliance on Section 4(2) of the Securities Act.

All  amounts of shares of  Interpublic  Stock  reported in this Item 2 have been
adjusted for a 2-for-1 stock split of the  Registrant's  Common Stock  effective
July 15, 1999.































<PAGE>

ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

         (a)  This  item  is  answered  in  respect  of the  Annual  Meeting  of
Stockholders held on May 17, 1999.

         (b)  No  response is  required to Paragraph (b) because (i) proxies for
the meeting  were  solicited  pursuant to  Regulation  14A under the  Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended;  (ii) there was no  solicitation in opposition
to Management=s  nominees as listed in the proxy  statement;  and (iii) all such
nominees were elected.

         (c) At the Annual  Meeting,  the  following  number of shares were cast
with respect to each matter voted upon:

         --  Proposal to approve Management=s nominees for director as follows:

                                                 BROKER
             NOMINEE               FOR          WITHHELD         NONVOTES
             -------               ---          --------         --------
         Eugene P. Beard       115,155,201       674,240             0
         Frank J. Borelli      115,142,819       686,622             0
         Reginald K. Brack     115,148,472       680,969             0
         Jill M. Considine     115,141,345       688,096             0
         John J. Dooner, Jr    115,150,954       678,487             0
         Philip H. Geier, Jr   115,154,016       675,425             0
         Frank B. Lowe         115,140,845       688,596             0
         Leif H. Olsen         115,137,970       691,471             0
         Martin F. Puris       115,085,971       743,470             0
         Allen Questrom        115,141,205       688,236             0
         J. Phillip Samper      99,095,499    16,733,942             0

         --  Proposal to approve an amendment to the  Registrant's
             Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the
             number  of  authorized  shares  of  the  Registrant's
             Common Stock, $.10 par value, to 550 million shares.

                                                                   BROKER
            FOR                 AGAINST          ABSTAIN          NONVOTES
            ---                 -------          -------          --------
          93,971,078           21,521,864        336,499             0

         --  Proposal to approve confirmation of independent accountants.

            FOR                 AGAINST          ABSTAIN          NONVOTES
            ---                 -------          -------          --------

         115,266,879            37,693           524,869             0















<PAGE>

Item 6.  EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.

         (a)   EXHIBITS


EXHIBIT NO.    DESCRIPTION
- ------------   -----------
Exhibit 3(i)   Restated  Certificate  of  Incorporation  of the  Registrant,  as
               amended.

Exhibit 4(a)   Indenture, dated June 1, 1999 between the Registrant and The Bank
               of  New  York,  as  Trustee is not included as an Exhibit to this
               Report,  but  will  be  furnished  to the Securities and Exchange
               Commission (the "Commission") upon its request.

Exhibit 4(b)   Registration  Rights  Agreement,  dated  June 1, 1999  among  the
               Registrant,  Morgan  Stanley & Co, Incorporated, Goldman, Sachs &
               Co. and Salomon Smith Barney Inc. is  not included  as an Exhibit
               to this Report, but will be furnished to the Commission upon  its
               request.

Exhibit 10(a)  Credit  Agreement  dated as of May 1, 1999 between the Registrant
               and HSBC Bank U.S.A.

Exhibit 10(b)  Note,  dated   May 1,  1999 and  executed  by  Registrant  in the
               principal amount of $25,000,000.

Exhibit 10(c)  Money Market Note, dated May 1, 1999 and executed by  Registrant.

Exhibit 10(d)  Purchase  Agreement,  dated  May  26,  1999,  by  and  among  the
               Registrant,  Morgan  Stanley & Co., Incorporated, Goldman,Sachs &
               Co. and Salomon Smith Barney Inc.

Exhibit 10(e)  Plan  Option  Certificate  of Registrant, dated  June 4, 1999 for
               Frank J. Borelli.

Exhibit 10(f)  Plan  Option  Certificate  of Registrant, dated  June 4, 1999 for
               Reginald K. Brack.

Exhibit 10(g)  Plan  Option  Certificate  of Registrant, dated  June 4, 1999 for
               Jill M. Considine.

Exhibit 10(h)  Plan  Option  Certificate of  Registrant, dated  June 4, 1999 for
               Leif H. Olsen.

Exhibit 10(i)  Plan  Option  Certificate of  Registrant, dated  June 4, 1999 for
               Allen Questrom.

Exhibit 10(j)  Plan  Option  Certificate  of Registrant, dated  June 4, 1999 for
               J. Phillip Samper.

Exhibit 11     Computation of Earnings Per Share.

Exhibit 27     Financial Data Schedule.


         (b)   REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

               No reports on Form 8-K were filed  during the quarter  ended June
               30, 1999.


<PAGE>



                                   SIGNATURES


Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


                                       THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC.
                                                    (Registrant)


Date:    August 13, 1999                    BY /S/ PHILIP H. GEIER, JR.
                                               Philip H. Geier, Jr.
                                               Chairman of the Board
                                               President and Chief Executive
                                               Officer


Date:    August 13, 1999                    BY /S/ EUGENE P. BEARD
                                               Eugene P. Beard
                                               Vice Chairman -
                                               Finance and Operations


Date:    August 13, 1999                    BY /S/ FREDERICK MOLZ
                                               FREDERICK MOLZ
                                               Chief Accounting Officer
































<PAGE>



                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS


EXHIBIT NO.    DESCRIPTION
- ------------   -----------
Exhibit 3(i)   Restated  Certificate  of  Incorporation  of the  Registrant,  as
               amended.

Exhibit 4(a)   Indenture, dated June 1, 1999 between the Registrant and The Bank
               of  New  York,  as  Trustee is not included as an Exhibit to this
               Report, but will be furnished to the Commission upon its request.

Exhibit 4(b)   Registration  Rights  Agreement,  dated June  1, 1999  among  the
               Registrant,  Morgan  Stanley & Co, Incorporated, Goldman, Sachs &
               Co. and  Salomon  Smith Barney Inc. is not included as an Exhibit
               to this Report, but  will be furnished to the Commission upon its
               request.

Exhibit 10(a)  Credit  Agreement  dated as of May 1, 1999 between the Registrant
               and HSBC Bank U.S.A.

Exhibit 10(b)  Note,  dated  May 1,  1999 and  executed  by  Registrant  in  the
               principal amount of $25,000,000.

Exhibit 10(c)  Money Market Note, dated May 1, 1999 and executed by Registrant.

Exhibit 10(d)  Purchase  Agreement,  dated  May  26,  1999,  by  and  among  the
               Registrant,  Morgan  Stanley & Co., Incorporated, Goldman,Sachs &
               Co. and Salomon Smith Barney Inc.

Exhibit 10(e)  Plan  Option  Certificate  of Registrant, dated  June 4, 1999 for
               Frank J. Borelli.

Exhibit 10(f)  Plan  Option  Certificate  of Registrant, dated  June 4, 1999 for
               Reginald K. Brack.

Exhibit 10(g)  Plan  Option  Certificate  of Registrant, dated  June 4, 1999 for
               Jill M. Considine.

Exhibit 10(h)  Plan  Option  Certificate  of Registrant, dated  June 4, 1999 for
               Leif H. Olsen.

Exhibit 10(i)  Plan  Option  Certificate of  Registrant, dated  June 4, 1999 for
               Allen Questrom.

Exhibit 10(j)  Plan  Option  Certificate  of Registrant, dated  June 4, 1999 for
               J. Phillip Samper.

Exhibit 11     Computation of Earnings Per Share.

Exhibit 27     Financial Data Schedule.











                                                                    Exhibit 3(i)

                      RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
                                       OF
                    THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC.
            Under Section 245 of the Delaware General Corporation Law


         We, PAUL FOLEY,  President,  and J. DONALD  McNAMARA,  Secretary of THE
INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES,  INC., a corporation  existing under the laws of
the State of Delaware,  do hereby certify under the seal of the said corporation
as follows:

         FIRST:  The  name  of  the  Corporation  is  THE INTERPUBLIC  GROUP  OF
COMPANIES, INC.  The  name  under  which  it  was  formed  was  "McCann-Erickson
Incorporated".

         SECOND:  The Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was filed
with the Secretary of State, Dover, Delaware, on  the  18th  day  of  September,
1930.

         THIRD:  The  amendments  and  the  restatement  of the  Certificate  of
Incorporation  have been duly  adopted  in  accordance  with the  provisions  of
Sections 242 and 245 of the General  Corporation Law of the State of Delaware by
an  affirmative  vote of the  holders of a majority  of all  outstanding  shares
entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders, and by an affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of all  outstanding  shares of each class entitled to vote
separately as a class,  and the capital of the  Corporation  will not be reduced
under or by reason of said amendment.

         FOURTH:  The  text of the  Certificate  of  Incorporation  of said  The
Interpublic Group of Companies,  Inc., as amended, is hereby restated as further
amended by this Certificate, to read in full, as follows:

                  ARTICLE  1. The name of this  Corporation  is THE  INTERPUBLIC
GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC.

                  ARTICLE 2. The registered office of the Corporation is located
         at 306 South State Street in the City of Dover,  in the County of Kent,
         in the  State of  Delaware.  The name of its  registered  agent at said
         address is the UNITED STATES CORPORATION COMPANY.

                  ARTICLE 3. The nature of the business of the  Corporation  and
         the objects or purposes to be transacted, promoted or carried on by it,
         are:

                           (a) To conduct a general advertising  agency,  public
                  relations,  sales promotion,  product  development,  marketing
                  counsel and market research  business,  to conduct research in
                  and act as  consultant  and  advisor in respect to all matters
                  pertaining  to  advertising,   marketing,   merchandising  and
                  distribution  of services,  products and  merchandise of every
                  kind and  description,  and  generally  to transact  all other
                  business  not  forbidden by law, and to do every act and thing

<PAGE>
                  that may be  necessary,  proper,  convenient or useful for the
                  carrying on of such business.

                           (b) To render  managerial,  administrative  and other
                  services to  persons,  firms and  corporations  engaged in the
                  advertising agency, public relations, sales promotion, product
                  development, marketing counsel or market research business.

                           (c)  To  manufacture,  buy,  sell,  create,  produce,
                  trade,  distribute  and  otherwise  deal  in and  with  motion
                  pictures,  television films, slide films, video tapes,  motion
                  picture  scenarios,  stage  plays,  operas,  dramas,  ballets,
                  musical comedies,  books, animated cartoons,  stories and news
                  announcements, of every nature, kind and description.

                           (d) To undertake and transact all kinds of agency and
                  brokerage business; to act as agent, broker, attorney in fact,
                  consignee,  factor, selling agent, purchasing agent, exporting
                  or  importing   agent  or  otherwise  for  any  individual  or
                  individuals,   association,  partnership  or  corporation;  to
                  conduct  manufacturing  operations of all kinds;  to engage in
                  the business of distributors,  commission merchants, exporters
                  and importers; to transact a general mercantile business.

                           (e) To acquire, hold, use, sell, assign, lease, grant
                  licenses  in respect  of,  mortgage  or  otherwise  dispose of
                  letters  patent of the United  States or any foreign  country,
                  patent   rights,   licenses   and   privileges,    inventions,
                  improvements and processes,  copyrights,  trademarks and trade
                  names,  relating to or useful in connection  with any business
                  of the Corporation, its subsidiaries and affiliates, or its or
                  their clients.

                           (f) To purchase,  lease,  hold,  own,  use,  improve,
                  sell,  convey,  mortgage,   pledge,  exchange,   transfer  and
                  otherwise  acquire or  dispose  of and deal in real  property,
                  buildings,   structures,   works  and  improvements   wherever
                  situated,  and any interests therein, of every kind, class and
                  description.

                           (g) To  manufacture,  purchase,  own,  use,  operate,
                  improve,  maintain, lease, mortgage, pledge, sell or otherwise
                  acquire  or  dispose  of and  deal  in  machinery,  equipment,
                  fixtures,   materials,  tools,  supplies  and  other  personal
                  property  used in or in  connection  with any  business of the
                  Corporation,  either for cash or for  credit or for  property,
                  stocks  or  bonds  or  other  consideration  as the  Board  of
                  Directors may determine.

                           (h) To make loans to any person, partnership, company
                  or corporation, with or without security.

                           (i)  To  acquire   by   purchase,   subscription   or
                  otherwise, and to receive, hold, own, guarantee, sell, assign,
                  exchange,  transfer,  mortgage, pledge or otherwise dispose of
                  or deal in and with any of the shares of the capital stock, or
                  any  voting  trust  certificates  in  respect of the shares of
                  capital stock, script,  warrants,  rights, bonds,  debentures,
                  notes,  trust  receipts,  and other  securities,  obligations,
                  choses in action and evidences of indebtedness,  book accounts
                  or any other security  interest or any other kind of interest,
                  secured or unsecured, issued or created by, or belonging to or
                  standing in the name of, any corporation, joint stock company,
<PAGE>

                  syndicate,  association,  firm,  trust or  person,  public  or
                  private, or the government of the United States of America, or
                  any foreign  government,  or any state,  territory,  province,
                  municipality   or   other   political   subdivision   or   any
                  governmental  agency,  and as owner  thereof  to  possess  and
                  exercise  all  of  the  rights,   powers  and   privileges  of
                  ownership,  including  the right to execute  consents and vote
                  thereon,  and to do any and all acts and things  necessary  or
                  advisable for the  preservation,  protection,  improvement and
                  enhancement in value thereof.

                           (j) To acquire,  and pay for in cash,  stock or bonds
                  of the Corporation or otherwise, the goodwill,  rights, assets
                  and property, and to undertake or assume the whole or any part
                  of  the  obligations  or  liabilities,  of any  person,  firm,
                  association or corporation.

                           (k) To cause to be formed,  merged,  consolidated  or
                  reorganized and to promote and aid in any way permitted by law
                  the formation,  merger, consolidation or reorganization of any
                  corporation.

                           (l) To borrow or raise moneys for any of the purposes
                  of the Corporation  and, from time to time without limit as to
                  amount,  to draw,  make,  accept,  endorse,  execute and issue
                  promissory notes, drafts, bills of exchange,  warrants, bonds,
                  debentures and other negotiable or non-negotiable  instruments
                  and  evidences of  indebtedness,  and to secure the payment of
                  any thereof and of the  interest  thereon by mortgage  upon or
                  pledge,  conveyance or assignment in trust of the whole or any
                  part  of  the  property  of  the  Corporation  (including  any
                  security  interests  acquired  by the  Corporation  to  secure
                  obligations  owing to the  Corporation),  whether  at the time
                  owned or thereafter acquired, and to sell, pledge or otherwise
                  dispose of such bonds or other  obligations of the Corporation
                  for its corporate purposes.

                           (m) To purchase,  hold,  sell and transfer the shares
                  of its own capital stock;  provided it shall not use its funds
                  or  property  for the  purchase  of its own  shares of capital
                  stock when such use would cause any  impairment of its capital
                  except as otherwise  permitted  by law,  and provided  further
                  that shares of its own capital stock belonging to it shall not
                  be voted, directly and indirectly.

                           (n)  To  aid  in   any   manner,   any   corporation,
                  association,  firm or  individual,  any of  whose  securities,
                  evidences of  indebtedness,  obligations  or stock are held by
                  the Corporation directly or indirectly, or in which, or in the
                  welfare of which, the Corporation shall have any interest, and
                  to  guarantee   securities,   evidences  of  indebtedness  and
                  obligations  of  other  persons,   firms,   associations   and
                  corporations.

                           (o) To do any and all of the acts and  things  herein
                  set  forth,  as  principal,   factor,  agent,  contractor,  or
                  otherwise,  either  alone or in company  with  others;  and in
                  general  to  carry  on any  other  similar  business  which is
                  incidental  or  conducive  or  convenient  or  proper  to  the
                  attainment of the foregoing purposes or any of them, and which
                  is not  forbidden  by law;  and to exercise any and all powers

<PAGE>


                  which  now or  hereafter may be lawful for the  Corporation to
                  exercise under the laws of the State of Delaware; to establish
                  and maintain offices and agencies within and anywhere  outside
                  of the State of  Delaware;  and to  exercise all or any of its
                  corporate  powers  and rights in the State of Delaware  and in
                  any  and  all  other States, territories, districts, colonies,
                  possessions or dependencies of the United  States  of  America
                  and in any foreign countries.

                  The objects and purposes  specified in the  foregoing  clauses
         shall be construed as both purposes and powers and shall,  except where
         otherwise  expressed,  be in nowise  limited or restricted by reference
         to,  or  inference  from,  the  terms  of  any  other  clause  in  this
         Certificate  of  Incorporation,  but shall be regarded  as  independent
         objects and purposes.

                  ARTICLE 4. The total  number of shares of capital  stock which
         the  Corporation   shall  have  authority  to  issue  is  Four  Million
         (4,000,000) shares, all of which shall be Common Plan of the par value
         of Ten Cents ($.10) per share. Without action by the stockholders, such
         shares  may be  issued  by the  Corporation  from time to time for such
         consideration as may be fixed by the Board of Directors,  provided that
         such consideration shall be not less than par value. Any and all shares
         so issued,  the full consideration for which has been paid or delivered
         shall be deemed fully paid stock and shall not be liable to any further
         call or assessment thereon, and the holders of such shares shall not be
         liable for any further  payment  thereon.  No holder of shares shall be
         entitled as a matter of right,  preemptive or  otherwise,  to subscribe
         for,  purchase or receive any shares of the stock of the Corporation of
         any class, now or hereafter authorized,  or any options or warrants for
         such stock or  securities  convertible  into or  exchangeable  for such
         stock, or any shares held in the treasury of the Corporation.

                  ARTICLE 5.  The Corporation is to have perpetual existence.

                  ARTICLE 6. The private property of the stockholders  shall not
         be subject to the payment of corporate debts to any extent whatever.

                  ARTICLE 7. The number of directors which shall  constitute the
         whole board shall be fixed from time to time by the stockholders or the
         Board of Directors, but in no case shall the number be less than three.

                  ARTICLE 8. In addition to the powers and  authority  expressly
         conferred upon them by statute and by this  certificate,  the directors
         are hereby  empowered  to exercise all such powers and do all such acts
         and things as may be  exercised  or done by the  Corporation;  subject,
         nevertheless,  to the  provisions of the statutes of Delaware,  of this
         Certificate of Incorporation, and to the By-Laws of the Corporation.

                  ARTICLE 9. In furtherance  and not in limitation of the powers
         conferred by statute, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized:

                           (a) To make, alter,  amend and rescind the By-Laws of
                  this  Corporation,  without  any  action  on the  part  of the
                  stockholders  except  as  may  be  otherwise  provided  in the
                  By-Laws.

                           (b) To fix and vary from  time to time the  amount to
                  be maintained as surplus, the amount to be reserved as working
                  capital  and  the  amount  to be  reserved  for  other  lawful
                  purposes.
<PAGE>

                           (c) To fix the times for the  declaration and payment
                  of dividends and the amount thereof, subject to the provisions
                  of Article 4 hereof.

                           (d) To borrow or raise moneys for any of the purposes
                  of the  Corporation,  to  authorize  and cause to be  executed
                  mortgages and liens without limit as to amount on the real and
                  personal property of this Corporation or any part thereof, and
                  to authorize the guaranty by the  Corporation  of  securities,
                  evidences of  indebtedness  and  obligations of other persons,
                  firms, associations and corporations.

                           (e) To sell, lease, exchange assign, transfer, convey
                  or  otherwise  dispose  of part of the  property,  assets  and
                  effects of this Corporation, less than substantially the whole
                  thereof,  on  such  terms  and  conditions  as it  shall  deem
                  advisable, without the assent of the stockholders.

                           (f) Pursuant to the  affirmative  vote of the holders
                  of a majority of the capital stock issued and  outstanding and
                  entitled to vote thereon,  to sell, lease,  exchange,  assign,
                  transfer  and  convey  or  otherwise  dispose  of the whole or
                  substantially the whole of the property,  assets,  effects and
                  goodwill,  of  this  Corporation,  including   the   corporate
                  franchise, upon such terms and  conditions  as  the  Board  of
                  Directors  shall  deem expedient and for the best interests of
                  this Corporation.

                           (g) To  determine  from time to time  whether  and to
                  what  extent  and at  what  time  and  place  and  under  what
                  conditions  and  regulations  the  accounts  and books of this
                  Corporation,  or any of them,  shall be open to the inspection
                  of the  stockholders;  and no stockholder shall have any right
                  to inspect any account,  book or document of this  Corporation
                  except as  conferred  by the laws of the State of  Delaware or
                  the By-Laws or as authorized by resolution of the stockholders
                  or Board of Directors.

                           (h) To designate by resolution or resolutions  one or
                  more  committees,  such  committees  to consist of two or more
                  directors   each,   which  to  the  extent  provided  in  said
                  resolution or resolutions or in the By-Laws shall have and may
                  exercise  (except  when  the  Board of  Directors  shall be in
                  session) all or any of the powers of the Board of Directors in
                  the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation,
                  and have power to authorize the seal of this Corporation to be
                  affixed to all papers which may require it.

         Whether  or not  herein  specifically  enumerated,  all  powers of this
Corporation,  in so far as the  same  may be  lawfully  vested  in the  Board of
Directors,  are hereby  conferred upon the Board of Directors.  This Corporation
may in its By-Laws confer powers upon its directors in addition to those granted
by this  certificate  and in  addition  to the  powers and  authority  expressly
conferred upon them by statute.

                  ARTICLE 10. No contract or transaction between the Corporation
         and  one  or  more  of  its  directors  or  officers,  or  between  the
         Corporation  and any other  corporation,  partnership,  association  or
         other  organization  in which one or more of its  directors or officers
         are directors or officers, or have a financial interest,  shall be void
         or voidable  solely for this reason,  or solely because the director or
         officer is present at or  participates  in the  meeting of the Board of
<PAGE>

         Directors  or  committee  thereof  which  authorizes  the  contract  or
         transaction,  or solely because his or their votes are counted for such
         purpose, if:

                           (a) The  material  facts as to his interest and as to
                  the contract or transaction  are disclosed or are known to the
                  Board  of  Directors  or  the  committee,  and  the  board  or
                  committee in good faith authorizes the contract or transaction
                  by a vote  sufficient  for such purpose  without  counting the
                  vote of the interested director or directors; or

                           (b) The  material  facts as to his interest and as to
                  the contract or transaction  are disclosed or are known to the
                  stockholders  entitled to vote  thereon,  and the  contract or
                  transaction is specifically  approved in good faith by vote of
                  the stockholders; or

                           (c) The  contract  or  transaction  is fair as to the
                  Corporation  as of the  time  it is  authorized,  approved  or
                  ratified by the Board of Directors,  a committee  thereof,  or
                  the stockholders.

                  Interested   directors  may  be  counted  in  determining  the
         presence  of a quorum at a meeting  of the Board of  Directors  or of a
         committee which authorizes the contract or transaction.

                  ARTICLE 11. No person shall be liable to the  Corporation  for
         any loss or damage  suffered  by it on account  of any action  taken or
         omitted to be taken by him as a director or officer of the  Corporation
         in good faith,  if such person (a) exercised or used the same degree of
         diligence,  care and skill as an  ordinarily  prudent  man  would  have
         exercised  or used under the  circumstances  in the  conduct of his own
         affairs,  or (b) took,  or omitted to take,  such action in reliance in
         good faith  upon  advice of counsel  for the  Corporation,  or upon the
         books of account or other records of the  Corporation,  or upon reports
         made to the  Corporation  by any of its  officers or by an  independent
         certified public accountant or by an appraiser selected with reasonable
         care by the Board of Directors or by any  committee  designated  by the
         Board of Directors.

                  ARTICLE  12.  The  Corporation  reserves  the  right to amend,
         alter,  change or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of
         Incorporation,  in the manner now or hereafter  prescribed  by statute,
         and all rights conferred upon  stockholders  herein are granted subject
         to this reservation.

















<PAGE>


         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  we have  signed this  certificate  and caused the
corporate seal of the  Corporation  to be hereunto  affixed this 6th day of May,
1974.


                                                         /s/ PAUL FOLEY
                                                           PAUL FOLEY
                                                           President

Attest:

/s/ J. DONALD McNAMARA
J. DONALD McNAMARA
Secretary

[Corporate Seal]




STATE OF NEW YORK }
                  }ss.:
COUNTY OF NEW YORK}

         BE IT REMEMBERED  that on this 6th day of May,  1974,  personally  came
before me MONROE S.  SINGER,  a Notary  Public in and for the  County  and State
aforesaid,  PAUL  FOLEY,  party  to  the  foregoing  certificate,  known  to  me
personally to be such, and duly  acknowledged the said certificate to be his act
and deed, and that the facts therein stated are true.

                  GIVEN  under  my hand  and  seal of  office  the day and  year
aforesaid.

                                                         /s/ MONROE S. SINGER
                                                           MONROE S. SINGER
                                                           Notary Public


                                                        MONROE S. SINGER
                                                Notary Public, State of New York
                                                         No. 31-9023080
                                                  Qualified in New York County
                                               Commission Expires March 30, 1979

                                                        [Notarial Seal]
















<PAGE>


                            CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
                                       OF
                      RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
                                       OF
                    THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC.
            Under Section 242 of the Delaware General Corporation Law


         We, PAUL FOLEY,  President,  and J. DONALD  McNAMARA,  Secretary of The
Interpublic Group of Companies,  Inc., a corporation  existing under the laws of
the State of Delaware,  do hereby certify under the seal of the said Corporation
as follows:

         FIRST:  The name  of  the  Corporation  is  THE  INTERPUBLIC  GROUP  OF
COMPANIES, INC.  The  name  under  which  it  was  formed  was  "McCann-Erickson
Incorporated".

         SECOND:  The Certificate of  Incorporation of the Corporation was filed
with the  Secretary of State,  Dover,  Delaware,  on the 18th day of  September,
1930. A Restated  Certificate of  Incorporation  was filed with the Secretary of
State, Dover, Delaware, on the 9th day of May, 1974.

         THIRD: The amendment of the Restated  Certificate of Incorporation  has
been duly  adopted in  accordance  with the  provisions  of  Section  242 of the
General  Corporation Law of the State of Delaware by an affirmative  vote of the
holders of a majority of all outstanding shares entitled to vote at a meeting of
shareholders, and the capital of the Corporation will not be reduced under or by
reason of said amendment.

         FOURTH: The first sentence of Article 4 of the Restated  Certificate of
Incorporation  is hereby  amended by  striking  out the whole  thereof as it now
exists and inserting in lieu and stead thereof a new first sentence,  reading in
full as follows:

                  ARTICLE 4. The total  number of shares of capital  stock which
         the  Corporation  shall  have  authority  to  issue  is  Eight  Million
         (8,000,000) shares, all of which shall be Common Plan of the par value
         of Ten Cents ($.10) per share.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  we have  signed this  Certificate  and caused the
corporate seal of the  Corporation to be hereunto  affixed this 12th day of May,
1976.

                                                               /s/ PAUL FOLEY
                                                                 PAUL FOLEY
                                                                 President

Attest:

/s/ J. DONALD McNAMARA
J. DONALD McNAMARA
Secretary
[Corporate Seal]








<PAGE>


                            CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
                                       OF
                      RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
                                       OF
                    THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC.
            Under Section 242 of the Delaware General Corporation Law


         We, PHILIP H. GEIER,  JR., Chairman of the Board, and EDWIN A. KIERNAN,
Jr.,  Secretary,  of The  Interpublic  Group of  Companies,  Inc., a corporation
existing  under the laws of the State of Delaware,  do hereby  certify under the
seal of the said Corporation as follows:

         FIRST:  The  name  of  the  Corporation  is  THE  INTERPUBLIC  GROUP OF
COMPANIES,  INC.  The name  under  which  it  was  formed  was  "McCann-Erickson
Incorporated".

         SECOND:  The Certificate of  Incorporation of the Corporation was filed
with the  Secretary of State,  Dover,  Delaware,  on the 18th day of  September,
1930. A Restated  Certificate of  Incorporation  was filed with the Secretary of
State,  Dover,  Delaware,  on the 9th day of May,  1974  which was  subsequently
amended  by  a  Certificate   of  Amendment  of  the  Restated   Certificate  of
Incorporation filed with the Secretary of State, Dover, Delaware on the 13th day
of May, 1976.

         THIRD: The amendment of the Restated  Certificate of Incorporation  has
been duly  adopted in  accordance  with the  provisions  of  Section  242 of the
General  Corporation Law of the State of Delaware by an affirmative  vote of the
holders of a majority of all outstanding shares entitled to vote at a meeting of
shareholders, and the capital of the Corporation will not be reduced under or by
reason of said amendment.

         FOURTH: The first sentence of Article 4 of the Restated  Certificate of
Incorporation,  as amended,  is hereby further amended by striking out the whole
thereof  as it now exists and  inserting  in lieu and stead  thereof a new first
sentence, reading in full as follows:

                  ARTICLE 4. The total  number of shares of capital  stock which
         the  Corporation  shall  have  authority  to issue is  Sixteen  Million
         (16,000,000)  shares,  all of which  shall be  Common  Plan of the par
         value of Ten Cents ($.10) per share.



         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  we have  signed this  Certificate  and caused the
corporate seal of the  Corporation to be hereunto  affixed this 17th day of May,
1983.



                                                        /s/ PHILIP H. GEIER, JR.
                                                           PHILIP H. GEIER, JR.
                                                           Chairman of the Board

Attest:

/s/ EDWIN A. KIERNAN
EDWIN A. KIERNAN
Secretary
[Corporate Seal]

<PAGE>


                            CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
                                       OF
                      RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
                                       OF
                    THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC.
            Under Section 242 of the Delaware General Corporation Law


         We,  PHILIP H. GEIER,  JR.,  Chairman of the Board and  President,  and
EDWIN A. KIERNAN, Jr., Secretary, of The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc., a
corporation existing under the laws of the State of Delaware,  do hereby certify
under the seal of the said Corporation as follows:


         FIRST:  The name  of  the  Corporation  is  THE  INTERPUBLIC  GROUP  OF
COMPANIES,  INC.  The  name  under  which  it  was  formed  was "McCann-Erickson
Incorporated".

         SECOND:  The Certificate of  Incorporation of the Corporation was filed
with the  Secretary of State,  Dover,  Delaware,  on the 18th day of  September,
1930. A Restated  Certificate of  Incorporation  was filed with the Secretary of
State,  Dover,  Delaware,  on the 9th day of May,  1974  which was  subsequently
amended  by   Certificates   of  Amendment  of  the  Restated   Certificate   of
Incorporation filed with the Secretary of State, Dover, Delaware on the 13th day
of May, 1976 and on the 17th day of May, 1983, respectively.

         THIRD: The amendment of the Restated  Certificate of Incorporation  has
been duly  adopted in  accordance  with the  provisions  of Sections  242 of the
General  Corporation Law of the State of Delaware by an affirmative  vote of the
holders of a majority of all outstanding shares entitled to vote at a meeting of
shareholders, and the capital of the Corporation will not be reduced under or by
reason of said amendment.

         FOURTH: The first sentence of Article 4 of the Restated  Certificate of
Incorporation,  as amended,  is hereby further amended by striking out the whole
thereof  as it now exists and  inserting  in lieu and stead  thereof a new first
sentence, reading in full as follows:

                  ARTICLE 4. The total  number of shares of capital  stock which
         the  Corporation  shall  have  authority  to  issue  is  Fifty  Million
         (50,000,000)  shares,  all of which  shall be  Common  Plan of the par
         value of Ten Cents ($.10) per share.


         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  we have  signed this  Certificate  and caused the
corporate seal of the  Corporation to be hereunto  affixed this 20th day of May,
1986.



                                                     /s/ PHILIP H. GEIER, JR.
                                                       PHILIP H. GEIER, JR.
                                                       Chairman of the Board and
                                                       President

Attest:

/s/ EDWIN A. KIERNAN
EDWIN A. KIERNAN
Secretary
[Corporate Seal]
<PAGE>

                            CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
                                       OF
                      RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
                                       OF
                    THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC.
            Under Section 242 of the Delaware General Corporation Law


         We, EUGENE P. BEARD,  Executive Vice  President,  and EDWIN A. KIERNAN,
JR.,  Secretary,  of The  Interpublic  Group of  Companies,  Inc., a corporation
existing  under the laws of the State of Delaware,  do hereby  certify under the
seal of the said Corporation as follows:


         FIRST:  The name  of  the  Corporation  is  THE  INTERPUBLIC  GROUP  OF
COMPANIES,  INC.  The  name  under  which  it  was  formed  was "McCann-Erickson
Incorporated".

         SECOND:  The Certificate of  Incorporation of the Corporation was filed
with the  Secretary of State,  Dover,  Delaware,  on the 18th day of  September,
1930. A Restated  Certificate of  Incorporation  was filed with the Secretary of
State,  Dover,  Delaware,  on the 9th day of May,  1974  which was  subsequently
amended  by   Certificates   of  Amendment  of  the  Restated   Certificate   of
Incorporation filed with the Secretary of State, Dover, Delaware on the 13th day
of May,  1976,  on the 17th day of May,  1983 and on the 20th day of May,  1986,
respectively.

         THIRD: This amendment of the Restated  Certificate of Incorporation has
been duly  adopted in  accordance  with the  provisions  of  Section  242 of the
General  Corporation Law of the State of Delaware by an affirmative  vote of the
holders of a majority of all outstanding shares entitled to vote at a meeting of
shareholders, and the capital of the Corporation will not be reduced under or by
reason of said amendment.

         FOURTH:  Article 4 of the Restated  Certificate  of  Incorporation,  as
amended,  is hereby further  amended by striking out the whole thereof as it now
exists and  inserting in lieu and stead thereof a new Article 4, reading in full
as follows:

                  ARTICLE  4: (a) The total  number of shares of all  classes of
         stock  which  the  Company   shall  have  the  authority  to  issue  is
         ninety-five  million  (95,000,000)  shares  consisting of  seventy-five
         million (75,000,000) shares of Common Plan, par value Ten Cents ($.10)
         per share, and twenty million  (20,000,000)  shares of Preferred Plan,
         without par value.

                           (b) The shares of  authorized  Common  Plan shall be
                  identical   in  all   respects   and  have  equal  rights  and
                  privileges. Without action by the stockholders, such shares of
                  Common  Plan may be issued by the  Company  from time to time
                  for  such  consideration  as may be  fixed  by  the  Board  of
                  Directors,  provided that such consideration shall not be less
                  than  par  value.  Any and all  shares  so  issued,  the  full
                  consideration  for which has been paid or  delivered  shall be
                  deemed fully paid stock and shall not be liable to any further
                  call or  assessment  thereon,  and the  holders of such shares
                  shall not be liable for any further payment thereon. No holder
                  of shares of Common  Plan  shall be  entitled  as a matter of
                  right,  preemptive or otherwise, to subscribe for, purchase or
                  receive  any shares of the stock of the  Company of any class,


<PAGE>

                  now or  hereafter  authorized,  or any options or warrants for
                  such stock or securities  convertible into or exchangeable for
                  such stock, or any shares held in the treasury of the Company.

                           (c) The Board of Directors  shall have the  authority
                  to issue the  shares of  Preferred  Plan from time to time on
                  such terms and conditions as it may  determine,  and to divide
                  the Preferred  Plan into one or more classes or series and in
                  connection  with the  creation  of any such class or series to
                  fix by the resolution or  resolutions  providing for the issue
                  of shares thereof the  designations,  powers,  preferences and
                  relative, participating,  optional, or other special rights of
                  such class or series, and the qualifications,  limitations, or
                  restrictions  thereof,  to the full  extent  now or  hereafter
                  permitted by law. The number of authorized shares of Preferred
                  Plan may be increased or decreased  (but not below the number
                  then  outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a
                  majority of the Common Plan, without a vote of the holders of
                  the  Preferred  Plan,  unless a vote of any such  holders  is
                  required   pursuant  to  the   certificate   or   certificates
                  establishing the series of Preferred Plan.


         FIFTH:   The  existing  Article  12  of  the  Restated  Certificate  of
Incorporation is hereby renumbered as Article 13.

         SIXTH:   The  Restated  Certificate  of  Incorporation,  as amended, is
hereby  further  amended  by  inserting  a  new  Article 12, reading  in full as
follows:

                  Article  12.  A  director  of  the  Corporation  shall  not be
         personally  liable to the Corporation or its  stockholders for monetary
         damages  for  breach  of  fiduciary  duty  as a  director,  except  for
         liability (i) for any breach of the  director's  duty of loyalty to the
         Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good
         faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of
         law, (iii) under Section 174 of the Delaware  General  Corporation Law,
         or (iv)  for any  transaction  from  which  the  director  derived  any
         improper personal benefit.  If the Delaware General  Corporation Law is
         amended after approval by the stockholders of this Article to authorize
         corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability
         of directors, then the liability of a director of the Corporation shall
         be  eliminated  or  limited  to the  fullest  extent  permitted  by the
         Delaware  General  Corporation  Law,  as  so  amended.  Any  repeal  or
         modification of this Article 12 by the  stockholders of the Corporation
         shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the
         Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  we have  signed this  Certificate  and caused the
corporate seal of the  Corporation to be hereunto  affixed this 19th day of May,
1988.

                                                      /s/ EUGENE P. BEARD
                                                        EUGENE P. BEARD
                                                        Executive Vice President

Attest:

/s/ EDWIN A. KIERNAN
EDWIN A. KIERNAN
Secretary

<PAGE>


                            CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
                                       OF
                      RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
                                       OF
                    THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC.
            Under Section 242 of the Delaware General Corporation Law


         We,  PHILIP H. GEIER,  JR.,  Chairman of the Board and  President,  and
CHRISTOPHER  RUDGE,  Secretary,  of The Interpublic Group of Companies,  Inc., a
corporation existing under the laws of the State of Delaware,  do hereby certify
under the seal of the said Corporation as follows:


         FIRST:  The name  of  the  Corporation  is  THE  INTERPUBLIC  GROUP  OF
COMPANIES,  INC.  The  name  under  which  it  was  formed  was "McCann-Erickson
Incorporated".

         SECOND:  The Certificate of  Incorporation of the Corporation was filed
with the  Secretary of State,  Dover,  Delaware,  on the 18th day of  September,
1930. A Restated  Certificate of  Incorporation  was filed with the Secretary of
State, Dover, Delaware, on the 9th day of May, 1974 and was subsequently amended
by Certificates of Amendment of the Restated  Certificate of Incorporation filed
with the Secretary of State,  Dover,  Delaware on the 13th day of May, 1976, the
17th  day of May,  1983,  the  20th of May,  1986,  and the  25th of May,  1988,
respectively.

         THIRD: This amendment of the Restated  Certificate of Incorporation has
been duly  adopted in  accordance  with the  provisions  of  Section  242 of the
General  Corporation Law of the State of Delaware by an affirmative  vote of the
holders of a majority of all outstanding shares entitled to vote at a meeting of
shareholders, and the capital of the Corporation will not be reduced under or by
reason of said amendment.

         FOURTH:  Article 4(a) of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation,  as
amended,  is hereby further  amended by striking out the whole thereof as it now
exists and inserting in lieu and stead  thereof a new Article  4(a),  reading in
full as follows:

                  ARTICLE  4(a) The total  number of  shares of all  classes  of
         stock which the  Corporation  shall have the  authority to issue is one
         hundred twenty million (120,000,000) shares,  consisting of one hundred
         million  (100,000,000)  shares  of  Common  Plan,  par value Ten Cents
         ($.10) per share, and twenty million  (20,000,000)  shares of Preferred
         Plan, without par value.


         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  we have  signed this  Certificate  and caused the
corporate seal of the  Corporation to be hereunto  affixed this 19th day of May,
1992.

[Corporate Seal]                                     /s/ PHILIP H. GEIER, JR.
                                                       PHILIP H. GEIER, JR.
                                                       Chairman of the Board and
                                                       President

Attest:

/s/ CHRISTOPHER RUDGE
CHRISTOPHER RUDGE
Secretary
<PAGE>

                            CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
                                       OF
                      RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
                                       OF
                    THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC.

            Under Section 242 of the Delaware General Corporation Law


                  I, Christopher  Rudge,  Senior Vice President and Secretary of
The Interpublic Group of Companies,  Inc., a corporation existing under the laws
of the State of Delaware, do hereby certify as follows:


                  FIRST:  The name of the Corporation is THE INTERPUBLIC  GROUP
OF COMPANIES,  INC. The name under  which  it  was  formed  was "McCann-Erickson
Incorporated".

                  SECOND:  The Certificate of  Incorporation  of the Corporation
was filed  with the  Secretary  of State,  Dover,  Delaware,  on the 18th day of
September,  1930. A Restated  Certificate  of  Incorporation  was filed with the
Secretary  of  State,  Dover,  Delaware,  on the 9th day of  May,  1974  and was
subsequently amended by Certificates of Amendment of the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation  filed with the Secretary of State, Dover,  Delaware,  on the 13th
day of May,  1976, the 17th day of May, 1983, the 20th of May, 1986, the 25th of
May, 1988 and the 19th of May, 1992, respectively.

                  THIRD:   This   amendment  of  the  Restated   Certificate  of
Incorporation has been duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Section
242 of the General  Corporation  Law of the State of Delaware by an  affirmative
vote of the holders of a majority of all outstanding  shares entitled to vote at
a meeting  of  shareholders,  and the  capital  of the  Corporation  will not be
reduced under or by reason of said amendment.

                  FOURTH:   Article   4(a)  of  the  Restated   Certificate   of
Incorporation,  as amended,  is hereby further amended by striking out the whole
thereof as it now exists and  inserting in lieu and stead  thereof a new Article
4(a), reading in full as follows:

                  Article  4(a):  The total  number of shares of all  classes of
stock which the  Corporation  shall have the  authority  to issue is one hundred
seventy million  (170,000,000)  shares,  consisting of one hundred fifty million
(150,000,000)  shares of Common Plan, par value Ten Cents ($.10) per share, and
twenty million (20,000,000) shares of Preferred Plan, without par value.


                  IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  I have signed this  Certificate this 2nd
day of June, 1995.



                                                     /s/ CHRISTOPHER RUDGE
                                                       CHRISTOPHER RUDGE
                                                       Senior Vice President and
                                                       Secretary







<PAGE>


                            CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
                                       OF
                      RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
                                       OF
                    THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC.
            Under Section 242 of the Delaware General Corporation Law


         I, Nicholas J. Camera,  Vice President and Secretary of The Interpublic
Group of Companies,  Inc., a corporation existing under the laws of the State of
Delaware, do hereby certify as follows:

         FIRST:   The  name  of  the  Corporation  is  The  Interpublic Group of
Companies, Inc.  The  name  under  which  it  was  formed  was  "McCann-Erickson
Incorporated."

         SECOND:  The Certificate of  Incorporation of the Corporation was filed
with the  Secretary of State,  Dover,  Delaware,  on the 18th day of  September,
1930. A Restated  Certificate of  Incorporation  was filed with the Secretary of
State, Dover, Delaware, on the 9th day of May, 1974 and was subsequently amended
by Certificates of Amendment of the Restated  Certificate of Incorporation filed
with the Secretary of State, Dover,  Delaware, on the 13th day of May, 1976, the
17th day of May, 1983, the 20th day of May, 1986, the 25th day of May, 1988, the
19th day of May, 1992 and the 6th day of June, 1995, respectively.

         THIRD: This amendment of the Restated  Certificate of Incorporation has
been duly  adopted in  accordance  with the  provisions  of  Section  242 of the
General  Corporation Law of the State of Delaware by an affirmative  vote of the
holders of a majority of all outstanding shares entitled to vote at a meeting of
shareholders, and the capital of the Corporation will not be reduced under or by
reason of said amendment.

         FOURTH:  Article 4(a) of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation,  as
amended,  is hereby further  amended by striking out the whole thereof as it now
exists and inserting in lieu and stead  thereof a new Article  4(a),  reading in
full as follows:

         Article 4(a):  The total number of shares of all classes of stock which
the  Corporation  shall have the  authority  to issue is two hundred  forty-five
million  (245,000,000)  shares,  consisting of two hundred  twenty-five  million
(225,000,000)  shares of Common Plan, par value Ten Cents ($.10) per share, and
twenty million (20,000,000) shares of Preferred Plan, without par value.




         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  I have  signed this  Certificate  this 5th day of
June, 1997.


                                                     /S/ Nicholas J. Camera
                                                    ---------------------------
                                                       NICHOLAS J. CAMERA
                                                    Vice President and Secretary







<PAGE>


                            CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

                                       OF

                      RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

                                       OF

                    THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC.

            Under Section 242 of the Delaware General Corporation Law



                  I,  Nicholas J. Camera,  Vice  President  and Secretary of The
Interpublic Group of Companies,  Inc., a corporation  existing under the laws of
the State of Delaware, do hereby certify as follows:

                  FIRST:  The name of the Corporation is  The  Interpublic Group
of Companies, Inc.  The name under which  it  was  formed  was  "McCann-Erickson
Incorporated."

                  SECOND:  The Certificate of  Incorporation  of the Corporation
was filed  with the  Secretary  of State,  Dover,  Delaware,  on the 18th day of
September,  1930. A Restated  Certificate  of  Incorporation  was filed with the
Secretary  of  State,  Dover,  Delaware,  on the 9th day of  May,  1974  and was
subsequently amended by Certificates of Amendment of the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation  filed with the Secretary of State, Dover,  Delaware,  on the 13th
day of May, 1976, the 17th day of May, 1983, the 20th day of May, 1986, the 25th
day of May, 1988,  the 19th day of May, 1992, the 6th day of June,  1995 and the
5th day of June, 1997 respectively.

                  THIRD:   This   amendment  of  the  Restated   Certificate  of
Incorporation has been duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Section
242 of the General  Corporation  Law of the State of Delaware by an  affirmative
vote of the holders of a majority of all outstanding  shares entitled to vote at
a meeting  of  shareholders,  and the  capital  of the  Corporation  will not be
reduced under or by reason of said amendment.

                  FOURTH:   Article   4(a)  of  the  Restated   Certificate   of
Incorporation,  as amended,  is hereby further amended by striking out the whole
thereof as it now exists and  inserting in lieu and stead  thereof a new Article
4(a), reading in full as follows:

                  Article  4(a):  The total  number of shares of all  classes of
stock which the  Corporation  shall have the  authority to issue is five hundred
seventy million (570,000,000)  shares,  consisting of five hundred fifty million
(550,000,000)  shares of Common Plan, par value Ten Cents ($.10) per share, and
twenty million (20,000,000) shares of Preferred Plan, without par value.

                  IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  I have signed this  Certificate this 7th
day of June, 1999.



                                                    /S/ Nicholas J. Camera
                                                    ----------------------------
                                                      Nicholas J. Camera
                                                    Vice President and Secretary



                                                                     Exhibit 10A
================================================================================
================================================================================






                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                     BETWEEN

                      INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC.


                                       AND


                                  HSBC BANK USA





                           ---------------------------

                                  US$25,000,000

                           ---------------------------



                             Dated as of May 1, 1999












================================================================================
================================================================================








<PAGE>


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


                                  SECTION PAGE


                                    SECTION 1
                         INTERPRETATIONS AND DEFINITIONS

1.1      Definitions..................................................... ..1
1.2      Accounting Terms and Determinations............................. ..7

                                    SECTION 2
                                    THE LOANS

2.1      Commitment...................................................... ..8
2.2      Method of Borrowing............................................ ...8
2.3      The Note....................................................... ...9
2.4      Maturity of Loans............................................. ....9
2.5      Interest Rates............................................... .....9
2.6      Fees..............................................................13
2.7      Optional Termination or Reduction of Commitment...................13
2.8      Mandatory Termination or Reduction of Commitment..................13
2.9      Optional Prepayments..............................................13
2.10     General Provisions as to Payments.................................14
2.11     Computation of Interest and Fees..................................14
2.12     Funding Losses....................................................14
2.13     Extension of Commitment...........................................14

                                    SECTION 3
                              CONDITIONS OF LENDING

3.1      All Loans.........................................................16
3.2      Initial Loan......................................................16

                                    SECTION 4
                     CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES AFFECTING LOANS

4.1      Basis for Determining Interest Rate Inadequate....................18
4.2      Illegality........................................................18
4.3      Increased Costs and Reduced Returns...............................18




















<PAGE>
                                   SECTION 5
                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

5.1      Corporate Existence and Power.....................................21
5.2      Corporate and Governmental Authorization; Contravention...........21
5.3      Binding Effect....................................................21
5.4      Financial Information.............................................21
5.5      Litigation........................................................22
5.6      Compliance with ERISA.............................................22
5.7      Taxes.............................................................22
5.8      Subsidiaries......................................................22

                                    SECTION 6
                                    COVENANTS

6.1      Information.......................................................23
6.2      Maintenance of Property; Insurance................................25
6.3      Conduct of Business and Maintenance of Existence..................25
6.4      Compliance with Laws..............................................25
6.5      Inspection of Property, Books and Records.........................26
6.6      Cash Flow to Total Borrowed Funds.................................26
6.7      Total Borrowed Funds to Consolidated Net Worth....................26
6.8      Minimum Consolidated Net Worth....................................26
6.9      Negative Pledge...................................................27
6.10     Consolidations, Mergers and Sales of Assets.......................28
6.11     Use of Proceeds...................................................28

                                    SECTION 7
                                EVENTS OF DEFAULT

7.1      Events of Default.................................................29

                                    SECTION 8
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

8.1      Notices...........................................................32
8.2      Amendments and Waivers; Cumulative Remedies.......................32
8.3      Successors and Assigns............................................32
8.4      Expenses; Documentary Taxes; Indemnification......................33
8.5      Counterparts......................................................34
8.6      Headings; Table of Contents.......................................34
8.7      Governing Law.....................................................34





















<PAGE>



                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

     AGREEMENT  dated  as of  May 1,  1999  between  THE  INTERPUBLIC  GROUP  OF
COMPANIES,  INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Borrower"),  and HSBC BANK USA, a
banking institution organized under the laws of New York State (the "Bank").

                                    SECTION 1
                         INTERPRETATIONS AND DEFINITIONS
                         -------------------------------


     1.1  Definitions.  The  following  terms,  as used  herein,  shall have the
following respective meanings:

               "Adjusted  CD Rate" has the meaning  set forth in Section  2.5(b)
          hereof.

               "Adjusted  London  Interbank  Offered  Rate" has the  meaning set
          forth in Section 2.5(C) hereof.

               "Applicable  Lending Office" means, with respect to the Bank, (i)
          in the case of Domestic Loans, its Domestic Lending Office and (ii) in
          the case of Eurodollar Loans, its EuroDollar Lending Office.

               "Assessment  Rate" has the  meaning  set forth in Section  2.5(b)
          hereof.

               "Base  Rate"  means,  for any day, a rate per annum  equal to the
          higher of (i) the rate of interest  announced  publicly by the Bank in
          New York,  New York,  from time to time,  as the Bank's prime rate and
          (ii) the Federal Funds Rate for such day plus 1%.

               "Base  Rate  Loan"  means a Loan  which  the  Borrower  specifies
          pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof shall be a Base Rate Loan.

               "Benefit  Arrangement"  means,  at any time, an employee  benefit
          plan within the  meaning of Section  3(3) of ERISA which is not a Plan
          or  a  Multiemployer   Plan  and  which  is  maintained  or  otherwise
          contributed to by any member of the ERISA Group.

               "Cash Flow" means the sum of net income of the  Borrower  and its
          Consolidated  Subsidiaries  (plus any  amount by which net  income has
          been  reduced  by reason of the  recognition  of  post-retirement  and
          post-employment  benefit  costs  prior to the  period  in  which  such
          benefits  are paid),  depreciation  expenses,  amortization  costs and
          changes  in  deferred  taxes,  provided  that  such sum  shall  not be
          adjusted for any increase or decrease in deferred taxes resulting from
          Quest & Associates, Inc., a Subsidiary of the Borrower, investing in a
          portfolio of computer  equipment  leases (it being further  understood
          that such  increase or decrease  in  deferred  taxes  relating to such
          investment shall not exceed $25,000,000).

               "CD Base  Rate"  has the  meaning  set  forth in  Section  2.5(b)
          hereof.
               "CD Loan" means a Loan which the Borrower  specifies  pursuant to
          Section 2.2 hereof shall be a CD Loan.

               "CD Margin" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5(b) hereof.


<PAGE>
               "Code" means the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986, as amended,  and
          any successor statute thereto.

               "Commitment"  means the obligation of the Bank to lend the amount
          set forth in Section  2.1 hereof,  as such amount may be reduced  from
          time to time pursuant to Section 2.7 hereof.

               "Consolidated  Subsidiary"  means at any date any  Subsidiary  or
          other entity the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of
          the Borrower in its consolidated financial statements as of such date.

               "Consolidated  Net  Worth"  means at any  date  the  consolidated
          stockholders' equity of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries
          as such appear on the financial  statements of the Borrower determined
          in accordance with generally accepted accounting  principles (plus any
          amount by which  retained  earnings  has been reduced by reason of the
          recognition of post-retirement and post-employment benefit costs prior
          to the period in which such benefits are paid and without  taking into
          account the effect of cumulative currency translation adjustments).

               "Debt" of any Person means at any date, without duplication,  (i)
          all  obligations  of  such  Person  for  borrowed   money,   including
          reimbursement  obligations for letters of credit, (ii) all obligations
          of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures,  notes or other similar
          instruments,  (iii) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred
          purchase price of property or services,  except trade accounts payable
          arising in the ordinary  course of business,  (iv) all  obligations of
          such Person as lessee  under  capital  leases,  (v) all Debt of others
          secured  by a Lien on any asset of such  Person,  whether  or not such
          Debt is assumed by such Person, and (vi) all Debt of others Guaranteed
          by such  Person,  but in  each  case  specified  in (i)  through  (vi)
          excludes obligations arising in connection with securities  repurchase
          transactions.

               "Default" means any condition or event which constitutes an Event
          of Default  or which  with the  giving of notice or lapse of time,  or
          both, would become an Event of Default.

               "Dollars" and the sign "$" mean lawful money of the United States
          of America.

               "Domestic  Business Day" means any day except a Saturday,  Sunday
          or other  day on which  commercial  banks  in New  York,  New York are
          authorized by law to close.

               "Domestic  Lending Office" means the principal office of the Bank
          located at 140  Broadway,  New York,  New York,  10005,  or such other
          branch (or affiliate) located within the United States as the Bank may
          hereafter designate as its Domestic Lending Office.

               "Domestic Loans" means CD Loans or Base Rate Loans or both.

               "Domestic  Reserve  Percentage"  has the  meaning  set  forth  in
          Section 2.5(b) hereof.

               "ERISA"  means the  Employee  Retirement  Income  Security Act of
          1974, as amended.

               "ERISA  Group" means the Borrower and all members of a controlled
          group of  corporations  and all trades or  businesses  (whether or not
          incorporated) under common control which,  together with the Borrower,
          are treated as a single  employer  under Section  414(b) or (c) of the
          Code.
<PAGE>
               "Eurodollar  Business  Day" means any  Domestic  Business  Day on
          which commercial Banks in London are open for  international  business
          (including dealings in Dollar deposits).

               "Eurodollar  Lending Office" means the office of the Bank located
          at 140 Broadway,  New York, New York,  10005, or such other branch (or
          affiliate) of the Bank as it may hereafter designate as its Eurodollar
          Lending Office.

               "Eurodollar  Loan"  means a Loan  which  the  Borrower  specifies
          pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof shall be a Eurodollar Loan.

               "Eurodollar  Margin" has the meaning set forth in Section  2.5(C)
          hereof.

               "Eurodollar  Reserve  Percentage"  has the  meaning  set forth in
          Section 2.5(C) hereof.

               "Event of Default" has the meaning set forth in Section 7 hereof.

               "Federal  Funds  Rate"  means,  for any day,  the rate per  annum
          (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest l/100th of 1%) equal to
          the  weighted  average  of  the  rates  on  overnight   Federal  funds
          transactions  with members of the Federal  Reserve System  arranged by
          Federal funds brokers on such day, as published by the Federal Reserve
          Bank of New York on the  Domestic  Business Day next  succeeding  such
          day, provided that (i) if such day is not a Domestic Business Day, the
          Federal   Funds  Rate  for  such  day  shall  be  such  rate  on  such
          transactions  on  the  next  preceding  Domestic  Business  Day  as so
          published on the next succeeding Domestic Business Day, and (ii) if no
          such rate is so published on such next  succeeding  Domestic  Business
          Day,  the Federal  Funds Rate for such day shall be the  average  rate
          quoted to the Bank on such day on such  transactions  as determined by
          the Bank in a reasonable manner.

               "Fixed  CD Rate" has the  meaning  set  forth in  Section  2.5(b)
          hereof.

               "Fixed  Rate  Loans"  means CD Loans,  Eurodollar  Loans or Money
          Market Rate Loans.

               "Guarantee"  by any Person means any  obligation,  contingent  or
          otherwise, of such Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Debt
          or other  obligation  of any other  Person and,  without  limiting the
          generality  of the  foregoing,  any  obligation,  direct or  indirect,
          contingent  or  otherwise,  of such  Person (i) to purchase or pay (or
          advance or supply  funds for the  purchase or payment of) such Debt or
          other   obligation   (whether   arising   by  virtue  of   partnership
          arrangements,  by agreement to keep-well,  to purchase assets,  goods,
          securities  or  services,   to  take-or-pay,   to  maintain  financial
          statement  conditions  or  otherwise)  or (ii)  entered  into  for the
          purpose of  assuring  in any other  manner the obligee of such Debt or
          other  obligation  of the payment  thereof or to protect  such obligee
          against loss in respect  thereof (in whole or in part),  provided that
          the term Guarantee  shall not include  endorsements  for collection or
          deposit in the ordinary course of business.  The term "Guarantee" used
          as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

               "Interest Period" means: (1) with respect to each CD Loan, at the
          Borrower's  option, the period commencing on the date of such Loan and
          ending 30,  60, 90 or 180 days  thereafter,  (2) with  respect to each
          Eurodollar Loan, at the Borrower's  option,  the period  commencing on
          the date of such  Loan  and  ending  one,  two,  three  or six  months
<PAGE>
          thereafter  and (3) with  respect  to each Base  Rate Loan the  period
          commencing  on the date of such  Loan and  ending  30 days  thereafter
          provided, that:

                    (a) any Interest  Period which would  otherwise end on a day
               which is not a  Eurodollar  Business Day shall be extended to the
               next succeeding  Eurodollar Business Day unless with respect to a
               Eurodollar  Loan such  Eurodollar  Business  Day falls in another
               calendar  month,  in which case such Interest Period shall end on
               the next preceding EuroDollar Business Day;

                    (b) with respect to a Eurodollar  Loan, any Interest  Period
               which begins on the last Eurodollar  Business Day of the calendar
               month   (or  on  a  day  for  which   there  is  no   numerically
               corresponding  day in the  calendar  month  at  the  end of  such
               Interest  Period) shall,  subject to clause (c) below, end on the
               last Eurodollar Business Day of a calendar month; and

                    (c) any Interest  Period which would otherwise end after the
               Termination Date shall end on the Termination Date;

                    provided further,  however, that if any such Interest Period
               shall be less  than 30 days,  the Loan for such  Interest  Period
               shall be a Base Rate Loan.

               "Lien"  means,  with respect to any asset,  any  mortgage,  lien,
          pledge, charge,  security interest or other encumbrance of any kind in
          respect of such asset. For purposes of this Agreement, the Borrower or
          any  Subsidiary  shall be  deemed to own  subject  to a Lien any asset
          which it has acquired or holds  subject to the interest of a vendor or
          lessor under any conditional  sale  agreement,  capital lease or other
          title retention agreement relating to such asset.

               "Loan" and "Loans" means a Domestic Loan, a Eurodollar Loan, or a
          Money Market Rate Loan, as the context may require.

               "London  Interbank  Offered  Rate" has the  meaning  set forth in
          Section 2.5(C) hereof.

               "Material  Plan"  means  at  any  time  a Plan  or  Plans  having
          aggregate unfunded benefit  liabilities (within the meaning of Section
          4001(a)(18) of ERISA) in excess of $25,000,000.

               "Money  Market  Rate  Loan"  means a Loan made by the Bank to the
          Borrower pursuant to Section 2.5(D) hereof.

               "Multiemployer  Plan"  means  at any  time  an  employee  pension
          benefit  plan that is a  "multiemployer  plan"  within the  meaning of
          Section  4001(a)(3) of ERISA to which any member of the ERISA Group is
          then making or accruing an  obligation  to make  contributions  or has
          within the preceding five plan years made contributions, including for
          these  purposes  any Person  which  ceased to be a member of the ERISA
          Group during such five year period.

               "Note  or  Notes"  means  the  promissory  note of the  Borrower,
          substantially  in the form of Exhibits A and B hereto  evidencing  the
          obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans.

               "PBGC"  means the Pension  Benefit  Guaranty  Corporation  or any
          entity succeeding to any or all of its functions under ERISA.

               "Participant" has the meaning set forth in Section 8.3.

<PAGE>
               "Person" means an individual,  a corporation,  a partnership,  an
          association,  a business  trust or any other  entity or  organization,
          including  a  government  or  political  subdivision  or an  agency or
          instrumentality thereof.

               "Plan"  means at any time a defined  benefit  pension plan (other
          than a  Multiemployer  Plan)  which is covered by Title IV of ERISA or
          subject to the minimum funding standards-under Section 412 of the Code
          and either (i) is maintained,  or contributed to, by any member of the
          ERISA Group for employees of any member of the ERISA Group or (ii) has
          at any time  within  the  preceding  five years  been  maintained,  or
          contributed  to, by any Person  which was at such time a member of the
          ERISA  Group  for  employees  of any  Person  which was at such time a
          member of the ERISA Group.

               "Regulation  U" means  Regulation  U of the Board of Governors of
          the Federal Reserve System, as in effect from time to time.

               "Significant  Subsidiary" or "Significant  Group of Subsidiaries"
          at any time of  determination  means any  Consolidated  Subsidiary  or
          group of Consolidated Subsidiaries,  respectively, which, individually
          or in the aggregate, together with its or their Subsidiaries, accounts
          or account for more than 10% of the consolidated gross revenues of the
          Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for the most recently ended
          fiscal year or for more than 10% of the total  assets of the  Borrower
          and its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries as of the end of such fiscal year;
          provided that in connection with any  determination  with respect to a
          Significant Group of Subsidiaries  under (x) Section 7(e), there shall
          be a payment  default,  failure or other event (of the type  described
          therein but without regard to the principal amount of such obligation)
          of each Consolidated  Subsidiary  included in such group, (y) Sections
          7(f) and (g) and the last sentence of Section  6.10,  the condition or
          event described  therein shall exist with respect to each Consolidated
          Subsidiary  included in such group or (z) Section 7(i), there shall be
          a final judgment (of the type specified  therein but without regard to
          the  amount  of such  judgment)  rendered  against  each  Consolidated
          Subsidiary included in such group.

               "Subsidiary"  means  any  corporation  or other  entity  of which
          securities or other ownership  interests  having ordinary voting power
          to elect a  majority  of the  board  of  directors  or  other  persons
          performing  similar  functions is at the time  directly or  indirectly
          owned by the Borrower.

               "Termination  Date"  means  April 30,  2002 or such later date to
          which the  Commitment  is extended in  accordance  with  Section  2.13
          hereof.

               "Total  Borrowed Funds" means at any date,  without  duplication,
          (i) all outstanding  obligations of the Borrower and its  Consolidated
          Subsidiaries for borrowed money,  (ii) all outstanding  obligations of
          the Borrower  and its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries  evidenced by bonds,
          debentures,  notes or similar  instruments  and (iii) any  outstanding
          obligations  of the type set forth in (i) or (ii) of any other  Person
          Guaranteed by the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, it being
          understood  that the obligation to repurchase  securities  transferred
          pursuant to a securities  repurchase  agreement shall not be deemed to
          give  rise to any  amount of Total  Borrowed  Funds  pursuant  to this
          definition.

     1.2 Accounting Terms and Determinations. Unless otherwise specified herein,
all  accounting   terms  used  herein  shall  be  interpreted,   all  accounting
determinations hereunder shall be made, and all financial statements required to
<PAGE>
be delivered  hereunder shall be prepared in accordance with generally  accepted
accounting  principles  as in  effect  from  time to  time,  applied  on a basis
consistent (except for changes concurred in by the Borrower's independent public
accountants) with the most recent audited  consolidated  financial statements of
the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries delivered to the Bank.


                                    SECTION 2
                                    THE LOANS
                                    ---------

     2.1 Commitment.  At any time prior to the Termination Date the Bank agrees,
on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, to lend to the Borrower
from  time to time  amounts  not  exceeding  in the  aggregate  at any one  time
outstanding the principal  amount of $25,000,000 (the  "Commitment").  Each Loan
under this Section 2.1 shall be in the principal  amount of  $1,000,000  (except
that any such Loan may be in the amount of the unused  Commitment) or any larger
multiple  thereof.  During  such  period and within the  foregoing  limits,  the
Borrower may borrow under this Section 2.1, repay or to the extent  permitted by
Section 2.9 hereof prepay Loans and reborrow  under this Section 2.1.

     2.2 Method of Borrowing.

          (a) With respect to each Loan made pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof, the
     Borrower  shall give the Bank notice  prior to 11:00 a.m.  on the  drawdown
     date in the case of a Base Rate Loan, at least one Domestic  Business Day's
     notice  in the case of a CD Loan,  or at least  three  Eurodollar  Business
     Days' notice in the case of a Eurodollar Loan, specifying:

               (i) the date of such Loan, which shall be a Domestic Business Day
          in the case of a Domestic  Loan and a  EuroDollar  Business Day in the
          case of a Eurodollar Loan;

               (ii) the principal amount of such Loan;

               (iii)  whether the Loan is to be a Base Rate Loan, a CD Loan or a
          Eurodollar Loan; and

               (iv) in the  case of a  Fixed  Rate  Loan,  the  duration  of the
          Interest  Period  applicable  thereto,  subject to the  definition  of
          Interest Period.

          (b) On the date of each Loan the Bank will make the  proceeds  thereof
     available to the Borrower at the Domestic Lending Office.

          (c) If the Bank makes a new Loan hereunder on a day which the Borrower
     is to repay all or any part of an  outstanding  Loan,  the Bank shall apply
     the  proceeds  of its new Loan to make  such  repayment  and only an amount
     equal to the  difference (if any) between the amount being borrowed and the
     amount being repaid shall be made  available by the Bank to the Borrower as
     provided in subsection (b) of this

          Section or remitted by the Borrower to the Bank as provided in Section
     2.10 hereof, as the case may be.

     2.3      The Note.

          (a) The Loans shall be evidenced by a single Note payable to the order
     of the Bank for the account of its  Applicable  Lending Office in an amount
     equal to the  aggregate  unpaid  principal  amount of the Loans.  The Money
     Market Rate Loans shall be  evidenced by the Money Market Rate Note, a form
     of which is attached hereto as Exhibit B.

<PAGE>
          (b) The Bank shall record and prior to any transfer, if permitted,  of
     its Note, shall endorse on the schedule forming a part thereof  appropriate
     notations  evidencing  the date,  the type,  the amount and the maturity of
     each  Loan to be  evidenced  by the Note and the  date and  amount  of each
     payment of principal  made by the Borrower with respect  thereto;  provided
     that the failure of the Bank to make any such  recordation  or  endorsement
     shall not affect the  obligations  of the  Borrower  hereunder or under the
     Note  and,  further  provided,  the Bank  shall  make  such  additions  and
     deletions as the Borrower may request in order to correct any mistakes. The
     Bank is hereby  irrevocably  authorized  by the  Borrower so to endorse the
     Note and to  attach  to and make a part of the Note a  continuation  of any
     such schedule as and when required.

     2.4 Maturity of Loans.  Each Loan shall mature,  and the  principal  amount
thereof  shall  be due and  payable,  on the  last  day of the  Interest  Period
applicable  to such Loan.  Each Money Market Rate Loan shall mature at such time
as may be agreed to by the Bank and the Borrower.

     2.5 Interest Rates.

          (a) Each  Base  Rate  Loan  shall  bear  interest  on the  outstanding
     principal  amount  thereof,  for each day from the date  such  Loan is made
     until it becomes  due,  at a rate per annum  equal to the Base  Rate.  Such
     interest shall be payable for each Interest Period on the last day thereof.
     Any overdue  principal  of and,  to the extent  permitted  by law,  overdue
     interest on the Base Rate Loans  shall bear  interest  during such  overdue
     period for each day until  paid at a rate per annum  equal to the sum of 1%
     plus the otherwise  applicable rate for such day,  payable on demand of the
     Bank.

          (b) Each CD Loan  shall bear  interest  on the  outstanding  principal
     amount thereof,  for each Interest Period applicable thereto, at a rate per
     annum equal to the applicable  Fixed CD Rate;  provided that if any CD Loan
     or any portion  thereof shall,  as a result of clause (c) of the definition
     of  Interest  Period,  have an Interest  Period of less than 30 days,  such
     portion  shall  bear  interest  during  such  Interest  Period  at the rate
     applicable to Base Rate Loans during such Period.  Such  interest  shall be
     payable  for each  Interest  Period on the last day  thereof  and,  if such
     Interest  Period is longer than 90 days,  at intervals of 90 days after the
     first day thereof. Any overdue principal of and, to the extent permitted by
     law,  overdue  interest  on the CD Loans  shall bear  interest  during such
     overdue period for each day until paid at a rate per annum equal to the sum
     of 1% plus the higher of (i) the Fixed CD Rate  applicable to such Loan and
     (ii) the rate applicable to Base Rate Loans for such day, payable on demand
     of the Bank.

               The "Fixed CD Rate"  applicable  to any CD Loan for any  Interest
          Period  means a rate per annum  equal to the sum of the CD Margin plus
          the applicable Adjusted CD Rate.

               The "CD Margin"  means (i)  .4250%,  if at the end of each of the
          two most recently  completed  fiscal quarters the Borrower's  ratio of
          Total  Borrowed Funds to  Consolidated  Net Worth was equal to or less
          than .40 to 1 and the Borrower's  ratio to Cash Flow to Total Borrowed
          Funds was equal to or greater  than .50 to 1; or (ii)  .5250%,  if (a)
          the  conditions  of clause (i) have not been  satisfied and (b) at the
          end of each of the two most  recently  completed  fiscal  quarters the
          Borrower's ratio of Total Borrowed Funds to Consolidated Net Worth was
          equal to or less than .70 to 1 and the  Borrower's  ratio of Cash Flow
          to Total  Borrowed  Funds  was equal to or  greater  than .35 to 1; or
          (iii) .6250%, if the conditions set forth in both clauses (i) and (ii)
          are not satisfied.

<PAGE>
               The "Adjusted CD Rate"  applicable to any Interest Period means a
          rate per annum determined pursuant to the following formula:

                            ( CDBR )
                    ACDR = (---------) + AR
                           ( 1 - DRP )
                    ACDR = Adjusted CD Rate for such Interest Period
                    CDBR = CD Base Rate for such Interest Period
                    AR = Assessment Rate
                    DRP = Domestic Reserve Percentage

               The "CD Base Rate" means for any Interest  Period the  prevailing
          per  annum  rate of  interest  as  reasonably  determined  by the Bank
          (rounded upward, if necessary,  to the next higher 1/100 of 1%) bid at
          11:00 a.m. (New York time) (or as soon  thereafter as  practicable) on
          the first day of such Interest  Period by two or more  certificate  of
          deposit  dealers of recognized  standing  selected by the Bank for the
          purchase at face value of US dollar  certificates of deposit issued by
          major New York banks in an amount  comparable to the principal  amount
          of the CD Loan to  which  such  Interest  Period  applies  and  with a
          maturity comparable to such Interest Period.

               The  "Domestic  Reserve  Percentage"  means  for  any  day,  that
          percentage (expressed as a decimal) which is in effect on such day, as
          prescribed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or
          any  successor)  for  determining  the  maximum  reserve   requirement
          (including,  without limitation,  any basic, supplemental or emergency
          reserves)  for a  member  bank  of the  Federal  Reserve  System  with
          deposits exceeding five billion Dollars in respect of new non-personal
          time deposits in Dollars  having a maturity  comparable to the related
          Interest  Period and in an amount of  $100,000  or more.  The Fixed CD
          Rate shall be adjusted  automatically  on and as of the effective date
          of any change in the Domestic Reserve Percentage.

               "Assessment  Rate" means for any  Interest  Period the net annual
          assessment  rate (rounded  upwards,  if necessary,  to the next higher
          1/100 of 1%)  actually  incurred  by the Bank to the  Federal  Deposit
          Insurance  Corporation (or any successor) for such  Corporation's  (or
          such successor's) insuring time deposits at offices of the Bank in the
          United  States  during the most recent  period for which such rate has
          been determined prior to the commencement of such Interest Period.

          (c) Each Eurodollar  Loan shall bear interest on the unpaid  principal
     amount thereof,  for the Interest Period applicable  thereto, at a rate per
     annum  equal  to the  sum of the  Eurodollar  Margin  plus  the  applicable
     Adjusted London Interbank  Offered Rate. Such interest shall be payable for
     each Interest  Period on the last day thereof and, if such Interest  Period
     is longer than three  months,  at intervals of three months after the first
     day thereof.  Any overdue principal of and, to the extent permitted by law,
     overdue  interest on the Eurodollar  Loans shall bear interest for each day
     until  paid at a rate per annum  equal to the sum of 1% plus the  higher of
     (i) the  rate of  interest  applicable  to such  Loan  and  (ii)  the  rate
     applicable to Base Rate Loans for such day, payable on demand of the Bank.

               The "Adjusted  London  Interbank  Offered Rate" applicable to any
          Interest Period means a rate per annum equal to the quotient  obtained
          (rounded  upwards,  if  necessary,  to the next higher 1/100 of 1%) by
          dividing (i) the applicable London Interbank Offered Rate by (ii) 1.00
          minus the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage.

               The "London  Interbank  Offered Rate"  applicable to any Interest
          Period  means  the rate per annum at which  deposits  in  Dollars  are
          offered to the Bank in the London  interbank  market at  approximately
<PAGE>
          11:00 a.m.  (London  time) two  Eurodollar  Business Days prior to the
          first day of such Interest Period in an amount  approximately equal to
          the  principal  amount of the  Eurodollar  Loan to which such Interest
          Period  is to  apply  and  for a  period  of time  comparable  to such
          Interest Period.

               The  "Eurodollar  Reserve  Percentage"  means  for any  day  that
          percentage (expressed as a decimal) which is in effect on such day, as
          prescribed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or
          any successor) for determining  the maximum reserve  requirement for a
          member bank of the Federal Reserve System with deposits exceeding five
          billion  dollars  in  respect  of  "Eurocurrency  liabilities"  (or in
          respect of any other category of liabilities  which includes  deposits
          by  reference  to  which  the  interest  rate on  Eurodollar  Loans is
          determined  or any  category of  extensions  of credit or other assets
          which  includes  loans by a  non-United  States  office of the Bank to
          United States  residents).  The Adjusted London Interbank Offered Rate
          shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any
          change in the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage.

               The "Eurodollar  Margin" means (i) .30%, if at the end of each of
          the two most recently  completed  fiscal quarters the Borrower's ratio
          of Total Borrowed Funds to Consolidated Net Worth was equal to or less
          than .40 to 1 and the Borrower's  ratio of Cash Flow to Total Borrowed
          Funds was equal to or greater than .50 to 1; or (ii) .40%,  if (a) the
          conditions of clause (i) have not been satisfied and (b) at the end of
          each of the two most recently completed fiscal quarters the Borrower's
          ratio of Total Borrowed Funds to  Consolidated  Net Worth was equal to
          or less than .70 to 1 and the  Borrower's  ratio of Cash Flow to Total
          Borrowed  Funds was equal to or greater  than .35 to 1; or (iii) .50%,
          if the  conditions  set  forth  in both  clauses  (i) and (ii) are not
          satisfied.


          (d)  Each  Money  Market  Rate  Loan  shall be made by the Bank to the
     Borrower  upon such  terms and  conditions  and in such  amounts  as may be
     agreed  upon from  time to time by the Bank and the  Borrower.  Each  Money
     Market  Rate Loan  shall be  evidenced  by a Note in the form of  Exhibit B
     hereto.


     2.6 Fees.  The Borrower  shall pay to the Bank a commitment fee computed on
the unused portion of the Commitment.  The per annum  commitment fee shall be on
any date from and after the date  hereof (i) .125% of the unused  portion of the
Commitment,  if at the end of each of the two  most  recently  completed  fiscal
quarters the Borrower's  ratio of Total Borrowed Funds to Consolidated Net Worth
was  equal to or less  than .40 to 1 and the  Borrower's  ratio of Cash  Flow to
Total  Borrowed Funds was equal to or greater than .50 to 1; or (ii) .15% of the
unused portion of the  Commitment,  if (a) the conditions of clause (i) have not
been  satisfied  and (b) at the end of each of the two most  recently  completed
fiscal quarters the Borrower's ratio of Total Borrowed Funds to Consolidated Net
Worth was equal to or less than .70 to 1 and the  Borrower's  ratio of Cash Flow
to Total Borrowed Funds was equal to or greater than .35 to 1; or (iii) .180% of
the unused portion of the Commitment, if the conditions set forth in clauses (i)
and (ii) are not  satisfied.  Such fees shall accrue from the date hereof to and
including the Termination Date and shall be payable  quarterly in arrears on the
last day of each June,  September,  December  and March and on any date on which
the Commitment is terminated or otherwise reduced.

     2.7 Optional Termination or Reduction of Commitment. The Borrower may, upon
at least three  Domestic  Business  Days'  notice to the Bank,  terminate at any
time, or reduce from time to time the unused portion of the Commitment. Any such
reduction of the  Commitment  shall be in the amount of $1,000,000 or any larger
<PAGE>
multiple thereof.  If the Commitment is terminated in its entirety,  the accrued
commitment fee shall be payable on the effective date of such termination.

     2.8 Mandatory  Termination  or Reduction of  Commitment.  If not previously
terminated  by the  Borrower  pursuant  to Section  2.7,  the  Commitment  shall
terminate on the Termination Date, and any Loans then outstanding (together with
accrued interest thereon) shall be due and payable on such date.

     2.9 Optional Prepayments.

               (a) The Borrower may, upon at least one Domestic  Business  Day's
          notice to the Bank,  prepay  the Base Rate  Loans  without  premium or
          penalty in whole at any time or from time to time in part in an amount
          equal to $1,000,000  or any multiple of  $1,000,000 in excess  thereof
          (or such  lesser  amount  as  applicable  if less than  $1,000,000  is
          outstanding)  by paying the principal  amount being  prepaid  together
          with accrued interest thereon to the date of prepayment.

               (b) Except as provided in Section 4.2 hereof,  the  Borrower  may
          not prepay all or any  portion  of the  principal  amount of any Fixed
          Rate Loan prior to the maturity thereof.

     2.10  General  Provisions  as to  Payments.  The  Borrower  shall make each
payment of  principal  of, and  interest  on, the Loans and of  commitment  fees
hereunder not later than 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the date when due in
funds immediately  available at the office of the Bank in New York, New York for
the account of (i) the Domestic Lending Office in the case of Domestic Loans and
Money  Market Rate Loans or (ii) the  Eurodollar  Lending  Office in the case of
Eurodollar  Loans.  Whenever  any payment of  principal  of, or interest on, the
Domestic Loans,  the Money Market Rate Loans, the commitment fee shall be due on
a day which is not a Domestic  Business Day, the date for payment  thereof shall
be extended to the next succeeding  Domestic  Business Day. Whenever any payment
of  principal  of, or interest  on, the  Eurodollar  Loans shall be due on a day
which is not a Eurodollar  Business  Day, the date for payment  thereof shall be
extended  to the next  succeeding  Eurodollar  Business  Day  unless as a result
thereof  it would  fall in the next  calendar  month,  in which case it shall be
advanced  to the next  preceding  EuroDollar  Business  Day. If the date for any
payment of  principal is extended by  operation  of law or  otherwise,  interest
shall be payable for such extended time.

     2.11  Computation  of  Interest  and Fees.  Interest  on the Loans  bearing
interest based on clause (i) of the definition of Base Rate shall be computed on
the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days,  as the case may be, and paid for actual
days  elapsed.  Interest on Loans bearing  interest  based on clause (ii) of the
definition of Base Rate, the CD Loans,  the Eurodollar Loans and the calculation
of the  commitment  fee shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and
paid for actual days elapsed.

     2.12 Funding  Losses.  If the Borrower  makes any payment of principal with
respect to any Fixed Rate Loan (pursuant to Section 4 or Section 7 or otherwise)
on any day other  than the last day of an  Interest  Period  applicable  to such
Loan,  or if the  Borrower  fails to borrow any Fixed Rate Loan after notice has
been given to the Bank in accordance with Section 2.2 hereof, the Borrower shall
reimburse  the Bank on demand for any resulting  loss or expense  incurred by it
(or by any existing or prospective  Participant  in the related Loan)  including
(without  limitation)  any loss incurred in obtaining,  liquidating or employing
deposits from third parties;  provided that the Bank shall have delivered to the
Borrower a certificate by a Bank officer as to the amount of such loss.

     2.13 Extension of Commitment.  Not more than 60 nor less than 45 days prior
to each date which is either the second or third  anniversary of this Agreement,
the Borrower may request in writing that the Bank extend the  Commitment  for an
additional  period of one year from the then current  Termination  Date.  If the
<PAGE>
Bank, in its sole discretion,  decides to grant such request, it shall so notify
the Borrower not less than 30 days before the then current  Termination  Date in
writing,  whereupon the Commitment shall be extended for an additional period of
one year from the then current Termination Date, and the term "Termination Date"
shall  thereafter  refer to the date that the Commitment,  as so extended,  will
terminate. If not extended as provided in this Section 2.13, the Commitment will
automatically  terminate on the then current  Termination  Date without  further
action by the Borrower or the Bank.


                                    SECTION 3
                              CONDITIONS OF LENDING
                              ---------------------


     The  obligation  of the Bank to make each Loan  hereunder is subject to the
performance by the Borrower of all its  obligations  under this Agreement and to
the satisfaction of the following further conditions:

     3.1 All Loans.  In the case of each Loan  hereunder,  including the initial
Loan:

          (a)  receipt by the Bank of the notice from the  Borrower  required by
     Section 2.2 hereof;

          (b) the fact that immediately  after the making of the Loan no Default
     with respect to Sections  6.1(d),  6.6,  6.7,  6.8, 6.9 or 6.10 or Event of
     Default shall have occurred and be  continuing,  except that in the case of
     any Loan which,  after the application of proceeds  thereof,  results in no
     net increase in the outstanding principal amount of Loans made by the Bank,
     the fact that immediately after the making of the Loan, no Event of Default
     shall have occurred and be continuing;

          (c) the fact that the representations and warranties contained in this
     Agreement  shall be true on and as of the date of the Loan (except,  in the
     case of any Loan which,  after the  application  of the  proceeds  thereof,
     results in no net  increase in the  outstanding  principal  amount of Loans
     made by the Bank, the  representations and warranties set forth in Sections
     5.4(B) and 5.5 so long as the Borrower has disclosed to the Bank any matter
     which would cause any such  representation to be untrue on the date of such
     Loan); and

          (d) receipt by the Bank of such other documents,  evidence,  materials
     and information with respect to the matters contemplated hereby as the Bank
     may reasonably request.

     Each  borrowing  hereunder  shall  be  deemed  to be a  representation  and
warranty by the  Borrower on the date of such Loan as to the facts  specified in
(b) and (c) of this Section.

     3.2 Initial Loan.  In the case of the initial Loan:

          (a) receipt by the Bank of a duly executed Note;

          (b) receipt by the Bank of an opinion of counsel to the Borrower as to
     the matters referred to in Sections 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.5 and 5.8 hereof,  and
     covering such other matters as the Bank may reasonably  request,  dated the
     date of such Loan, satisfactory in form and substance to the Bank;

          (c) receipt by the Bank of certified  copies of all  corporate  action
     taken by the Borrower to authorize the execution,  delivery and performance
     of this  Agreement  and the Note,  and the Loans  hereunder  and such other
     corporate documents and other papers as the Bank may reasonably request;
<PAGE>
          (d) receipt by the Bank of a certificate of a duly authorized  officer
     of  the  Borrower  as to the  incumbency,  and  setting  forth  a  specimen
     signature,  of each of the  persons (i) who has signed  this  Agreement  on
     behalf  of the  Borrower;  (ii) who will  sign  the Note on  behalf  of the
     Borrower;  and  (iii)  who  will,  until  replaced  by other  persons  duly
     authorized for that purpose, act as the representatives of the Borrower for
     the purpose of signing  documents in connection with this Agreement and the
     transactions contemplated hereby; and

          (e) receipt by the Bank of a certificate of a duly authorized  officer
     of the  Borrower  to the  effect  set forth in  Sections  3.1(b) and 3.1(c)
     hereof.


                                    SECTION 4
                     CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES AFFECTING LOANS
                     ---------------------------------------


     4.1 Basis for Determining  Interest Rate Inadequate.  If on or prior to the
first day of any Interest Period deposits in Dollars (in the applicable amounts)
are not being  offered  to the Bank in the  relevant  market  for such  Interest
Period, the Bank shall forthwith give notice thereof to the Borrower,  whereupon
the  obligations of the Bank to make CD Loans or Eurodollar  Loans,  as the case
may be,  shall be  suspended  until  the Bank  notifies  the  Borrower  that the
circumstances  giving  rise to such  suspension  no  longer  exist.  Unless  the
Borrower  notifies the Bank at least two Domestic  Business Days before the date
of any Fixed Rate Loan for which a notice of borrowing has previously been given
that it elects not to borrow on such date,  such Loan shall instead be made as a
Base Rate Loan or the notice of borrowing may be withdrawn.

     4.2 Illegality.  If, after the date of this Agreement,  the adoption of any
applicable law, rule or regulation,  or any change therein, or any change in the
interpretation or administration thereof by any governmental authority,  central
bank or comparable  agency  charged with the  interpretation  or  administration
thereof,  or compliance by the Bank (or its EuroDollar  Lending Office) with any
request  or  directive  (whether  or not  having  the  force of law) of any such
authority,  central  bank  or  comparable  agency  shall  make  it  unlawful  or
impossible for the Bank (or its Eurodollar Lending Office) to make,  maintain or
fund its  Eurodollar  Loans,  the Bank shall  forthwith so notify the  Borrower,
whereupon  the Bank's  obligation to make  Eurodollar  Loans shall be suspended.
Before giving any notice to the Borrower  pursuant to this Section 4.2, the Bank
will designate a different  Eurodollar  Lending Office if such  designation will
avoid the need for giving such notice and will not, in the judgment of the Bank,
be otherwise  disadvantageous  to the Bank. If the Bank shall  determine that it
may not lawfully continue to maintain and fund any of its outstanding Eurodollar
Loans to  maturity  and shall so  specify in such  notice,  the  Borrower  shall
immediately  prepay in full the then  outstanding  principal amount of each such
Eurodollar Loan, together with accrued interest thereon.

     4.3 Increased Costs and Reduced Returns.

          (a) If, after the date hereof,  the  adoption of any  applicable  law,
     rule  or  regulation,   or  any  change  therein,  or  any  change  in  the
     interpretation  or  administration  thereof by any governmental  authority,
     central  bank or  comparable  agency  charged  with the  interpretation  or
     administration thereof or compliance by the Bank (or its Applicable Lending
     Office) with any request or  directive  (whether or not having the force of
     law) of any such authority, central bank or comparable agency:

               (i) shall subject the Bank (or its Applicable  Lending Office) to
          any tax,  duty or other charge with respect to its  obligation to make
          Fixed Rate Loans,  its Fixed Rate Loans,  or its Note, or shall change
<PAGE>
          the  basis of  taxation  of  payments  to the Bank (or its  Applicable
          Lending  Office) of the  principal  of or  interest  on its Fixed Rate
          Loans or in respect of any other amounts due under this Agreement,  in
          respect of its Fixed Rate Loans or its  obligation  to make Fixed Rate
          Loans,  (except  for  changes  in the rate of tax on the  overall  net
          income of the Bank or its  Applicable  Lending  Office  imposed by the
          jurisdiction  in  which  the  Bank's  principal  executive  office  or
          Applicable Lending Office is located); or

               (ii) shall impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special
          deposit or similar requirement  (including,  without  limitation,  any
          imposed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve  System,  but
          excluding  (A)  with  respect  to any CD  Loan  any  such  requirement
          included in an applicable  Domestic  Reserve  Percentage  and (B) with
          respect to any  Eurodollar  Loan any such  requirement  included in an
          applicable  Eurodollar Reserve Percentage) against assets of, deposits
          with or for the  account of, or credit  extended  by, the Bank (or its
          Applicable  Lending  Office)  or  shall  impose  on the  Bank  (or its
          Applicable  Lending  Office)  or  on  the  United  States  market  for
          certificates  of  deposit  or the  London  interbank  market any other
          condition affecting its obligation to make Fixed Rate Loans, its Fixed
          Rate Loans or its Note;

               and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to
          the Bank (or its Applicable  Lending  Office) of making or maintaining
          any Fixed Rate Loan,  or to reduce the amount of any sum  received  or
          receivable by the Bank (or its Applicable  Lending  Office) under this
          Agreement or under its Note with respect thereto,  by an amount deemed
          by the Bank to be material,  then,  within 15 days after demand by the
          Bank, the Borrower agrees to pay to the Bank such additional amount or
          amounts  as will  compensate  the  Bank  for  such  increased  cost or
          reduction.

          (b) If the Bank shall have  determined  that the  adoption,  after the
     date hereof,  of any applicable law, rule or regulation  regarding  capital
     adequacy,  or any change therein,  or any change in the  interpretation  or
     administration  thereof  by any  governmental  authority,  central  bank or
     comparable  agency  charged  with  the   interpretation  or  administration
     thereof,  or compliance by the Bank (or its Applicable Lending Office) with
     any request or directive  regarding capital adequacy (whether or not having
     the force of law) of any such authority, central bank or comparable agency,
     has or would have the effect of  reducing  the rate of return on the Bank's
     capital as a consequence of its obligations hereunder to a level below that
     which  the Bank  could  have  achieved  but for such  adoption,  change  or
     compliance  (taking into  consideration the Bank's policies with respect to
     capital adequacy) by an amount deemed by the Bank to be material, then from
     time to time,  within 15 days after demand by the Bank,  the Borrower shall
     pay to such Bank such  additional  amount or amounts as will compensate the
     Bank for such reduction.

          (c) The Bank will  promptly  notify the Borrower of any event of which
     it has knowledge,  occurring after the date hereof,  which will entitle the
     Bank to  compensation  pursuant  to  this  Section  and  will  designate  a
     different Applicable Lending Office if such designation will avoid the need
     for,  or reduce the  amount  of,  such  compensation  and will not,  in the
     judgment  of  the  Bank,  be  otherwise  disadvantageous  to  the  Bank.  A
     certificate  by an officer  of the Bank  claiming  compensation  under this
     Section and setting forth the additional amount or amounts to be paid to it
     hereunder  shall, in the absence of manifest error,  constitute prima facie
     evidence of such amount.  In determining such amount,  the Bank may use any
     reasonable averaging and attribution methods.


<PAGE>
                                    SECTION 5
                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
                         ------------------------------

     The Borrower hereby represents and warrants to the Bank that:

     5.1  Corporate  Existence  and Power.  The Borrower is a  corporation  duly
organized, incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of
the State of its  incorporation,  and has all corporate  powers and all material
governmental licenses, authorizations,  consents and approvals required to carry
on its business as now conducted.

     5.2 Corporate and Governmental Authorization: Contravention. The execution,
delivery  and  performance  by the Borrower of this  Agreement  and the Note are
within  the  Borrower's  corporate  powers,  have  been duly  authorized  by all
necessary  corporate  action,  require no action by or in respect  of, or filing
with,  any  governmental  body,  agency or official  and do not  contravene,  or
constitute a default under,  any provision of applicable law or regulation or of
the certificate of  incorporation or by-laws of the Borrower or of any judgment,
injunction,  order, decree,  material agreement or other instrument binding upon
the Borrower or result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of
the Borrower or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries.

     5.3  Binding  Effect.  This  Agreement  constitutes  a  valid  and  binding
agreement  of the  Borrower  and the  Notes,  when  executed  and  delivered  in
accordance with this Agreement,  will constitute a valid and binding  obligation
of the Borrower.

     5.4 Financial Information.

          (a)  The   consolidated   balance   sheet  of  the  Borrower  and  its
     Consolidated   Subsidiaries  as  at  December  31,  1998  and  the  related
     consolidated  statements of income and retained  earnings and cash flows of
     the Borrower  and its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries  for the fiscal year then
     ended, certified by  PricewaterhouseCoopers,  certified public accountants,
     and set forth in the  Borrower's  most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, a
     copy of which has been delivered to the Bank,  fairly present in conformity
     with generally accepted accounting  principles,  the consolidated financial
     position of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries at such date and
     the consolidated results of operations for such fiscal year;

          (b) Since December 31, 1998 there has been no material  adverse change
     in the  business,  financial  position  or  results  of  operations  of the
     Borrower and its Consolidated  Subsidiaries,  considered as a whole,  other
     than as a result of the recognition of  post-employment  costs prior to the
     period in which such benefits are paid.

     5.5 Litigation.  There is no action, suit or proceeding pending against, or
to the knowledge of the Borrower threatened against,  the Borrower or any of its
Consolidated  Subsidiaries  before any court or arbitrator  or any  governmental
body,  agency or  official  in which there is a  significant  probability  of an
adverse  decision  which  would   materially   adversely  affect  the  business,
consolidated  financial  position or  consolidated  results of operations of the
Borrower  and its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries  taken  as a whole or which in any
manner draws into question the validity of this Agreement or the Notes.

     5.6 Compliance with ERISA. Each member of the ERISA Group has fulfilled its
obligations  under  the  minimum  funding  standards  of ERISA and the Code with
respect to each Plan and is in  compliance  in all  material  respects  with the
presently  applicable  provisions of ERISA and the Code except where the failure
to comply  would not have a  material  adverse  effect on the  Borrower  and its
Consolidated  Subsidiaries  taken as a whole.  No member of the ERISA  Group has
incurred any unsatisfied material liability to the PBGC or a Plan under Title IV
<PAGE>
of ERISA other than a liability to the PBGC for premiums  under  Section 4007 of
ERISA.

     5.7 Taxes. United States Federal income tax returns of the Borrower and its
Consolidated  Subsidiaries have been examined and closed through the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1993.  The Borrower and its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries  have
filed all United States  Federal  income tax returns and all other  material tax
returns  which  are  required  to be filed by them and have  paid all  taxes due
reported on such returns or pursuant to any assessment  received by the Borrower
or any  Consolidated  Subsidiary,  to the extent that such assessment has become
due.  The  charges,  accruals  and reserves on the books of the Borrower and its
Consolidated Subsidiaries in respect of taxes or other governmental charges are,
in the  opinion  of the  Borrower,  adequate  except  for those  which are being
contested in good faith by the Borrower.

     5.8  Subsidiaries.  Each of the Borrower's  Consolidated  Subsidiaries is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of its  jurisdiction  of  incorporation,  and has all  corporate  powers and all
material governmental licenses, authorizations,  consents and approvals required
to carry on its  business as now  conducted,  all to the extent  material to the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.


                                    SECTION 6
                                    COVENANTS
                                    ---------


     So long as the  Commitment  shall be in effect or the Note is  outstanding,
the Borrower agrees that:

     6.1 Information. The Borrower will deliver to the Bank:

          (a) as soon as available and in any event within 95 days after the end
     of each fiscal year of the Borrower,  a  consolidated  balance sheet of the
     Borrower and its Consolidated  Subsidiaries as at the end of such year, and
     consolidated  statements  of income and retained  earnings and statement of
     cash flows of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for such year,
     setting  forth  in each  case  in  comparative  form  the  figures  for the
     preceding fiscal year, all reported on by  PricewaterhouseCoopers  or other
     independent certified public accountants of nationally recognized standing;

          (b) as soon as available and in any event within 50 days after the end
     of each of the first three quarters of each fiscal year of the Borrower, an
     unaudited  consolidated  balance sheet of the Borrower and its Consolidated
     Subsidiaries  as at the  end of such  quarter  and  the  related  unaudited
     consolidated  statements  of income and retained  earnings and statement of
     cash  flows of the  Borrower  and its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries  for such
     quarter and for the portion of the Borrower's  fiscal year ended at the end
     of such quarter setting forth in each case in comparative  form the figures
     for  the  corresponding  quarter  and  the  corresponding  portion  of  the
     Borrower's   previous  fiscal  year,  all  certified  (subject  to  changes
     resulting from year-end  adjustments)  as to fairness of  presentation,  in
     conformity with generally accepted accounting  principles (other than as to
     footnotes) and  consistency  except to the extent of any changes  described
     therein and permitted by generally accepted  accounting  principles) by the
     chief financial officer or the chief accounting officer of the Borrower;

          (c)  simultaneously  with  the  delivery  of  each  set  of  financial
     statements  referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above,  a certificate of the
     chief financial officer or the chief accounting officer of the Borrower (i)
     setting forth in reasonable  detail the calculations  required to establish
     whether the Borrower was in compliance  with the  requirements  of Sections
<PAGE>
     6.6 to 6.8,  inclusive,  on the date of such financial  statements and (ii)
     stating  whether any Default has occurred and is  continuing on the date of
     such  certificate  and, if any Default then has occurred and is continuing,
     setting  forth the  details  thereof and the action  which the  Borrower is
     taking or proposes to take with respect thereto;

          (d) within 10 days of the chief  executive  officer,  chief  operating
     officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the
     Borrower  obtaining  knowledge of any event or  circumstance  known by such
     person to  constitute  a Default,  if such  Default is then  continuing,  a
     certificate of the principal financial officer or the principal  accounting
     officer of the Borrower  setting forth the details  thereof and within five
     days thereafter, a certificate of either of such officers setting forth the
     action  which  the  Borrower  is taking or  proposes  to take with  respect
     thereto;

          (e)  promptly  upon the  mailing  thereof to the  shareholders  of the
     Borrower generally,  copies of all financial statements,  reports and proxy
     statements so mailed;

          (f)  promptly  upon the  filing  thereof,  copies of all  registration
     statements (other than the exhibits thereto and any registration statements
     on Form S-8 or its  equivalent)  and annual,  quarterly or monthly  reports
     which the  Borrower  shall  have  filed with the  Securities  and  Exchange
     Commission;

          (g) if and when the chief executive officer,  chief operating officer,
     principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Borrower
     obtains  knowledge  that any member of the ERISA  Group (i) has given or is
     required to give notice to the PBGC of any  "reportable  event" (as defined
     in Section 4043 of ERISA) with  respect to any Plan which might  constitute
     grounds for a  termination  of such Plan under Title IV of ERISA,  or knows
     that the plan  administrator  of any Plan has given or is  required to give
     notice  of any  such  reportable  event,  a  copy  of the  notice  of  such
     reportable  event  given or  required  to be given  to the  PBGC;  (ii) has
     received notice of complete or partial withdrawal  liability under Title IV
     of ERISA or notice that any  Multiemployer  Plan is in  reorganization,  is
     insolvent  or has been  terminated,  a copy of such  notice;  or (iii)  has
     received  notice  from the PBGC  under  Title IV of ERISA of an  intent  to
     terminate,  impose  liability other than for premiums under Section 4007 of
     ERISA) in respect of, or appoint a trustee to  administer  any Plan, a copy
     of such notice;

          (h) if at any time the value of all  "margin  stock"  (as  defined  in
     Regulation  U)  owned by the  Borrower  and its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries
     exceeds (or would,  following  application  of the  proceeds of an intended
     Loan  hereunder,  exceed)  25% of the  value  of the  total  assets  of the
     Borrower  and its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries,  in each case as  reasonably
     determined by the Borrower, prompt notice of such fact; and

          (i)  from  time to time  such  additional  information  regarding  the
     financial  position or business of the Borrower as the Bank may  reasonably
     request;  provided,  however,  that the  Borrower  shall be  deemed to have
     satisfied  its  obligations  under  clauses (a) and (b) above if and to the
     extent that the Borrower  has  provided to the Bank  pursuant to clause (f)
     the  periodic  reports on Forms 10-Q and 10-K  required  to be filed by the
     Borrower  with the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  pursuant  to the
     Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,  for the quarterly and annual
     periods described in such clauses (a) and (b).

     6.2 Maintenance of Property; Insurance.


<PAGE>
          (a) The  Borrower  will  maintain  or cause to be  maintained  in good
     repair,  working order and condition all properties  used and useful in the
     business of the Borrower and each Consolidated  Subsidiary and from time to
     time will make or cause to be made all  appropriate  repairs,  renewals and
     replacement  thereof,  except  where the  failure to do so would not have a
     material adverse effect on the Borrower and its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries
     taken as a whole.

          (b) The Borrower will maintain or cause to be  maintained,  for itself
     and  its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries,  all to the  extent  material  to the
     Borrower  and its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries  taken as a  whole,  physical
     damage  insurance on all real and personal  property on an all risks basis,
     covering  the  repair  and  replacement  cost  of  all  such  property  and
     consequential  loss coverage for business  interruption  and extra expense,
     public liability  insurance in an amount not less than $10,000,000 and such
     other insurance of the kinds customarily insured against by corporations of
     established  reputation  engaged  in  the  same  or  similar  business  and
     similarly  situated,  of such type and in such  amounts as are  customarily
     carried under similar circumstances.

     6.3 Conduct of Business and  Maintenance  of  Existence.  The Borrower will
continue,  and will cause each  Consolidated  Subsidiary to continue,  to engage
predominantly  in  business of the same  general  type as now  conducted  by the
Borrower and its Consolidated  Subsidiaries,  and, except as otherwise permitted
by Section 6.10 hereof, will preserve,  renew and keep in full force and effect,
and will cause each Consolidated Subsidiary to preserve,  renew and keep in full
force and effect  their  respective  corporate  existence  and their  respective
rights and franchises  necessary in the normal  conduct of business,  all to the
extent  material to the Borrower and its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries  taken as a
whole.

     6.4  Compliance  with  Laws.  The  Borrower  will  comply,  and cause  each
Consolidated  Subsidiary to comply, in all material respects with all applicable
laws,  ordinances,   rules,   regulations,   and  requirements  of  governmental
authorities (including,  without limitation, ERISA and the rules and regulations
thereunder  and all federal,  state and local  statutes laws or  regulations  or
other governmental restrictions relating to environmental protection,  hazardous
substances  or the  cleanup  or other  remediation  thereof)  except  where  the
necessity of  compliance  therewith  is  contested in good faith by  appropriate
proceedings  or where the  failure to comply  would not have a material  adverse
effect on the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

     6.5 Inspection of Property, Books and Records.

          (a)  The  Borrower  will  keep,  and  will  cause  each   Consolidated
     Subsidiary to keep,  proper books of record and account in accordance  with
     sound  business  practice so as to permit its  financial  statements  to be
     prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting  principles;  and
     will permit  representatives of the Bank at the Bank's expense to visit and
     inspect any of the  Borrower's  properties,  to examine and make  abstracts
     from any of the  Borrower's  corporate  books and financial  records and to
     discuss the  Borrower's  affairs,  finances and accounts with the principal
     officers of the Borrower and its  independent  public  accountants,  all at
     such reasonable times and as often as may reasonably be necessary to ensure
     compliance by the Borrower with its obligations hereunder.

          (b)  With the  consent  of the  Borrower  (which  consent  will not be
     unreasonably  withheld)  or, if an Event of  Default  has  occurred  and is
     continuing,  without the requirement of any such consent, the Borrower will
     permit  representatives  of the Bank, at the Bank's  expense,  to visit and
     inspect any of the  properties  of and to examine the  corporate  books and
     financial records of any Consolidated Subsidiary and make copies thereof or
     extracts  therefrom  and to discuss the  affairs,  finances and accounts of
<PAGE>
     such Consolidated Subsidiary with its and the Borrower's principal officers
     and the Borrower's  independent public accountants,  all at such reasonable
     times and as often as the Bank may reasonably request.

     6.6 Cash  Flow to Total  Borrowed  Funds.  The  ratio of Cash Flow to Total
Borrowed  Funds shall not be less than .30 for any  consecutive  four  quarters,
such  ratio to be  calculated  at the end of each  quarter  on a  trailing  four
quarter basis.

     6.7 Total Borrowed Funds to  Consolidated  Net Worth.  Total Borrowed Funds
will not  exceed  85% of  Consolidated  Net Worth at end of any  quarter  of any
fiscal year.

     6.8 Minimum Consolidated Net Worth.  Consolidated Net Worth will at no time
be less  than  $550,000,000  plus  25% of the  consolidated  net  income  of the
Borrower at the end of each fiscal quarter for each fiscal year commencing after
the fiscal year ending December 31, 1994.

     6.9 Negative Pledge.  Neither the Borrower nor any Consolidated  Subsidiary
will  create,  assume  or  suffer  to exist  any Lien on any  asset now owned or
hereafter acquired by it, except for:

          (a) Liens existing on the date hereof;

          (b) any Lien existing on any asset of any corporation at the time such
     corporation   becomes  a   Consolidated   Subsidiary  and  not  created  in
     contemplation of such event;

          (c) any Lien on any asset  securing  Debt  incurred or assumed for the
     purpose of financing  all or any part of the cost of acquiring  such asset,
     provided that such Lien attaches to such asset  concurrently with or within
     90 days after the acquisition thereof;

          (d) any Lien on any asset of any corporation existing at the time such
     corporation  is  merged  into  or  consolidated  with  the  Borrower  or  a
     Consolidated Subsidiary and not created in contemplation of such event;

          (e) any Lien existing on any asset prior to the acquisition thereof by
     the Borrower or a Consolidated  Subsidiary and not created in contemplation
     of such acquisition;

          (f) any Lien created in connection with capitalized lease obligations,
     but only to the extent that such Lien encumbers  property  financed by such
     capital lease  obligation and the principal  component of such  capitalized
     lease obligation is not increased;

          (g) Liens arising in the ordinary  course of its business which (i) do
     not  secure  Debt and (ii) do not in the  aggregate  materially  impair the
     operation  of  the   business  of  the   Borrower   and  its   Consolidated
     Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

          (h) any Lien  arising out of the  refinancing,  extension,  renewal or
     refunding of any Debt secured by any Lien permitted by any of the foregoing
     clauses of this  Section,  provided  that such Debt is not increased and is
     not secured by any additional assets;

          (i) Liens  securing  taxes,  assessments,  fees or other  governmental
     charges or levies,  Liens  securing the claims of  materialmen,  mechanics,
     carriers,  landlords,  warehousemen and similar Persons,  Liens incurred in
     the ordinary course of business in connection with workmen's  compensation,
     unemployment  insurance  and other similar  laws,  Liens to secure  surety,
     appeal and performance bonds and other similar  obligations not incurred in
     connection with the borrowing of money, and attachment,  judgment and other
<PAGE>
     similar Liens arising in connection  with court  proceedings so long as the
     enforcement  of such Liens is  effectively  stayed  and the claims  secured
     thereby are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;

          (j) Liens not  otherwise  permitted by the  foregoing  clauses of this
     Section  securing  Debt  in an  aggregate  principal  amount  at  any  time
     outstanding not to exceed 10% of Consolidated Net Worth; and

          (k) any Liens on  property  arising in  connection  with a  securities
     repurchase transaction.

     6.10 Consolidations, Mergers and Sales of Assets. The Borrower will not (i)
consolidate  or merge with or into any other Person  (other than a Subsidiary of
the Borrower) unless the Borrower's  shareholders  immediately before the merger
or  consolidation  are to own more than 70% of the combined  voting power of the
resulting  entity's voting securities or (ii) sell, lease or otherwise  transfer
all or  substantially  all of the  Borrower's  business  or  assets to any other
Person (other than a Subsidiary of the  Borrower).  The Borrower will not permit
any  Significant  Subsidiary  or  (in a  series  of  related  transactions)  any
Significant  Group of  Subsidiaries to consolidate  with,  merge with or into or
transfer all of any substantial  part of its assets to any Person other than the
Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower.

     6.11 Use of  Proceeds.  The  proceeds of the Loans will be used for general
corporate  purposes,  including  the  making  of  acquisitions.  No  part of the
proceeds of any Loan  hereunder will be used,  directly or  indirectly,  for the
purpose,  whether  immediate,  incidental  or ultimate of buying or carrying any
"margin  stock" in violation  of  Regulation  U. If  requested by the Bank,  the
Borrower  will  furnish  to the Bank in  connection  with any Loan  hereunder  a
statement  in  conformity  with the  requirements  of Federal  Reserve  Form U-l
referred to in Regulation U.


                                    SECTION 7
                                EVENTS OF DEFAULT
                                -----------------


     7.1 Events of Default.  If any one or more of the  following  events
("Events of Default") shall have occurred and be continuing:

          (a) the Borrower  shall fail to pay (i) any principal of any Loan when
     due or (ii)  interest  on any Loan or any  commitment  fee within four days
     after the same has become due; or

          (b) the  Borrower  shall  fail to  observe  or  perform  any  covenant
     contained in Section 6.1(d) or Sections 6.6 to 6.8 or 6.10 hereof; or

          (c) the  Borrower  shall fail to observe or perform  any  covenant  or
     agreement  contained in this Agreement  (other than those covered by clause
     (a) or (b) above) for 30 days after written  notice  thereof has been given
     to the Borrower by the Bank; or

          (d) any representation, warranty or certification made by the Borrower
     in this  Agreement  or in any  certificate,  financial  statement  or other
     document  delivered  pursuant  to this  Agreement  shall prove to have been
     incorrect in any  material  respect upon the date when made or deemed made;
     or

          (e) (1) the  Borrower or any  Significant  Subsidiary  or  Significant
     Group of  Subsidiaries  defaults in any  payment at any stated  maturity of
     principal of or interest on any other obligation for money borrowed (or any
     capitalized  lease  obligation,  any  obligation  under  a  purchase  money
<PAGE>
     mortgage,  conditional  sale or  other  title  retention  agreement  or any
     obligation under notes payable or drafts accepted  representing  extensions
     of credit) beyond any period of grace provided with respect  thereto or (2)
     the  Borrower  or  any  Significant  Subsidiary  or  Significant  Group  of
     Subsidiaries  defaults in any payment other than at any stated  maturity of
     principal of or interest on any other obligation for money borrowed (or any
     capitalized  lease  obligation,  any  obligation  under  a  purchase  money
     mortgage,  conditional  sale or  other  title  retention  agreement  or any
     obligation under notes payable or drafts accepted  representing  extensions
     of credit) beyond any period of grace provided with respect thereto, or the
     Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary or Significant Group of Subsidiaries
     fails  to  perform  or  observe  any  other  agreement,  term or  condition
     contained in any agreement  under which any such  obligation is created (or
     if any other event  thereunder or under any such agreement  shall occur and
     be  continuing),  and the effect of such  default with respect to a payment
     other than at any stated  maturity,  failure or other event is to cause, or
     to permit the holder or holders of such  obligation (or a trustee on behalf
     of such holder or holders) to cause,  such  obligation  to become due or to
     require the purchase  thereof prior to any stated  maturity;  Provided that
     the  aggregate  amount  of all  obligations  as to which  any such  payment
     defaults  (whether or not at stated  maturity),  failures  or other  events
     shall have occurred and be  continuing  exceeds  $10,000,000  and provided,
     further,  that it is  understood  that the  obligations  referred to herein
     exclude those obligations arising in connection with securities  repurchase
     transactions; or

          (f) the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary or Significant Group of
     Subsidiaries  shall commence a voluntary case or other  proceeding  seeking
     liquidation,  reorganization  or other relief with respect to itself or its
     debts  under  any  bankruptcy,  insolvency  or  other  similar  law  now or
     hereafter  in effect or seeking  the  appointment  of a trustee,  receiver,
     liquidator,  custodian or other similar  official of it or any  substantial
     part of its  property,  or  shall  consent  to any  such  relief  or to the
     appointment of or taking  possession by any such official in an involuntary
     case or other  proceeding  commenced  against  it, or shall  make a general
     assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall fail generally to pay its
     debts as they become due, or shall take any  corporate  action to authorize
     any of the foregoing; or

          (g) an involuntary case or other proceeding shall be commenced against
     the  Borrower  or  any  Significant  Subsidiary  or  Significant  Group  of
     Subsidiaries  seeking  liquidation,  reorganization  or other  relief  with
     respect  to it or its  debts  under  any  bankruptcy,  insolvency  or other
     similar  law now or  hereafter  in effect or seeking the  appointment  of a
     trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of it or
     any substantial  part of its property,  and such  involuntary case or other
     proceeding  shall remain  undismissed and unstayed for a period of 60 days;
     or an order  for  relief  shall be  entered  against  the  Borrower  or any
     Significant  Subsidiary  or  Significant  Group of  Subsidiaries  under the
     federal bankruptcy laws as now or hereafter in effect; or

          (h) any  member  of the  ERISA  Group  shall  fail to pay when due any
     amount or amounts  aggregating in excess of $1,000,000  which it shall have
     become  liable  to pay to the  PBGC or to a Plan  under  Title  IV of ERISA
     (except  where such  liability is  contested  in good faith by  appropriate
     proceedings  as  permitted  under  Section  6.4);  or  notice  of intent to
     terminate a Material Plan (other than any multiple employer plan within the
     meaning of Section 4063 of ERISA) shall be filed under Title IV of ERISA by
     any member of the ERISA Group, any plan administrator or any combination of
     the foregoing;  or the PBGC shall institute  proceedings  under Title IV of
     ERISA to  terminate,  to impose  liability  (other than for premiums  under


<PAGE>
     Section 4007 of ERISA) in respect of, or to cause a trustee to be appointed
     to administer any such Material Plan; or

          (i)  judgments  or  orders  for the  payment  of  money in  excess  of
     $10,000,000 in the aggregate shall be rendered  against the Borrower or any
     Significant  Subsidiary  or  Significant  Group  of  Subsidiaries  and such
     judgments or orders shall continue unsatisfied and unstayed for a period of
     60 days; or

          (j) any  person or group of  persons  (within  the  meaning of Section
     13(d) or 14(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  as amended  (the
     "1934 Act")),  other than the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries,  becomes
     the beneficial  owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act)
     of  30% or  more  of the  combined  voting  power  of the  Borrower's  then
     outstanding voting  securities;  or a tender offer or exchange offer (other
     than an offer by the  Borrower  or a  Subsidiary)  pursuant to which 30% or
     more of the combined voting power of the Borrower's then outstanding voting
     securities was purchased,  expires; or during any period of two consecutive
     years,  individuals  who, at the beginning of such period,  constituted the
     Board of Directors of the Borrower  cease for any reason to  constitute  at
     least a majority  thereof,  unless the election or the  nomination  for the
     election by the Borrower's  stockholders  of each new director was approved
     by a vote of at least  two-thirds of the directors then still in office who
     were directors at the beginning of the period;

          then, and in every such event, (1) in the case of any of the Events of
     Default  specified in paragraphs  (f) or (g) above,  the  Commitment  shall
     thereupon  automatically  be  terminated  and the  principal of and accrued
     interest on the Note shall  automatically  become due and  payable  without
     presentment,  demand, protest or other notice or formality of any kind, all
     of which are hereby expressly waived and (2) in the case of any other Event
     of  Default  specified  above,  the Bank may,  by notice in  writing to the
     Borrower, terminate the Commitment hereunder, if still in existence, and it
     shall  thereupon be  terminated,  and the Bank may, by notice in writing to
     the  Borrower,  declare  the Note and all other  sums  payable  under  this
     Agreement to be, and the same shall  thereupon  forthwith  become,  due and
     payable without presentment,  demand,  protest or other notice or formality
     of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived.


                                    SECTION 8
                                  MISCELLANEOUS
                                  -------------


     8.1 Notices.  Unless  otherwise  specified  herein all  notices,  requests,
demands or other  communications  to or from the parties hereto shall be sent by
United States mail,  certified,  return receipt  requested,  telegram,  telex or
facsimile,  and shall be deemed to have been duly given upon receipt thereof. In
the case of a telex, receipt of such communication shall be deemed to occur when
the sender receives its answer back. In the case of a facsimile, receipt of such
communication  shall be deemed to occur when the sender confirms such receipt by
telephone.  Any such notice, request, demand or communication shall be delivered
or addressed as follows:

          (a) if to the  Borrower,  to it at 1271  Avenue of the  Americas,  New
     York, New York 10020; Attention:  Vice President and Treasurer (with a copy
     at the same address to the Senior Vice President and General Counsel);

          (b) if to the Bank,  communications  relating to its Eurodollar  Loans
     shall be delivered or addressed to the address or telex number set forth on
     the signature pages hereof for its Eurodollar  Lending Office and all other
     communications  shall be  delivered  or  addressed  to the address or telex
<PAGE>
     number set forth on the  signature  pages hereof for its  Domestic  Lending
     Office;

          or at such  other  address  or telex  number as any party  hereto  may
     designate by written notice to the other party hereto.

     8.2 Amendments and Waivers; Cumulative Remedies.

          (a) None of the terms of this  Agreement  may be  waived,  altered  or
     amended  except by an  instrument  in writing duly executed by the Borrower
     and the Bank.

          (b) No failure or delay by the Bank in exercising any right,  power or
     privilege  hereunder or under the Note shall  operate as a waiver  thereof,
     nor shall any  single or partial  exercise  thereof  preclude  any other or
     further  exercise  thereof or the  exercise  of any other  right,  power or
     privilege.  The rights and remedies provided herein shall be cumulative and
     not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.

     8.3 Successors and Assigns.

          (a) The provisions of this  Agreement  shall be binding upon and shall
     inure to the benefit of the Borrower and the Bank, except that the Borrower
     may not assign or  otherwise  transfer  any of its  rights and  obligations
     under this Agreement except as provided in Section 6.10 hereof, without the
     prior  written  consent of the Bank  which the Bank shall not  unreasonably
     delay or withhold.

          (b) The  Bank  may at any  time  grant  to one or more  banks or other
     institutions  (each  a  "Participant")   participating   interests  in  its
     Commitment  or any or all of its  Loans.  In the event of any such grant by
     the Bank of a participating interest to a Participant,  whether or not upon
     notice  to  the  Borrower  the  Bank  shall  remain   responsible  for  the
     performance of its obligations  hereunder,  and the Borrower shall continue
     to deal solely and  directly  with the Bank in  connection  with the Bank's
     rights and  obligations  under this  Agreement.  Any agreement  pursuant to
     which the Bank may grant such a  participating  interest shall provide that
     the Bank  shall  retain the sole right and  responsibility  to enforce  the
     obligations of the Borrower hereunder  including,  without limitation,  the
     right to approve any amendment,  modification or waiver of any provision of
     this Agreement; provided that such participation agreement may provide that
     the Bank will not agree to any  modification,  amendment  or waiver of this
     Agreement (i) which  increases or decreases the Commitment of the Bank (ii)
     reduces the principal of or rate of interest on any Loan or fees  hereunder
     or (iii)  postpones  the date  fixed for any  payment  of  principal  of or
     interest  on any Loan or any fees  hereunder  without  the  consent  of the
     Participant. The Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to
     the  benefits  of  Sections  2.12 and 4 with  respect to its  participating
     interest.

          (c) The Bank may at any time  assign all or any  portion of its rights
     under this  Agreement  and the Note or Notes to a Federal  Reserve Bank. No
     such assignment shall release the Bank from its obligations hereunder.

          (d) No Participant  or other  transferee of the Bank's rights shall be
     entitled to receive any greater payment under Sections 2.12 and 4.1 through
     4.3 than the Bank would have been  entitled to receive  with respect to the
     rights transferred,  unless such transfer is made with the Borrower's prior
     written consent or by reason of the provisions of Section 4.3(c)  requiring
     the Bank to designate a different  Applicable  Lending Office under certain
     circumstances  or at a time  when  the  circumstances  giving  rise to such
     greater payment did not exist.

<PAGE>
     8.4 Expenses; Documentary Taxes; Indemnification.

          (a) The Borrower shall pay (i) all out-of-pocket expenses and internal
     charges  of the  Bank  (including  reasonable  fees  and  disbursements  of
     counsel) in connection  with any Default  hereunder and (ii) if there is an
     Event  of  Default,  all  out-of-pocket   expenses  incurred  by  the  Bank
     (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel) in connection with
     such Event of Default  and  collection  and other  enforcement  proceedings
     resulting  therefrom.  The Borrower  shall  indemnify  the Bank against any
     transfer  taxes,  documentary  taxes,  assessments  or charges  made by any
     governmental  authority  by reason of the  execution  and  delivery of this
     Agreement or the Note.

          (b) The  Borrower  agrees  to  indemnify  the  Bank  and hold the Bank
     harmless from and against any and all liabilities,  losses,  damages, costs
     and expenses of any kind  (including,  without  limitation,  the reasonable
     fees and  disbursements  of  counsel  for the Bank in  connection  with any
     investigative,  administrative or judicial  proceeding,  whether or not the
     Bank shall be designated a party thereto) which may be incurred by the Bank
     relating  to or arising  out of any actual or  proposed  use of proceeds of
     Loans  hereunder  or any  merger or  acquisition  involving  the  Borrower;
     provided,  that  the Bank  shall  not  have  the  right  to be  indemnified
     hereunder for its own gross negligence or willful  misconduct as determined
     by a court of competent jurisdiction.

     8.5   Counterparts.   This  Agreement  may  be  signed  in  any  number  of
counterparts  with the same effect as if the signatures  thereto and hereto were
upon the same instrument.

     8.6 Headings;  Table of Contents.  The section and subsection headings used
herein and the Table of Contents have been inserted for convenience of reference
only  and do not  constitute  matters  to be  considered  in  interpreting  this
Agreement.

     8.7  Governing  Law.  This  Agreement  and the Note shall be  construed  in
accordance with and governed by the law of the State of New York.



























<PAGE>

IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly
executed and delivered by their proper and duly authorized officers as of May 1,
1999.

                                        THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF
                                        COMPANIES, INC.

                                        By:     /s/ Alan Forster
                                           -------------------------------------
                                                VP & Treasurer
                                           -------------------------------------



                                        HSBC BANK USA

                                        By:    /s/ Jeremy P. Bollington
                                           -------------------------------------

                                        Title:     Vice President
                                              ----------------------------------


                                        Domestic & Eurodollar Lending Office
                                        HSBC Bank USA
                                        140 Broadway
                                        New York, New York 10005-1196

                                        Attn: Mr. Jeremy P. Bollington
                                              VP, Multinationals
                                        Tel #(212) 658-1830
                                        Fax #(212) 658-5109
                                        Fed Wire: ABA Number: 021-001-088
                                        Account Number: 002-600-102
                                        Account Name: Commercial Loans
                                        Reference: The Interpublic Group of
                                          Companies, Inc.
                                        Attention:  Lydia Rivera
                                                    Loan Administrator























<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT A

                                      NOTE
                                      ----


US $25,000,000                                                       May 1, 1999
                                                              New York, New York


                  FOR VALUE RECEIVED, THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES,  INC.,
a Delaware corporation (the "Borrower"),  hereby promises to pay to the order of
HSBC BANK USA (the "Bank"),  for the account of its Applicable  Lending  Office,
the  unpaid  principal  amount  of each  Loan  made by the Bank to the  Borrower
pursuant  to the  Credit  Agreement  referred  to  below  on the last day of the
Interest Period relating to such Loan. The Borrower  promises to pay interest on
the  unpaid  principal  amount of each such Loan on the dates and at the rate or
rates provided for in the Credit Agreement.

                  All such payments of principal  and interest  shall be made in
lawful  money of the United  States of  America in Federal or other  immediately
available funds at the office of the Bank located at 140 Broadway, New York, New
York 10005.

                  All Loans made by the Bank, the respective  maturities thereof
and all  repayments of the principal  thereof shall be recorded by the Bank and,
prior to any  transfer  hereof,  endorsed by the Bank on the  schedule  attached
hereto,  or on a  continuation  of such  schedule  attached  to and  made a part
hereof;  provided that the failure of the Bank to make any such  recordation  or
endorsement shall not affect the obligations of the Borrower  hereunder or under
the Credit Agreement.

                  This  note is the Note  referred  to in the  Credit  Agreement
dated as of May 1, 1999  between the  Borrower  and the Bank (as the same may be
amended from time to time, the "Credit Agreement").  Terms defined in the Credit
Agreement  are used  herein  with the same  meanings.  Reference  is made to the
Credit  Agreement for provisions for the prepayment  hereof and the acceleration
of the maturity hereof.


                                        THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC.


                                        By:
                                           -------------------------------------

                                        Title:
                                              ----------------------------------














<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                         LOANS AND PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
                                              Amount of
                 Amount of                    Principal       Maturity       Notation
   Date            Loan       Type of Loan     Repaid           Date          Made By
- ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------

- ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------

- ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------

- ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------

- ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------

- ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------

- ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------

- ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------

- ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------

</TABLE>



































<PAGE>
                                   EXHIBIT B

                                MONEY MARKET NOTE
                                -----------------



                                                                     May 1, 1999
                                                              New York, New York


                  FOR VALUE RECEIVED, THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES,  INC.,
a Delaware corporation (the "Borrower"),  hereby promises to pay to the order of
HSBC BANK USA (the  "Bank"),  for the account of its  Domestic  Lending  Office,
Money Market Rate Loans made by the Bank to the Borrower  pursuant to the Credit
Agreement referred to below upon such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon
pursuant to said Credit Agreement.  The Borrower promises to pay interest on the
unpaid  principal amount of each such Loan on the dates and at the rate or rates
provided for in the Credit Agreement.

                  All such payments of principal  and interest  shall be made in
lawful  money of the United  States of  America in Federal or other  immediately
available funds at the office of the Bank located at 140 Broadway, New York, New
York, 10005.

                  All  Money  Market  Loans  made by the  Bank,  the  respective
maturities thereof and all repayments of the principal thereof shall be recorded
by the Bank  and,  prior to any  transfer  hereof,  endorsed  by the Bank on the
schedule  attached hereto, or on a continuation of such schedule attached to and
made a part  hereof;  provided  that  the  failure  of the Bank to make any such
recordation  or  endorsement  shall not affect the  obligations  of the Borrower
hereunder or under the Credit Agreement.

                  This note is one of the Money Market Notes  referred to in the
Credit  Agreement  dated as of May 1, 1999 between the Borrower and the Bank (as
the same may be  amended  from  time to time,  the  "Credit  Agreement").  Terms
defined  in the  Credit  Agreement  are used  herein  with  the  same  meanings.
Reference is made to the Credit  Agreement  for  provisions  for the  prepayment
hereof and the acceleration of the maturity hereof.


                                        THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC.

                                        By:
                                           -------------------------------------


                                        Title:
                                              ----------------------------------














<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                         LOANS AND PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
                                              Amount of
                 Amount of                    Principal       Maturity       Notation
   Date            Loan       Type of Loan     Repaid           Date          Made By
- ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------

- ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------

- ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------

- ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------

- ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------

- ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------

- ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------

- ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------

- ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------

</TABLE>



































<PAGE>

                                                                     EXHIBIT 10B

                                      NOTE
                                      ----


US $25,000,000                                                       May 1, 1999
                                                              New York, New York


                  FOR VALUE RECEIVED, THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES,  INC.,
a Delaware corporation (the "Borrower"),  hereby promises to pay to the order of
HSBC BANK USA (the "Bank"),  for the account of its Applicable  Lending  Office,
the  unpaid  principal  amount  of each  Loan  made by the Bank to the  Borrower
pursuant  to the  Credit  Agreement  referred  to  below  on the last day of the
Interest Period relating to such Loan. The Borrower  promises to pay interest on
the  unpaid  principal  amount of each such Loan on the dates and at the rate or
rates provided for in the Credit Agreement.

                  All such payments of principal  and interest  shall be made in
lawful  money of the United  States of  America in Federal or other  immediately
available funds at the office of the Bank located at 140 Broadway, New York, New
York 10005.

                  All Loans made by the Bank, the respective  maturities thereof
and all  repayments of the principal  thereof shall be recorded by the Bank and,
prior to any  transfer  hereof,  endorsed by the Bank on the  schedule  attached
hereto,  or on a  continuation  of such  schedule  attached  to and  made a part
hereof;  provided that the failure of the Bank to make any such  recordation  or
endorsement shall not affect the obligations of the Borrower  hereunder or under
the Credit Agreement.

                  This  note is the Note  referred  to in the  Credit  Agreement
dated as of May 1, 1999  between the  Borrower  and the Bank (as the same may be
amended from time to time, the "Credit Agreement").  Terms defined in the Credit
Agreement  are used  herein  with the same  meanings.  Reference  is made to the
Credit  Agreement for provisions for the prepayment  hereof and the acceleration
of the maturity hereof.


                                        THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC.


                                        By:       /s/ Alan Forster
                                           -------------------------------------

                                        Title:      VP & Treasurer
                                              ----------------------------------














<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                         LOANS AND PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
                                              Amount of
                 Amount of                    Principal       Maturity       Notation
   Date            Loan       Type of Loan     Repaid           Date          Made By
- ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------

- ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------

- ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------

- ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------

- ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------

- ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------

- ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------

- ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------

- ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------

</TABLE>



































<PAGE>
                                                                     EXHIBIT 10C

                                MONEY MARKET NOTE
                                -----------------



                                                                     May 1, 1999
                                                              New York, New York


                  FOR VALUE RECEIVED, THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES,  INC.,
a Delaware corporation (the "Borrower"),  hereby promises to pay to the order of
HSBC BANK USA (the  "Bank"),  for the account of its  Domestic  Lending  Office,
Money Market Rate Loans made by the Bank to the Borrower  pursuant to the Credit
Agreement referred to below upon such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon
pursuant to said Credit Agreement.  The Borrower promises to pay interest on the
unpaid  principal amount of each such Loan on the dates and at the rate or rates
provided for in the Credit Agreement.

                  All such payments of principal  and interest  shall be made in
lawful  money of the United  States of  America in Federal or other  immediately
available funds at the office of the Bank located at 140 Broadway, New York, New
York, 10005.

                  All  Money  Market  Loans  made by the  Bank,  the  respective
maturities thereof and all repayments of the principal thereof shall be recorded
by the Bank  and,  prior to any  transfer  hereof,  endorsed  by the Bank on the
schedule  attached hereto, or on a continuation of such schedule attached to and
made a part  hereof;  provided  that  the  failure  of the Bank to make any such
recordation  or  endorsement  shall not affect the  obligations  of the Borrower
hereunder or under the Credit Agreement.

                  This note is one of the Money Market Notes  referred to in the
Credit  Agreement  dated as of May 1, 1999 between the Borrower and the Bank (as
the same may be  amended  from  time to time,  the  "Credit  Agreement").  Terms
defined  in the  Credit  Agreement  are used  herein  with  the  same  meanings.
Reference is made to the Credit  Agreement  for  provisions  for the  prepayment
hereof and the acceleration of the maturity hereof.


                                        THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC.

                                        By:    /s/ Alan M. Forster
                                           -------------------------------------
                                                   Alan M. Forster

                                        Title:  Vice President & Treasurer
                                              ----------------------------------














<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                         LOANS AND PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
                                              Amount of
                 Amount of                    Principal       Maturity       Notation
   Date            Loan       Type of Loan     Repaid           Date          Made By
- ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------

- ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------

- ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------

- ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------

- ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------

- ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------

- ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------

- ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------

- ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------

</TABLE>



































<PAGE>

                                                                         EX 10-D


                                  $361,000,000


                    THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC.



                  1.87% CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2006




                               PURCHASE AGREEMENT

















 May 26, 1999




























<PAGE>





                                                                    May 26, 1999


Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Salomon Smith Barney Inc.
c/o  Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
     1585 Broadway
     New York, New York 10036

Dear Sirs and Mesdames:

         The Interpublic Group of Companies,  Inc., a Delaware  corporation (the
"COMPANY"),  proposes  to issue  and  sell to the  several  purchasers  named in
Schedule I hereto (the "INITIAL  PURCHASERS")  $313,000,000  aggregate principal
amount at maturity  of its 1.87%  Convertible  Subordinated  Notes due 2006 (the
"FIRM SECURITIES") to be issued pursuant to the provisions of an Indenture dated
as of June 1, 1999 (the  "INDENTURE")  between  the  Company and The Bank of New
York, as Trustee (the "TRUSTEE"). The Company also proposes to issue and sell to
the  Initial  Purchasers  not  more  than an  additional  $48,000,000  aggregate
principal  amount at maturity of its 1.87%  Convertible  Subordinated  Notes due
2006 (the "Additional Securities") if and to the extent that you, as Managers of
the  offering,  shall have  determined  to  exercise,  on behalf of the  Initial
Purchasers,  the right to purchase such 1.87% Convertible Subordinated Notes due
2006 granted to the Initial  Purchasers in Section 2 hereof. The Firm Securities
and the Additional  Securities are hereinafter  collectively  referred to as the
"SECURITIES".  The Securities will be convertible into shares of Common Plan of
the  Company,  par value $0.10 per share (the "COMMON  STOCK" and such  reserved
convertible  shares into which the Securities are  convertible,  the "UNDERLYING
SECURITIES"),  together  with  the  rights  (the  "RIGHTS")  evidenced  by  such
Underlying  Securities to the extent provided in the Preferred Share Rights Plan
(the "RIGHTS  PLAN")  dated as of August 1, 1989,  between the Company and First
Chicago Trust Company of New York.

         The  Securities  will be offered  without  being  registered  under the
Securities  Act of  1933,  as  amended  (the  "SECURITIES  ACT"),  to  qualified
institutional buyers in compliance with the exemption from registration provided
by Rule 144A under the Securities Act, and to institutional accredited investors
(as defined in Rule  501(a)(1),  (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities  Act) that
deliver a letter in the form annexed to the Final Memorandum (as defined below).

         The Initial  Purchasers and their direct and indirect  transferees will
be entitled to the benefits of a Registration  Rights  Agreement  dated the date
hereof between the Company and the Initial Purchasers (the "REGISTRATION  RIGHTS
AGREEMENT").

         In connection with the sale of the Securities, the Company has prepared
a  preliminary  offering  memorandum  (the  "PRELIMINARY  MEMORANDUM")  and will
prepare a final  offering  memorandum  (the  "FINAL  MEMORANDUM"  and,  with the
Preliminary  Memorandum,  each a  "MEMORANDUM")  including or  incorporating  by
reference  a  description  of the  terms of the  Securities  and the  Underlying
Securities,  the terms of the offering and a description of the Company. As used
herein,  the  term  "Memorandum"  shall  include  in  each  case  the  documents
incorporated  by reference  therein.  The terms  "SUPPLEMENT",  "AMENDMENT"  and
"AMEND" as used herein with respect to a Memorandum  shall include all documents
deemed to be incorporated  by reference in the  Preliminary  Memorandum or Final
Memorandum  that are filed  subsequent to the date of such  Memorandum  with the

<PAGE>
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "COMMISSION") pursuant to the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "EXCHANGE ACT").

           1.   Representations  and  Warranties.  The  Company  represents  and
warrants to, and agrees with, you that:

                  (a) (i) Each  document,  if any, filed or to be filed pursuant
         to the  Exchange  Act  that is  incorporated  by  reference  in  either
         Memorandum  complied  or will  comply  when so  filed  in all  material
         respects with the Exchange Act and the applicable rules and regulations
         of the Commission  thereunder and (ii) the Preliminary  Memorandum does
         not contain and the Final  Memorandum,  in the form used by the Initial
         Purchasers  to confirm  sales and on the  Closing  Date (as  defined in
         Section 4), will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
         omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein,
         in the light of the  circumstances  under  which  they were  made,  not
         misleading, except that the representations and warranties set forth in
         this  paragraph  do not  apply to  statements  or  omissions  in either
         Memorandum  based upon  information  relating to any Initial  Purchaser
         furnished to the Company in writing by such Initial  Purchaser  through
         you expressly for use therein.

                  (b)  The  Company  has  been  duly  incorporated,  is  validly
         existing  as a  corporation  in good  standing  under  the  laws of the
         jurisdiction  of  its  incorporation,   has  the  corporate  power  and
         authority  to own its property and to conduct its business as described
         in each Memorandum and is duly qualified to transact business and is in
         good standing in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business
         or its ownership or leasing of property  requires  such  qualification,
         except to the extent that the failure to be so  qualified or be in good
         standing  would not have a material  adverse  effect on the Company and
         its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

                  (c) Each wholly-owned  subsidiary of the Company has been duly
         incorporated,  is validly  existing as a  corporation  in good standing
         under  the  laws  of the  jurisdiction  of its  incorporation,  has the
         corporate  power and  authority  to own its property and to conduct its
         business as  described  in each  Memorandum  and is duly  qualified  to
         transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which
         the  conduct of its  business or its  ownership  or leasing of property
         requires such  qualification,  except to the extent that the failure to
         be so incorporated or qualified or be in good standing would not have a
         material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a
         whole;  all of the issued shares of capital stock of each subsidiary of
         the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully
         paid and non-assessable and are owned directly by the Company, free and
         clear of all liens,  encumbrances,  equities  or claims,  except to the
         extent that the failure to be so authorized,  issued and fully paid and
         non-assessable and so owned would not have a material adverse effect on
         the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

                  (d) This  Agreement  has been duly  authorized,  executed  and
         delivered by the Company.

                  (e) The  Final  Memorandum  describes  accurately  as to legal
         matters in all material  respects the  authorized  capital stock of the
         Company.

                  (f) The shares of Common Plan  outstanding on the date hereof
         have  been duly  authorized  and are  validly  issued,  fully  paid and
         non-assessable.


<PAGE>
                  (g)  The  Securities  have  been  duly  authorized  and,  when
         executed and  authenticated  in accordance  with the  provisions of the
         Indenture  and  delivered to and paid for by the Initial  Purchasers in
         accordance with the terms of this Agreement,  will be valid and binding
         obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms,
         subject to applicable bankruptcy,  insolvency or similar laws affecting
         creditors' rights generally and general  principles of equity, and will
         be entitled to the  benefits  of the  Indenture  pursuant to which such
         Securities are to be issued and the Registration Rights Agreement.

                  (h) (1) The Underlying  Securities issuable upon conversion of
         the Securities  have been duly authorized and reserved and, when issued
         upon  conversion of the Securities in accordance  with the terms of the
         Securities, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable,  and
         the issuance of the  Underlying  Securities  will not be subject to any
         preemptive or similar rights and (2) the Rights,  if any, issuable upon
         conversion of the Securities have been duly authorized and, when and if
         issued upon  conversion in  accordance  with the terms of the Indenture
         and the Rights Plan, will have been validly issued.

                  (i)  Each  of  the  Indenture  and  the  Registration   Rights
         Agreement will be, as of the Closing Date,  duly  authorized,  executed
         and  delivered  by, and will be, as of the  Closing  Date,  a valid and
         binding agreement of, the Company,  enforceable  against the Company in
         accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency
         or similar  laws  affecting  creditors'  rights  generally  and general
         principles  of equity  and  except as  rights  to  indemnification  and
         contribution  under the  Registration  Rights  Agreement may be limited
         under applicable law.

                  (j) The  execution  and  delivery  by the  Company of, and the
         performance by the Company of its obligations  under,  this  Agreement,
         the Indenture,  the  Registration  Rights  Agreement and the Securities
         will not contravene any provision of applicable law or the  certificate
         of  incorporation  or by-laws of the Company or any  agreement or other
         instrument  binding upon the Company or any of its subsidiaries that is
         material to the Company and its subsidiaries,  taken as a whole, or any
         judgment,  order or decree of any  governmental  body,  agency or court
         having jurisdiction over the Company or any subsidiary, and no consent,
         approval,  authorization  or  order  of,  or  qualification  with,  any
         governmental  body or agency is  required  for the  performance  by the
         Company of its  obligations  under this Agreement,  the Indenture,  the
         Registration Rights Agreement or the Securities,  except such as may be
         required by the  securities  or Blue Sky laws of the various  states in
         connection with the offer and sale of the Securities and by Federal and
         state securities laws with respect to the Company's  obligations  under
         the Registration Rights Agreement.

                  (k) There has not occurred any material adverse change, or any
         development  involving a prospective  material  adverse change,  in the
         condition,  financial or  otherwise,  or in the  earnings,  business or
         operations of the Company and its subsidiaries,  taken as a whole, from
         that set forth in the Final Memorandum.

                  (l) There are no legal or governmental proceedings pending or,
         to the knowledge of the Company, threatened to which the Company or any
         of its subsidiaries is a party or to which any of the properties of the
         Company or any of its  subsidiaries  is subject other than  proceedings
         accurately  described in all material  respects in each  Memorandum and
         proceedings  that  would  not have a  material  adverse  effect  on the
         Company  and its  subsidiaries,  taken as a whole,  or on the  power or
         ability of the Company to perform its obligations under this Agreement,

<PAGE>
         the Indenture,  the Registration  Rights Agreement or the Securities or
         to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Final Memorandum.

                  (m) The  Company  is  not,  and  after  giving  effect  to the
         offering and sale of the Securities and the application of the proceeds
         thereof  as  described  in  the  Final  Memorandum,   will  not  be  an
         "investment  company" as such term is defined in the Investment Company
         Act of 1940, as amended.

                  (n) Neither the Company nor any  affiliate (as defined in Rule
         501(b) of Regulation D under the Securities Act, an "AFFILIATE") of the
         Company  has  directly,  or through  any agent  (other than the Initial
         Purchasers or any Affiliate of any Initial  Purchasers,  as to which no
         representation is made), (i) sold,  offered for sale,  solicited offers
         to buy or otherwise  negotiated in respect of, any security (as defined
         in the Securities  Act) which is or will be integrated with the sale of
         the  Securities in a manner that would require the  registration  under
         the  Securities  Act of the  Securities  or (ii) engaged in any form of
         general  solicitation  or general  advertising  in connection  with the
         offering of the  Securities,  (as those terms are used in  Regulation D
         under the Securities Act) or in any manner  involving a public offering
         within the meaning of Section 4(2) of the Securities Act.

                  (o) It is not necessary in connection with the offer, sale and
         delivery  of the  Securities  to the Initial  Purchasers  in the manner
         contemplated  by this  Agreement to register the  Securities  under the
         Securities  Act or to qualify the Indenture  under the Trust  Indenture
         Act of 1939, as amended.

                  (p) The Securities  satisfy the requirements set forth in Rule
         144A(d)(3) under the Securities Act.

                  (q) The Company has reviewed and is  continuing  to review its
         operations and that of its subsidiaries to evaluate the extent to which
         the business or  operations  of the Company or any of its  subsidiaries
         will be affected  by the Year 2000  Problem  (that is, any  significant
         risk  that  computer  hardware  or  software  applications  used by the
         Company  and its  subsidiaries  will not,  in the case of dates or time
         periods  occurring  after  December  31,  1999,  function  at  least as
         effectively as in the case of dates or time periods  occurring prior to
         January 1, 2000);  as a result of such  review,  (i) the Company has no
         reason to believe, and does not believe,  that (A) there are any issues
         related to the Company's  preparedness to address the Year 2000 Problem
         that are of a character  required to be described or referred to in the
         Preliminary   Memorandum  or  Final  Memorandum  which  have  not  been
         accurately described in the Preliminary  Memorandum or Final Memorandum
         and (B) the Year 2000  Problem will have a material  adverse  effect on
         the condition,  financial or otherwise, or on the earnings, business or
         operations of the Company and its  subsidiaries,  taken as a whole,  or
         result  in any  material  loss or  interference  with the  business  or
         operations of the Company and its  subsidiaries,  taken as a whole; and
         (ii) the  Company  reasonably  believes,  after due  inquiry,  that the
         critical suppliers,  vendors, customers or other material third parties
         used or served by the Company and such  subsidiaries  are addressing or
         will  address  the Year 2000  Problem  in a timely  manner (or that the
         Company has a  reasonable  belief that its  contingency  plans for such
         third  parties'  failure to address  the Year 2000  Problem  will be in
         place)  except to the extent  that a failure  to address  the Year 2000
         Problem  by any  such  critical  supplier,  vendor,  customer  or other
         material  third party would not have a material  adverse  effect on the
         condition,  financial or  otherwise,  or on the  earnings,  business or
         operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

<PAGE>
           2. Agreements to Sell and Purchase. The Company hereby agrees to sell
to the several Initial Purchasers, and each Initial Purchaser, upon the basis of
the  representations  and  warranties  herein  contained,  but  subject  to  the
conditions  hereinafter stated,  agrees,  severally and not jointly, to purchase
from the Company the respective  aggregate  principal amount at maturity of Firm
Securities set forth in Schedule I hereto  opposite its name at a purchase price
of 81.218% of the aggregate  principal amount thereof at maturity (the "PURCHASE
PRICE") plus accrued interest, if any, to the Closing Date.

         On the basis of the  representations  and warranties  contained in this
Agreement,  and subject to its terms and conditions,  the Company agrees to sell
to the Initial Purchasers the Additional Securities,  and the Initial Purchasers
shall  have a one-time  right to  purchase,  severally  and not  jointly,  up to
$48,000,000  aggregate principal amount at maturity of Additional  Securities at
the  Purchase  Price plus accrued  interest,  if any, to the date of payment and
delivery.  If Morgan  Stanley  & Co.  Incorporated,  on  behalf  of the  Initial
Purchasers,  elects to exercise such option,  Morgan Stanley & Co.  Incorporated
shall so notify the  Company in writing not later than 30 days after the date of
this  Agreement,  which notice shall specify the aggregate  principal  amount at
maturity of Additional  Securities to be purchased by the Initial Purchasers and
the date on which such Additional Securities are to be purchased.  Such date may
be the same as the Closing  Date but not earlier than the Closing Date nor later
than ten business days after the date of such notice.  Additional Securities may
be  purchased  as  provided  in  Section 4 solely for the  purpose  of  covering
over-allotments made in connection with the offering of the Firm Securities.  If
any Additional  Securities are to be purchased,  each Initial  Purchaser agrees,
severally  and not  jointly,  to  purchase  the  aggregate  principal  amount at
maturity of  Additional  Securities  (subject to such  adjustments  to eliminate
fractional  Securities as you may determine)  that bears the same  proportion to
the total aggregate principal amount at maturity of Additional  Securities to be
purchased as the aggregate  principal  amount at maturity of Firm Securities set
forth in Schedule I opposite  the name of such  Initial  Purchaser  bears to the
total aggregate principal amount at maturity of Firm Securities.

         The Company  hereby agrees that,  without the prior written  consent of
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated on behalf of the Initial  Purchasers,  it will
not,  during the period  ending 90 days after the date of the Final  Memorandum,
(i) offer,  pledge,  sell,  contract  to sell,  sell any option or  contract  to
purchase,  purchase any option or contract to sell,  grant any option,  right or
warrant to  purchase,  lend,  or otherwise  transfer or dispose of,  directly or
indirectly,  any shares of common stock or any  securities  convertible  into or
exercisable  or  exchangeable  for  common  stock or (ii) enter into any swap or
other  arrangement  that  transfers to another,  in whole or in part, any of the
economic  consequences  of  ownership  of the  common  stock,  whether  any such
transaction  described  in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery
of common stock or such other  securities,  in cash or otherwise.  The foregoing
sentence shall not apply to (A) the sale of the Securities under this Agreement,
(B) the  issuance of Common Plan upon  conversion  of the  Securities  or other
debentures  outstanding  on the date hereof,  (C) the grant of any option or the
issuance  by the Company of any shares of common  stock upon the  exercise of an
option  outstanding  on the date hereof  pursuant to the  Company  stock  option
plans,  (D) the  issuance  of any shares of  restricted  stock  pursuant  to the
Company's  employees  incentive  plan or (E) the  issuance  of  Common  Plan as
consideration  for  acquisitions or the  contracting to do so; provided  however
that in no event shall the amount of Common Plan issued  pursuant to clause (E)
exceed 2% of the total  number of shares of Common Plan  outstanding  as at the
date hereof.

           3. Terms of  Offering.  You have advised the Company that the Initial
Purchasers  will make an offering  of the  Securities  purchased  by the Initial
Purchasers  hereunder on the terms to be set forth in the Final  Memorandum,  as
soon as practicable  after this Agreement is entered into as in your judgment is
advisable.
<PAGE>
           4. Payment and  Delivery.  Payment for the Firm  Securities  shall be
made to the Company in Federal or other funds immediately  available in New York
City against delivery of such Firm Securities for the respective accounts of the
several  Initial  Purchasers at 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on June 1, 1999,
or at such  other time on the same or such  other  date,  not later than June 8,
1999,  as shall  be  designated  in  writing  by you.  The time and date of such
payment are hereinafter referred to as the "CLOSING DATE."

         Payment for any Additional  Securities  shall be made to the Company in
Federal or other funds  immediately  available in New York City against delivery
of such Additional Securities for the respective accounts of the several Initial
Purchasers  at 10:00  a.m.,  New York City time,  on the date  specified  in the
notice described in Section 2 or at such other time on the same or on such other
date, in any event not later than July 9,1999, as shall be designated in writing
by you.  The time and date of such  payment are  hereinafter  referred to as the
"Option Closing Date."

         Certificates for the Firm Securities and Additional Securities shall be
in definitive form or global form, as specified by you and as required under the
terms of the Indenture,  and registered in such names and in such  denominations
as you shall  request in writing not later than one full  business  day prior to
the  Closing  Date  or  the  Option  Closing  Date,  as the  case  may  be.  The
certificates  evidencing the Firm Securities and Additional  Securities shall be
delivered to you on the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may
be, for the  respective  accounts of the several  Initial  Purchasers,  with any
transfer taxes payable in connection  with the transfer of the Securities to the
Initial  Purchasers  duly paid,  against  payment of the Purchase Price therefor
plus accrued interest, if any, to the date of payment and delivery.

           5.  Conditions to the Initial  Purchasers'  Obligations.  The several
obligations  of the  Initial  Purchasers  to  purchase  and  pay  for  the  Firm
Securities on the Closing Date are subject to the following conditions:

                  (a) Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement
         and  prior to the  Closing  Date,  there  shall not have  occurred  any
         change,  or any  development  involving a  prospective  change,  in the
         condition,  financial or  otherwise,  or in the  earnings,  business or
         operations of the Company and its subsidiaries,  taken as a whole, from
         that set forth in the Final Memorandum  (exclusive of any amendments or
         supplements  thereto subsequent to the date of this Agreement) that, in
         your  judgment,  is  material  and  adverse  and that makes it, in your
         judgment,  impracticable  to market the  Securities on the terms and in
         the manner contemplated in the Final Memorandum.

                  (b) The Initial  Purchasers shall have received on the Closing
         Date a  certificate,  dated the Closing Date and signed by an executive
         officer of the  Company,  to the effect  that the  representations  and
         warranties  of the Company  contained  in this  Agreement  are true and
         correct as of the Closing Date and that the Company has  complied  with
         all of the  agreements  and satisfied all of the conditions on its part
         to be performed or satisfied hereunder on or before the Closing Date.

                  (c) The Initial  Purchasers shall have received on the Closing
         Date an opinion of Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton,  outside counsel
         for the  Company,  dated the Closing  Date,  to the effect set forth in
         Exhibit A.

                  (d) The Initial  Purchasers  shall receive on the Closing Date
         an opinion of Nicholas J. Camera,  General  Counsel to the Company,  to
         the effect set forth in Exhibit B.

                  (e) The Initial  Purchasers shall have received on the Closing
         Date an opinion  of Davis  Polk &  Wardwell,  counsel  for the  Initial
<PAGE>
         Purchasers,  dated the Closing Date, to the effect set forth in Exhibit
         C.

                  (f) The Initial  Purchasers shall have received on each of the
         date hereof and the Closing Date a letter, dated the date hereof or the
         Closing Date, as the case may be, in form and substance satisfactory to
         the Initial Purchasers, from  PricewaterhouseCoopers  LLP., independent
         public accountants,  containing  statements and information of the type
         ordinarily  included in accountants'  "comfort letters" to underwriters
         with  respect  to  the  financial   statements  and  certain  financial
         information  contained  in  or  incorporated  by  reference  into  each
         Memorandum;  provided  that the letter  delivered  on the Closing  Date
         shall use a "cut-off date" not earlier than the date hereof.

                  (g) The "lock-up"  agreements,  each substantially in the form
         of Exhibit D hereto,  between you and Philip H. Geier,  Jr.,  Eugene P.
         Beard,  John J. Dooner,  Jr.,  Frank B. Lowe and Martin F. Puris of the
         Company  relating to sales and certain other  dispositions of shares of
         common stock or certain other securities, delivered to you on or before
         the date hereof, shall be in full force and effect on the Closing Date.

         The  several   obligations  of  the  Initial   Purchasers  to  purchase
Additional Securities hereunder are subject to the delivery to you on the Option
Closing Date of such documents as you may reasonably request with respect to the
good   standing  of  the  Company,   the  due   authorization,   execution   and
authentication  and  issuance of the  Additional  Securities  and other  matters
related  to  the  execution,  authentication  and  issuance  of  the  Additional
Securities.

           6.  Covenants  of  the  Company.  In  further  consideration  of  the
agreements of the Initial  Purchasers  contained in this Agreement,  the Company
covenants with each Initial Purchaser as follows:

                  (a) To furnish to you in New York City, without charge,  prior
         to 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the business day next succeeding the
         date of this Agreement and during the period mentioned in Section 6(c),
         as many copies of the Final Memorandum,  any documents  incorporated by
         reference therein and any supplements and amendments thereto as you may
         reasonably request.

                  (b) Before amending or  supplementing  either  Memorandum,  to
         furnish to you a copy of each such proposed amendment or supplement.

                  (c) If,  during such period after the date hereof and prior to
         the date on which  all of the  Securities  shall  have been sold by the
         Initial  Purchasers,  any event  shall  occur or  condition  exist as a
         result  of which it is  necessary  to amend  or  supplement  the  Final
         Memorandum in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
         circumstances  when the Final  Memorandum  is delivered to a purchaser,
         not  misleading,  or if, in the  opinion  of  counsel  for the  Initial
         Purchasers, it is necessary to amend or supplement the Final Memorandum
         to comply with applicable law, forthwith to prepare and furnish, at its
         own  expense,   to  the  Initial   Purchasers,   either  amendments  or
         supplements to the Final Memorandum so that the statements in the Final
         Memorandum as so amended or supplemented  will not, in the light of the
         circumstances when the Final Memorandum is delivered to a purchaser, be
         misleading or so that the Final Memorandum, as amended or supplemented,
         will comply with applicable law.

                  (d) To endeavor to qualify the  Securities  for offer and sale
         under  the  securities  or Blue Sky laws of such  jurisdictions  as you
         shall reasonably request.

<PAGE>
                  (e)  Whether  or not  the  transactions  contemplated  in this
         Agreement are  consummated or this  Agreement is terminated,  to pay or
         cause  to be paid  all  expenses  incident  to the  performance  of its
         obligations   under   this   Agreement,   including:   (i)  the   fees,
         disbursements  and expenses of the Company's  counsel and the Company's
         accountants in connection  with the issuance and sale of the Securities
         and all other fees or expenses in connection  with the  preparation  of
         each Memorandum and all amendments and supplements  thereto,  including
         all printing costs associated  therewith,  and the delivering of copies
         thereof to the  Initial  Purchasers,  in the  quantities  herein  above
         specified,  (ii) all costs and  expenses  related to the  transfer  and
         delivery of the  Securities  to the Initial  Purchasers,  including any
         transfer or other taxes payable thereon,  (iii) the cost of printing or
         producing  any Blue Sky or legal  investment  memorandum  in connection
         with the offer and sale of the Securities  under state  securities laws
         and all expenses in connection with the qualification of the Securities
         for offer and sale under state  securities  laws as provided in Section
         6(d)  hereof,  including  filing  fees  and  the  reasonable  fees  and
         disbursements of counsel for the Initial  Purchasers in connection with
         such  qualification  and in  connection  with  the  Blue  Sky or  legal
         investment memorandum, (iv) any fees charged by rating agencies for the
         rating of the Securities,  (v) the fees and expenses,  if any, incurred
         in  connection  with the  admission  of the  Securities  for trading in
         PORTAL or any appropriate market system,  (vi) the costs and charges of
         the Trustee and any transfer agent, registrar or depositary,  (vii) the
         cost of the  preparation,  issuance  and  delivery  of the  Securities,
         (viii) the costs and  expenses  of the  Company  relating  to  investor
         presentations  on any "road show"  undertaken  in  connection  with the
         marketing  of  the  offering  of  the  Securities,  including,  without
         limitation, expenses associated with the production of road show slides
         and  graphics,   fees  and  expenses  of  any  consultants  engaged  in
         connection with the road show  presentations with the prior approval of
         the Company,  travel and lodging  expenses of the  representatives  and
         officers  of  the  Company  (for  the  avoidance  of  doubt,  excluding
         transportation  and  lodging  expenses  of the  representatives  of the
         Initial  Purchasers)  and any  such  consultants,  and the  cost of any
         aircraft  chartered in connection with the road show and (ix) all other
         cost and  expenses of the Company  incident to the  performance  of the
         obligations  of  the  Company  hereunder  for  which  provision  is not
         otherwise made in this Section. It is understood,  however, that except
         as provided in this  Section 8, and the last  paragraph  of Section 10,
         the  Initial  Purchasers  will pay all of  their  costs  and  expenses,
         including  fees and  disbursements  of their  counsel,  transfer  taxes
         payable on resale of any of the Securities by them and any  advertising
         expenses connected with any offers they may make.

                  (f) Neither the Company nor any Affiliate will sell, offer for
         sale or solicit offers to buy or otherwise  negotiate in respect of any
         security (as defined in the  Securities  Act) which could be integrated
         with the sale of the  Securities  in a manner  which would  require the
         registration under the Securities Act of the Securities.

                  (g) Not to  solicit  any  offer  to buy or  offer  or sell the
         Securities or the Underlying Securities by means of any form of general
         solicitation  or  general  advertising  (as  those  terms  are  used in
         Regulation  D under the  Securities  Act) or in any manner  involving a
         public  offering  within the meaning of Section 4(2) of the  Securities
         Act.

                  (h) While any of the Securities or the  Underlying  Securities
         remain  "restricted  securities"  within the meaning of the  Securities
         Act, to make available,  upon request, to any seller of such Securities
         the information  specified in Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act,
<PAGE>
         unless  the  Company  is then  subject  to  Section  13 or 15(d) of the
         Exchange Act.

                  (i) If requested by you, to use its best efforts to permit the
         Securities to be designated  PORTAL  securities in accordance  with the
         rules and regulations adopted by the National Association of Securities
         Dealers, Inc. relating to trading in the PORTAL Market.

                  (j) During the period of two years after the  Closing  Date or
         the Option  Closing Date, if later,  the Company will not, and will not
         permit  any of its  affiliates  (as  defined  in Rule  144A  under  the
         Securities  Act) to  resell  any of the  Securities  or the  Underlying
         Securities which  constitute  "restricted  securities"  under Rule 144A
         that have been reacquired by any of them.

           7. Offering of  Securities;  Restrictions  on Transfer.  Each Initial
Purchaser,  severally and not jointly, represents and warrants that such Initial
Purchaser is a qualified  institutional  buyer as defined in Rule 144A under the
Securities  Act (a "QIB").  Each Initial  Purchaser,  severally and not jointly,
agrees  with the Company  that (i) it will not  solicit  offers for, or offer or
sell, such Securities by any form of general solicitation or general advertising
(as those terms are used in  Regulation  D under the  Securities  Act) or in any
manner  involving a public  offering  within the meaning of Section  4(2) of the
Securities  Act and (ii) it will solicit offers for such  Securities  only from,
and will offer such Securities  only to, persons that it reasonably  believes to
be (1) QIBs or (2) other institutional  accredited investors (as defined in Rule
501(a)(1),  (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act ("INSTITUTIONAL  ACCREDITED
INVESTORS")  that,  prior to their purchase of the  Securities,  deliver to such
Initial  Purchaser a letter  containing the  representations  and agreements set
forth in Annex A to the  Memorandum  that,  in each  case,  in  purchasing  such
Securities  are deemed to have  represented  and agreed as provided in the Final
Memorandum under the caption "Transfer Restrictions".

           8.  Indemnity and  Contribution.  (a) The Company agrees to indemnify
and hold harmless each Initial  Purchaser and each person,  if any, who controls
any Initial  Purchaser within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities
Act or Section  20 of the  Exchange  Act from and  against  any and all  losses,
claims,  damages and liabilities  (including,  without limitation,  any legal or
other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with defending or investigating
any such  action or claim)  caused by any untrue  statement  or  alleged  untrue
statement  of a material  fact  contained  in either  Memorandum  (as amended or
supplemented  if the Company shall have  furnished any amendments or supplements
thereto),  or caused by any  omission  or alleged  omission  to state  therein a
material  fact  necessary  to make the  statements  therein  in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made not misleading,  except insofar as such
losses,  claims,  damages or liabilities are caused by any such untrue statement
or omission or alleged  untrue  statement  or  omission  based upon  information
relating to any Initial  Purchaser  furnished  to the Company in writing by such
Initial Purchaser through you expressly for use therein; provided, however, that
the  indemnification  contained  in  this  paragraph  (a)  with  respect  to the
Preliminary  Memorandum shall not inure to the benefit of any Initial  Purchaser
(or to the benefit of any person  controlling such Initial Purchaser) on account
of any such loss, claim, damage, judgment, liability or expense arising from the
sale  of the  Notes  by such  Initial  Purchaser  to any  person  if the  untrue
statement  or alleged  untrue  statement  or omission  or alleged  omission of a
material fact contained in the Preliminary Memorandum was corrected in the Final
Memorandum and such Initial  Purchaser sold Notes to that person without sending
or giving at or prior to the written  confirmation  of such sale,  a copy of the
Final Memorandum (as then amended or supplemented) if the Company has previously
furnished sufficient copies thereof to such Initial Purchaser on a timely basis.

          (b) Each Initial  Purchaser  agrees,  severally  and not  jointly,  to
indemnify and hold harmless the Company,  its  directors,  its officers and each
<PAGE>
person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of either Section 15
of the  Securities  Act or Section 20 of the  Exchange Act to the same extent as
the foregoing  indemnity  from the Company to such Initial  Purchaser,  but only
with reference to information  relating to such Initial  Purchaser  furnished to
the Company in writing by such Initial  Purchaser  through you expressly for use
in either Memorandum or any amendments or supplements thereto.

          (c) In case any proceeding (including any governmental  investigation)
shall be instituted  involving  any person in respect of which  indemnity may be
sought pursuant to Section 8(a) or 8(b), such person (the  "INDEMNIFIED  PARTY")
shall promptly  notify the person against whom such indemnity may be sought (the
"INDEMNIFYING PARTY") in writing and the indemnifying party, upon request of the
indemnified  party,   shall  retain  counsel  reasonably   satisfactory  to  the
indemnified  party  to  represent  the  indemnified  party  and any  others  the
indemnifying  party may designate in such  proceeding and shall pay the fees and
disbursements  of  such  counsel  related  to  such  proceeding.   In  any  such
proceeding,  any  indemnified  party  shall  have the  right to  retain  its own
counsel,  but the fees and expenses of such  counsel  shall be at the expense of
such  indemnified  party unless (i) the  indemnifying  party and the indemnified
party shall have  mutually  agreed to the  retention of such counsel or (ii) the
named parties to any such proceeding  (including any impleaded  parties) include
both the indemnifying party and the indemnified party and representation of both
parties by the same counsel  would be  inappropriate  due to actual or potential
differing  interests between them. It is understood that the indemnifying  party
shall  not,  in  respect  of the  legal  expenses  of any  indemnified  party in
connection with any proceeding or related  proceedings in the same jurisdiction,
be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate  firm (in addition
to any local  counsel) for all such  indemnified  parties and that all such fees
and  expenses  shall be  reimbursed  as they are  incurred.  Such firm  shall be
designated  in  writing  by Morgan  Stanley & Co.  Incorporated,  in the case of
parties indemnified pursuant to Section 8(a), and by the Company, in the case of
parties  indemnified  pursuant to Section 8(b). The indemnifying party shall not
be liable for any  settlement  of any  proceeding  effected  without its written
consent,  but if settled with such  consent or if there be a final  judgment for
the plaintiff,  the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party
from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment.
Notwithstanding  the foregoing  sentence,  if at any time an  indemnified  party
shall have requested an indemnifying  party to reimburse the  indemnified  party
for fees and  expenses  of  counsel  as  contemplated  by the  second  and third
sentences  of this  paragraph,  the  indemnifying  party agrees that it shall be
liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent
if (i) such  settlement  is entered into more than 30 days after receipt by such
indemnifying  party of the aforesaid  request and (ii) such  indemnifying  party
shall not have reimbursed the indemnified  party in accordance with such request
prior to the date of such settlement.  No indemnifying party shall,  without the
prior written  consent of the  indemnified  party,  effect any settlement of any
pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party is or
could have been a party and indemnity  could have been sought  hereunder by such
indemnified party, unless such settlement  includes an unconditional  release of
such indemnified  party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter
of such proceeding.

          (d) To the extent the indemnification  provided for in Section 8(a) or
8(b) is unavailable to an indemnified  party or  insufficient  in respect of any
losses,   claims,   damages  or  liabilities  referred  to  therein,  then  each
indemnifying   party  under  such  paragraph,   in  lieu  of  indemnifying  such
indemnified party thereunder,  shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by
such  indemnified  party  as  a  result  of  such  losses,  claims,  damages  or
liabilities  (i) in such  proportion as is  appropriate  to reflect the relative
benefits  received by the Company on the one hand and the Initial  Purchasers on
the other hand from the  offering of the  Securities  or (ii) if the  allocation
provided by clause  8(d)(i) above is not  permitted by  applicable  law, in such
proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative  benefits referred
<PAGE>
to in clause 8(d)(i) above but also the relative fault of the Company on the one
hand and of the  Initial  Purchasers  on the other hand in  connection  with the
statements  or  omissions  that  resulted  in such  losses,  claims,  damages or
liabilities,  as  well  as any  other  relevant  equitable  considerations.  The
relative  benefits  received  by the  Company  on the one hand  and the  Initial
Purchasers on the other hand in connection  with the offering of the  Securities
shall be deemed to be in the same  respective  proportions  as the net  proceeds
from the offering of the Securities (before deducting  expenses) received by the
Company  and  the  total  discounts  and  commissions  received  by the  Initial
Purchasers,  in each  case as set  forth in the  Final  Memorandum,  bear to the
aggregate offering price of the Securities. The relative fault of the Company on
the one hand and of the Initial Purchasers on the other hand shall be determined
by  reference  to,  among other  things,  whether  the untrue or alleged  untrue
statement  of a material  fact or the  omission  or alleged  omission to state a
material fact relates to  information  supplied by the Company or by the Initial
Purchasers and the parties'  relative intent,  knowledge,  access to information
and  opportunity to correct or prevent such  statement or omission.  The Initial
Purchasers'  respective obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 8 are
several in proportion to the respective  aggregate  principal amount at maturity
of Securities they have purchased hereunder, and not joint.

          (e) The Company and the Initial  Purchasers agree that it would not be
just or equitable if contribution  pursuant to this Section 8 were determined by
pro rata allocation  (even if the Initial  Purchasers were treated as one entity
for such  purpose)  or by any  other  method  of  allocation  that does not take
account of the equitable  considerations referred to in Section 8(d). The amount
paid or  payable  by an  indemnified  party as a result of the  losses,  claims,
damages and liabilities  referred to in Section 8(d) shall be deemed to include,
subject  to the  limitations  set  forth  above,  any  legal or  other  expenses
reasonably  incurred by such indemnified party in connection with  investigating
or defending any such action or claim.  Notwithstanding  the  provisions of this
Section 8, no Initial  Purchaser  shall be required to contribute  any amount in
excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Securities  resold by
it in the initial placement of such Securities were offered to investors exceeds
the  amount of any  damages  that such  Initial  Purchaser  has  otherwise  been
required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission
or alleged omission.  No person guilty of fraudulent  misrepresentation  (within
the  meaning of  Section  11(f) of the  Securities  Act)  shall be  entitled  to
contribution   from  any  person   who  was  not   guilty  of  such   fraudulent
misrepresentation. The remedies provided for in this Section 8 are not exclusive
and shall not limit any rights or remedies  which may  otherwise be available to
any indemnified party at law or in equity.

          (f)  The  indemnity  and  contribution  provisions  contained  in this
Section  8 and the  representations,  warranties  and  other  statements  of the
Company contained in this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and
effect   regardless  of  (i)  any  termination  of  this  Agreement,   (ii)  any
investigation  made by or on  behalf  of any  Initial  Purchaser  or any  person
controlling  any  Initial  Purchaser  or by or on  behalf  of the  Company,  its
officers or directors or any person controlling the Company and (iii) acceptance
of and payment for any of the Securities.

           9.  Termination.  This  Agreement  shall be subject to termination by
notice given by you to the Company,  if (a) after the  execution and delivery of
this  Agreement and prior to the Closing Date (i) trading  generally  shall have
been  suspended or  materially  limited on or by, as the case may be, any of the
New York Plan Exchange,  the National Association of Securities Dealers,  Inc.,
the  Chicago  Board of Options  Exchange  or the  Chicago  Board of Trade,  (ii)
trading  of any  securities  of the  Company  shall have been  suspended  on any
exchange  or in any  over-the-counter  market,  (iii) a  general  moratorium  on
commercial  banking  activities  in New York shall have been  declared by either
Federal or New York State  authorities  or (iv) there  shall have  occurred  any
outbreak or escalation of hostilities or any change in financial  markets or any
<PAGE>
calamity or crisis that,  in your  judgment,  is material and adverse and (b) in
the case of any of the events  specified in clauses  9(a)(i)  through  9(a)(iv),
such  event,  singly or together  with any other such  event,  makes it, in your
judgment,  impracticable to market the Securities on the terms and in the manner
contemplated in the Final Memorandum.

          10. Effectiveness; Defaulting Initial Purchasers. This Agreement shall
become effective upon the execution and delivery hereof by the parties hereto.

         If, on the Closing  Date,  or the Option  Closing Date, as the case may
be, any one or more of the Initial  Purchasers  shall fail or refuse to purchase
Securities  that it or they have agreed to purchase  hereunder on such date, and
the aggregate  principal  amount at maturity of Securities which such defaulting
Initial Purchaser or Initial Purchasers agreed but failed or refused to purchase
is not more than  one-tenth  of the  aggregate  principal  amount at maturity of
Securities to be purchased on such date, the other Initial  Purchasers  shall be
obligated  severally in the proportions  that the aggregate  principal amount at
maturity  of Firm  Securities  set  forth  opposite  their  respective  names in
Schedule  I  bears  to the  aggregate  principal  amount  at  maturity  of  Firm
Securities  set  forth  opposite  the names of all such  non-defaulting  Initial
Purchasers,  or in such other  proportions  as you may specify,  to purchase the
Securities which such defaulting  Initial Purchaser or Initial Purchasers agreed
but failed or refused to purchase on such date;  provided that in no event shall
the  aggregate  principal  amount at  maturity  of  Securities  that any Initial
Purchaser  has  agreed to  purchase  pursuant  to this  Agreement  be  increased
pursuant  to this  Section  10 by an  amount  in  excess  of  one-ninth  of such
aggregate principal amount at maturity of Securities without the written consent
of such  Initial  Purchaser.  If, on the Closing  Date any Initial  Purchaser or
Initial  Purchasers shall fail or refuse to purchase Firm Securities which it or
they have agreed to purchase hereunder on such date and the aggregate  principal
amount at maturity of  Securities  with respect to which such default  occurs is
more than  one-tenth  of the  aggregate  principal  amount at  maturity  of Firm
Securities to be purchased on such date, and  arrangements  satisfactory  to you
and the Company for the purchase of such Firm  Securities are not made within 36
hours after such default,  this Agreement shall terminate  without  liability on
the part of any non-defaulting  Initial Purchaser or of the Company. In any such
case  either you or the  Company  shall have the right to  postpone  the Closing
Date,  but in no event for longer  than seven days,  in order that the  required
changes,  if  any,  in  the  Final  Memorandum  or in  any  other  documents  or
arrangements  may be  effected.  If, on the Option  Closing  Date,  any  Initial
Purchaser  or Initial  Purchasers  shall fail or refuse to  purchase  Additional
Securities  and  the  aggregate  principal  amount  at  maturity  of  Additional
Securities  with respect to which such default  occurs is more than one-tenth of
the  aggregate  principal  amount at maturity  of  Additional  Securities  to be
purchased,  the  non-defaulting  Initial Purchasers shall have the option to (a)
terminate their obligation  hereunder to purchase  Additional  Securities or (b)
purchase not less than the aggregate  principal amount at maturity of Additional
Securities that such non-defaulting Initial Purchasers would have been obligated
to  purchase  in the  absence  of such  default.  Any  action  taken  under this
paragraph shall not relieve any defaulting  Initial  Purchaser from liability in
respect of any default of such Initial Purchaser under this Agreement.

         If this Agreement shall be terminated by the Initial Purchasers, or any
of them,  because of any failure or refusal on the part of the Company to comply
with the terms or to fulfill any of the conditions of this Agreement,  or if for
any reason the  Company  shall be unable to perform its  obligations  under this
Agreement,  the Company will  reimburse  the Initial  Purchasers or such Initial
Purchasers  as have so terminated  this  Agreement  with respect to  themselves,
severally,  for all out-of-pocket expenses (including the fees and disbursements
of their counsel)  reasonably  incurred by such Initial Purchasers in connection
with this Agreement or the offering contemplated hereunder.


<PAGE>
          11.  Counterparts.  This  Agreement  may be  signed  in any  number of
counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the
signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

           12. Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York.

          13. Headings. The headings of the sections of this Agreement have been
inserted for  convenience  of  reference  only and shall not be deemed a part of
this Agreement.




                                            Very truly yours,

                                            THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF
                                            COMPANIES, INC.


                                            By:
                                               ---------------------------------
                                               Name:
                                               Title:




Accepted as of the date hereof


Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Salomon Smith Barney Inc.

Acting severally  on behalf of themselves  and the  several  Initial  Purchasers
      named in Schedule I hereto.

By:   Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated



By:
   -----------------------------------
   Name:
   Title:

















<PAGE>

                                                                SCHEDULE I



                                                    AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL
                                                   AMOUNT AT MATURITY OF
                                                   FIRM SECURITIES TO BE
         INITIAL PURCHASER                                PURCHASED
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------



Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated..........                   $219,100,000

Goldman, Sachs & Co........................                     46,950,000

Salomon Smith Barney Inc...................                     46,950,000
                                                   -----------------------
         Total:............................                   $313,000,000
                                                   =======================










































<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT A



                  OPINION OF CLEARY, GOTTLIEB, STEEN & HAMILTON

         The opinion of Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton,  outside counsel for
the Company,  to be delivered pursuant to Section 5(c) of the Purchase Agreement
shall be to the effect that, subject to such counsel's  standard  qualifications
and assumptions:

           A. The  Purchase  Agreement  has been  duly  authorized, executed and
delivered by the Company.

           B. The Securities  have been duly authorized by the Company and, when
executed and  authenticated  in accordance  with the provisions of the Indenture
and delivered to and paid for by the Initial  Purchasers in accordance  with the
terms of the Purchase  Agreement,  will be valid and binding  obligations of the
Company,  enforceable  in  accordance  with their terms,  subject to  applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and
general  principles  of equity,  and will be  entitled  to the  benefits  of the
Indenture  and  the  Registration   Rights  Agreement  pursuant  to  which  such
Securities are to be issued.

           C. Each of the Indenture and  Registration  Rights Agreement has been
duly authorized, executed and delivered by, and is a valid and binding agreement
of, the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and
general  principles  of equity  and  except as  rights  to  indemnification  and
contribution  under the  Registration  Rights  Agreement  may be  limited  under
applicable law.

           D. The Company is not,  and after  giving  effect to the offering and
sale of the Securities and the application of the proceeds  thereof as described
in the Final  Memorandum,  will not be an  "investment  company" as such term is
defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

           E.  The  statements  in  the  Final  Memorandum  under  the  captions
"Description  of the  Notes",  "Description  of  Capital  Plan --  Rights"  and
"Transfer  Restrictions",  insofar as such  statements  purport to summarize the
legal matters,  documents or proceedings  referred to therein,  fairly summarize
the matters referred to therein.

           F. The statements in the Final  Memorandum under the caption "Certain
Federal  Income  Tax  Considerations,"  insofar  as such  statements  purport to
summarize  federal laws of the United States  referred to therein,  constitute a
fair summary of the principal  United States federal  income tax  considerations
relating to a purchase of the Notes.

           G. Such counsel (i) is of the opinion that each document incorporated
by  reference  in the Final  Memorandum  (except for  financial  statements  and
schedules and other financial and statistical  data included therein as to which
such counsel need not express any opinion),  complied as to form when filed with
the Commission in all material  respects with the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations of the Commission  thereunder and (ii) has no reason to believe that
(except  for  financial   statements  and  schedules  and  other  financial  and
statistical data as to which such counsel need not express any belief) the Final
Memorandum  when issued  contained,  or as of the date such opinion is delivered
contains, any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to state a
material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

<PAGE>
           H. Based upon the  representations,  warranties and agreements of the
Company in Sections 1(n), 1(p), 6(f), and 6(g) of the Purchase  Agreement and of
the  Initial  Purchasers  in  Section  7 of the  Purchase  Agreement,  it is not
necessary in connection  with the offer,  sale and delivery of the Securities to
the Initial  Purchasers  under the Purchase  Agreement or in connection with the
initial resale of such  Securities by the Initial  Purchasers in accordance with
Section  7 of the  Purchase  Agreement  to  register  the  Securities  under the
Securities Act of 1933 or to qualify the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act
of 1939, it being  understood  that no opinion is expressed as to any subsequent
resale of any Security or Underlying Security.

         With  respect to  paragraph G above,  counsel may state that his or her
opinion and belief are based upon his or her participation in the preparation of
the Final Memorandum (and any amendments or supplements  thereto) and review and
discussion of the contents  thereof and review of the documents  incorporated by
reference therein,  but are without  independent check or verification except as
specified.












































                                      A-2

<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT B



                    OPINION OF GENERAL COUNSEL OF THE COMPANY

         The opinion of Nicholas J. Camera,  General Counsel for the Company, to
be delivered  pursuant to Section 5(d) of the Purchase Agreement shall be to the
effect, subject to such counsel's standard qualifications and assumptions that:

           A. The Company has been duly  incorporated,  is validly existing as a
corporation  in  good  standing  under  the  laws  of  the  jurisdiction  of its
incorporation,  has the corporate power and authority to own its property and to
conduct its business as described in the Final  Memorandum and is duly qualified
to transact  business and is in good standing in each  jurisdiction in which the
conduct of its business or its  ownership or leasing of property  requires  such
qualification, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or be in
good standing  would not have a material  adverse  effect on the Company and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

           B.  Each  wholly-owned  subsidiary  of  the  Company  has  been  duly
incorporated,  is validly  existing as a corporation  in good standing under the
laws of the  jurisdiction  of its  incorporation,  has the  corporate  power and
authority  to own its  property  and to conduct its business as described in the
Final  Memorandum  and is duly  qualified  to transact  business  and is in good
standing  in each  jurisdiction  in which the  conduct  of its  business  or its
ownership  or leasing of property  requires  such  qualification,  except to the
extent  that  the  failure  to be so  incorporated  or  qualified  or be in good
standing  would  not have a  material  adverse  effect  on the  Company  and its
subsidiaries,  taken as a whole;  all of the issued  shares of capital  stock of
each subsidiary of the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued,
are fully paid and non-assessable,  and are owned directly by the Company,  free
and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or claims.

           C. The  Purchase  Agreement  has been duly  authorized,  executed and
delivered by the Company.

           D. The authorized  capital stock of the Company  conforms as to legal
matters to the description thereof contained in the Final Memorandum.

           E. The shares of common  stock  outstanding  on the Closing Date have
been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

           F. The Securities  have been duly authorized by the Company and, when
executed and  authenticated  in accordance  with the provisions of the Indenture
and delivered to and paid for by the Initial  Purchasers in accordance  with the
terms of the Purchase  Agreement,  will be valid and binding  obligations of the
Company,  enforceable  in  accordance  with their terms,  subject to  applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and
general  principles  of equity,  and will be  entitled  to the  benefits  of the
Indenture  and  the  Registration   Rights  Agreement  pursuant  to  which  such
Securities are to be issued.

           G.  (1)  The  Underlying   Securities   reserved  for  issuance  upon
conversion of the  Securities  have been duly  authorized and reserved and, when
issued upon  conversion of the  Securities  in accordance  with the terms of the
Securities,  will be  validly  issued,  fully  paid and  non-assessable  and the
issuance of the Underlying  Securities  will not be subject to any preemptive or
similar  rights and (2) the Rights,  if any,  issuable  upon  conversion  of the
Securities  have been duly authorized and, when and if issued upon conversion in
accordance  with the terms of the Indenture and the Rights Plan,  will have been
validly issued.
<PAGE>

           H. Each of the Indenture and  Registration  Rights Agreement has been
duly authorized, executed and delivered by, and is a valid and binding agreement
of, the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and
general  principles  of equity  and  except as  rights  to  indemnification  and
contribution  under the  Registration  Rights  Agreement  may be  limited  under
applicable law.

           I. The execution and delivery by the Company of, and the  performance
by the Company of its obligations under, the Purchase Agreement,  the Indenture,
the  Registration  Rights  Agreement and the Securities  will not contravene any
provision of applicable law or the  certificate of  incorporation  or by-laws of
the Company or, to the best of such counsel's knowledge,  any agreement or other
instrument  binding upon the Company or any of its subsidiaries that is material
to the Company and its  subsidiaries,  taken as a whole, or, to the best of such
counsel's  knowledge,  any judgment,  order or decree of any governmental  body,
agency or court having  jurisdiction over the Company or any subsidiary,  and no
consent,  approval,  authorization  or order  of,  or  qualification  with,  any
governmental  body or agency is required for the  performance  by the Company of
its obligations under the Purchase  Agreement,  the Indenture,  the Registration
Rights  Agreement  or the  Securities,  except  such as may be  required  by the
securities or Blue Sky laws of the various  states in connection  with the offer
and sale of the Securities and by Federal and state securities laws with respect
to the Company's obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement.



































                                      B-2


<PAGE>

           J. After  due  inquiry,  such  counsel  does not know of any legal or
governmental  proceedings  pending or  threatened to which the Company or any of
its  subsidiaries is a party or to which any of the properties of the Company or
any of its subsidiaries is subject other than proceedings  fairly  summarized in
all material respects in the Final Memorandum and proceedings which such counsel
believes are not likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company and its
subsidiaries,  taken as a whole,  or on the power or ability  of the  Company to
perform  its  obligations  under the  Purchase  Agreement,  the  Indenture,  the
Registration   Rights   Agreement  or  the   Securities  or  to  consummate  the
transactions contemplated by the Final Memorandum.

           K. Such counsel (i) is of the opinion that each document incorporated
by  reference  in the Final  Memorandum  (except for  financial  statements  and
schedules and other financial and statistical  data included therein as to which
such counsel need not express any opinion),  complied as to form when filed with
the Commission in all material  respects with the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations of the Commission  thereunder and (ii) has no reason to believe that
(except  for  financial   statements  and  schedules  and  other  financial  and
statistical data as to which such counsel need not express any belief) the Final
Memorandum  when issued  contained,  or as of the date such opinion is delivered
contains, any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to state a
material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

         With  respect to  paragraph K above,  counsel may state that his or her
opinion and belief are based upon his or her participation in the preparation of
the Final Memorandum (and any amendments or supplements  thereto) and review and
discussion of the contents  thereof and review of the documents  incorporated by
reference therein,  but are without  independent check or verification except as
specified.






























                                      B-3

<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT C


                        OPINION OF DAVIS POLK & WARDWELL

         The  opinion of Davis  Polk &  Wardwell  to be  delivered  pursuant  to
Section 5(e) of the Purchase Agreement shall be to the effect that:

           A. The  Purchase  Agreement  has been duly  authorized,  executed and
delivered by the Company.

           B. The Securities  have been duly authorized by the Company and, when
executed and  authenticated  in accordance  with the provisions of the Indenture
and delivered to and paid for by the Initial  Purchasers in accordance  with the
terms of the Purchase  Agreement,  will be valid and binding  obligations of the
Company,  enforceable  in  accordance  with their terms,  subject to  applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and
general  principles  of equity,  and will be  entitled  to the  benefits  of the
Indenture  and  the  Registration   Rights  Agreement  pursuant  to  which  such
Securities are to be issued.

           C. The Underlying Securities reserved for issuance upon conversion of
the  Securities  have been duly  authorized  and reserved  and, when issued upon
conversion of the  Securities in  accordance  with the terms of the  Securities,
will be validly issued,  fully paid and non-assessable,  and the issuance of the
Underlying  Securities  will not be subject to any  preemptive or similar rights
and the Rights,  if any,  issuable upon  conversion of the Securities  have been
duly  authorized  and, when and if issued upon conversion in accordance with the
terms of the Indenture and the Rights Plan, will have been validly issued.

           D. Each of the Indenture and the  Registration  Rights  Agreement has
been duly  authorized,  executed  and  delivered  by, and is a valid and binding
agreement of, the Company,  enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to
applicable  bankruptcy,  insolvency or similar laws affecting  creditors' rights
generally   and   general   principles   of  equity  and  except  as  rights  to
indemnification  and contribution under the Registration Rights Agreement may be
limited under applicable law.

           E.  The  statements  in  the  Final  Memorandum  under  the  captions
"Description of the Notes", "Plan of Distribution" and "Transfer  Restrictions",
insofar as such statements constitute summaries of the legal matters,  documents
or proceedings  referred to therein,  fairly  summarize the matters  referred to
therein.



















<PAGE>


           F. Such counsel has no reason to believe  that (except for  financial
statements  and other  financial and  statistical  data as to which such counsel
need not express any belief) the Final Memorandum when issued  contained,  or as
of the date such  opinion  is  delivered  contains,  any untrue  statement  of a
material fact or omitted or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to
make the statements  therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading.

           G. Based upon the  representations,  warranties and agreements of the
Company in Sections 1(n), 1(p), 6(f), and 6(g) of the Purchase  Agreement and of
the  Initial  Purchasers  in  Section  7 of the  Purchase  Agreement,  it is not
necessary in connection  with the offer,  sale and delivery of the Securities to
the Initial  Purchasers  under the Purchase  Agreement or in connection with the
initial resale of such  Securities by the Initial  Purchasers in accordance with
Section  7 of the  Purchase  Agreement  to  register  the  Securities  under the
Securities Act of 1933 or to qualify the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act
of 1939, it being  understood  that no opinion is expressed as to any subsequent
resale of any Security or Underlying Security.

         With respect to paragraph F above, Davis Polk & Wardwell may state that
their opinion and belief are based upon their  participation  in the preparation
of the Final  Memorandum (and any amendments or supplements  thereto) and review
and  discussion  of the  contents  thereof  (including  the  review  of, but not
participation  in the  preparation  of,  the  incorporated  documents),  but are
without independent check or verification except as specified.


































                                      C-2

<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT D


                            [FORM OF LOCK-UP LETTER]


                                                 , 1999



Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Salomon Smith Barney Inc.
c/o  Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
     1585 Broadway
     New York, NY 10036

Dear Sirs and Mesdames:

         The  undersigned  understands  that Morgan  Stanley & Co.  Incorporated
("MORGAN  STANLEY")  proposes to enter into a Purchase  Agreement (the "PURCHASE
AGREEMENT")  with  The  Interpublic   Group  of  Companies,   Inc.,  a  Delaware
corporation (the "COMPANY"),  providing for the offering (the "OFFERING") by the
several Initial Purchasers, including Morgan Stanley (the "INITIAL PURCHASERS"),
of  $313,000,000  aggregate  principal  amount at maturity of 1.87%  Convertible
Subordinated  Notes due 2006 of the Company (the  "SECURITIES").  The Securities
will be convertible into shares of Common Plan of the Company,  par value $0.10
per share of the Company (the "COMMON STOCK").

         To induce the Initial  Purchasers  that may participate in the Offering
to continue  their efforts in  connection  with the  Offering,  the  undersigned
hereby  agrees  that,  without the prior  written  consent of Morgan  Stanley on
behalf of the Initial  Purchasers,  it will not, during the period commencing on
the  date  hereof  and  ending  90 days  after  the date of the  final  offering
memorandum relating to the Offering (the "FINAL MEMORANDUM"), (1) offer, pledge,
sell,  contract to sell,  sell any option or contract to purchase,  purchase any
option or contract  to sell,  grant any  option,  right or warrant to  purchase,
lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of
Common Plan or any securities  convertible  into or exercisable or exchangeable
for Common Plan or (2) enter into any swap or other  arrangement that transfers
to another,  in whole or in part, any of the economic  consequences of ownership
of the Common Plan, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2)
above is to be settled by delivery of Common Plan or such other securities,  in
cash or otherwise.  The foregoing  sentence shall not apply to (1)  transactions
relating to shares of Common Plan or other  securities  acquired in open market
transactions after the completion of the Offering, (2) sales of shares of Common
Plan, or options with respect thereto, to the Company,  (3) the exercise of any
options  with  respect to the Common  Plan and (4) the sale of shares of Common
Plan in order to pay any taxes  arising from any gains from the exercise of any
options with respect to the Common  Plan;  provided  that in no event shall the
aggregate amount of shares of Common Plan sold pursuant to clause (4) hereof by
the  undersigned  and the other  officers and  directors of the Company who have
signed similar  "lock-up"  agreements on the date hereof shall exceed 75,000. In
addition,  the  undersigned  agrees that,  without the prior written  consent of
Morgan  Stanley on behalf of the  Initial  Purchasers,  it will not,  during the
period  commencing  on the date  hereof and ending 90 days after the date of the
Final Memorandum, make any demand for or exercise any right with respect to, the
registration of any shares of Common Plan or any security  convertible  into or
exercisable or exchangeable for Common Plan.



<PAGE>
         Whether  or not the  Offering  actually  occurs  depends on a number of
factors, including market conditions. Any Offering will be made only pursuant to
a Purchase Agreement,  the terms of which are subject to negotiation between the
Company and the Initial Purchasers.

                                            Very truly yours,



                                            ------------------------------------
                                            (Name)


                                            ------------------------------------
                                            (Address)
















































<PAGE>
                                                                   Exhibit 10(e)

                    THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC.
             THE INTERPUBLIC OUTSIDE DIRECTORS' STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
                                  ("the Plan")

                             PLAN OPTION CERTIFICATE
          THIS DOCUMENT IS IMPORTANT AND SHOULD BE KEPT IN A SAFE PLACE
          -------------------------------------------------------------

THIS IS TO CERTIFY that, on the date shown below, an Option was granted, subject
to the Rules of the above-mentioned Plan, to the under-mentioned to subscribe at
the  Exercise  Price  stated  below the number of shares of Common  Plan of The
Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. specified below.

Grantee:  Name:   Frank J. Borelli

Date of Grant:    June 4, 1999

Number of shares of Common Plan subject to the Option:  2,000

Exercise Price per share:  $78.6563

Option Expiration Date:  June 4, 2009

The Option may not be exercised in any part until June 4, 2002.  Thereafter  the
Option shall be exercisable in its entirety.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF this Certificate was duly executed this 4th day of June, 1999
by THE INTERPUBLIC  GROUP OF COMPANIES,  INC. by the affixing of its common seal
in the presence of : -


                                 Senior Vice President  /s/ C. Kent Kroeber
                                                      --------------------------
                                                            C. Kent Kroeber


                                             Secretary  /s/ Nicholas J. Camera
                                                      --------------------------
                                                            Nicholas J. Camera



Grantee:
        -----------------------
              (Signature)















<PAGE>

                    THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC.

             The Interpublic Outside Directors' Plan Incentive Plan

                                    EXHIBIT A


                  OPTION CERTIFICATE between The Interpublic Group of Companies,
Inc.  (hereinafter  called "the  Corporation"),  and the  individual  whose name
appears  on  the  document  to  which  this  Option   Certificate   is  attached
(hereinafter  called the "Cover  Document"),  such  individual  being an Outside
Director of the Corporation (hereinafter called "the Grantee");

                  PURSUANT  TO and under all the  terms  and  conditions  of THE
INTERPUBLIC  OUTSIDE  DIRECTORS' STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN  (hereinafter  called "the
Plan"),  the Corporation offers the Grantee an opportunity to purchase shares of
the Common Plan of the Corporation on the following terms and conditions:

                  l. The Corporation  hereby  irrevocably  grants to the Grantee
the right and option  (hereinafter  called "the  Option")  to purchase  from the
Corporation  an  aggregate  of that number of shares of the Common  Plan of the
Corporation  shown on the Cover  Document in  accordance  with all the terms and
conditions of the Plan and this Agreement.

                  2. The  purchase  price of said  shares  is shown in the Cover
Document.  All issue and transfer taxes upon the sale of shares  pursuant to the
exercise  of all or any part of the  Option and all fees and  expenses  incident
thereto shall be paid by the Corporation.

                  3. The term of the  Option  shall be for a period of ten years
from the date as of which the Option is granted,  subject to earlier termination
as provided herein.

                  4. The Option may not be  exercised in any part until the date
on the Cover Document.

                  5. The Option when exercisable may be exercised at one time or
from time to time except that such  partial  exercise of the Option shall be for
50 shares or a multiple  thereof,  or for all the remaining  shares  thereunder,
whichever is the lesser.

                  6. The  purchase  price of the  shares as to which the  Option
shall be exercised shall be paid in full in cash at the time of the exercise. If
payment  is made by check or draft,  such check or draft must be drawn on a bank
located in the United States of America.

















<PAGE>



                  7. This Option is not  transferable  otherwise than by will or
by the laws of descent and  distribution.  During the  lifetime of the  Grantee,
this Option may be exercised only by the Grantee.

                  8. (a) Upon  Grantee's  cessation  of  service  as an  Outside
Director for any reason  (including  death) the Option,  if exercisable upon the
date of cessation of service, shall continue to be exercisable by the Grantee or
the Grantee's  legal  representatives,  heirs or  beneficiaries  for  thirty-six
months  following  cessation  of  service,  but in no event  shall the Option be
exercisable more than ten years from the date it was granted.

                      (b)  If the Option is not exercisable on the date on which
the Grantee ceases to serve as an  Outside  Director,  then the Option  shall be
forfeited.  If the Option is exercisable  and is not exercised in full before it
ceases to be exercisable in accordance with paragraph 3 hereof and the preceding
provisions  of this  paragraph 8, the Option shall, to the extent not previously
exercised, thereupon be forfeited.

             9. The  Grantee  shall not have  voting or  dividend  rights or any
other rights of a  stockholder  in respect of any shares of Common Plan covered
by this  Option  prior to the  time  that  his or her  name is  recorded  on the
stockholder  ledger of the  Corporation  as the holder of record of such  shares
acquired pursuant to an exercise of the Option.

             10.  Subject  to the terms and  conditions  of the Plan and of this
Agreement,  any exercise of this Option shall be by written notice  delivered to
the  Chief  Executive  Officer  or  the  Secretary  of the  Corporation,  at its
principal  office,  which  is now  located  at  1271  Avenue  of  the  Americas,
Rockefeller  Center,  New York, New York 10020.  Such written notice shall state
the election to exercise the Option and the number of shares in respect of which
it is being exercised and shall be signed by the person or persons so exercising
the Option.  Such notice shall be  accompanied  by payment of the full  purchase
price of said shares,  whereupon the Corporation  shall deliver a certificate or
certificates  representing said shares as soon as practicable.  Unless there has
been an effective registration of the securities offered under the Plan pursuant
to the  Securities  Act of 1933,  upon  exercise of the Option the Grantee shall
also  furnish a  statement  in writing  that the shares are being  acquired  for
investment purposes and not with a view to their sale or distribution.

             11. This Option shall not be treated as an incentive stock plan for
purposes of Section 422 of the Internal  Revenue  Code of 1986,  as amended from
time to time or any successor provision.

             12. All words and phrases  used herein  shall have the same meaning
as in the Plan, and all provisions,  terms and conditions of the Plan not herein
specifically set forth are incorporated herein by reference.

(6/4/99)












<PAGE>
                                                                   Exhibit 10(f)

                    THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC.
             THE INTERPUBLIC OUTSIDE DIRECTORS' STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
                                  ("the Plan")

                             PLAN OPTION CERTIFICATE
          THIS DOCUMENT IS IMPORTANT AND SHOULD BE KEPT IN A SAFE PLACE

THIS IS TO CERTIFY that, on the date shown below, an Option was granted, subject
to the Rules of the above-mentioned Plan, to the under-mentioned to subscribe at
the  Exercise  Price  stated  below the number of shares of Common  Plan of The
Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. specified below.

Grantee:  Name:   Reginald K. Brack

Date of Grant:    June 4, 1999

Number of shares of Common Plan subject to the Option:  2,000

Exercise Price per share:  $78.6563

Option Expiration Date:  June 4, 2009

The Option may not be exercised in any part until June 4, 2002.  Thereafter  the
Option shall be exercisable in its entirety.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF this Certificate was duly executed this 4th day of June, 1999
by THE INTERPUBLIC  GROUP OF COMPANIES,  INC. by the affixing of its common seal
in the presence of : -


                                 Senior Vice President  /s/ C. Kent Kroeber
                                                      --------------------------
                                                            C. Kent Kroeber


                                             Secretary  /s/ Nicholas J. Camera
                                                      --------------------------
                                                            Nicholas J. Camera



Grantee:
        -----------------------
              (Signature)
















<PAGE>
                    THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC.

             The Interpublic Outside Directors' Plan Incentive Plan

                                    EXHIBIT A


                  OPTION CERTIFICATE between The Interpublic Group of Companies,
Inc.  (hereinafter  called "the  Corporation"),  and the  individual  whose name
appears  on  the  document  to  which  this  Option   Certificate   is  attached
(hereinafter  called the "Cover  Document"),  such  individual  being an Outside
Director of the Corporation (hereinafter called "the Grantee");

                  PURSUANT  TO and under all the  terms  and  conditions  of THE
INTERPUBLIC  OUTSIDE  DIRECTORS' STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN  (hereinafter  called "the
Plan"),  the Corporation offers the Grantee an opportunity to purchase shares of
the Common Plan of the Corporation on the following terms and conditions:

                  l. The Corporation  hereby  irrevocably  grants to the Grantee
the right and option  (hereinafter  called "the  Option")  to purchase  from the
Corporation  an  aggregate  of that number of shares of the Common  Plan of the
Corporation  shown on the Cover  Document in  accordance  with all the terms and
conditions of the Plan and this Agreement.

                  2. The  purchase  price of said  shares  is shown in the Cover
Document.  All issue and transfer taxes upon the sale of shares  pursuant to the
exercise  of all or any part of the  Option and all fees and  expenses  incident
thereto shall be paid by the Corporation.

                  3. The term of the  Option  shall be for a period of ten years
from the date as of which the Option is granted,  subject to earlier termination
as provided herein.

                  4. The Option may not be  exercised in any part until the date
on the Cover Document.

                  5. The Option when exercisable may be exercised at one time or
from time to time except that such  partial  exercise of the Option shall be for
50 shares or a multiple  thereof,  or for all the remaining  shares  thereunder,
whichever is the lesser.

                  6. The  purchase  price of the  shares as to which the  Option
shall be exercised shall be paid in full in cash at the time of the exercise. If
payment  is made by check or draft,  such check or draft must be drawn on a bank
located in the United States of America.


















<PAGE>



                  7. This Option is not  transferable  otherwise than by will or
by the laws of descent and  distribution.  During the  lifetime of the  Grantee,
this Option may be exercised only by the Grantee.

                  8. (a) Upon  Grantee's  cessation  of  service  as an  Outside
Director for any reason  (including  death) the Option,  if exercisable upon the
date of cessation of service, shall continue to be exercisable by the Grantee or
the Grantee's  legal  representatives,  heirs or  beneficiaries  for  thirty-six
months  following  cessation  of  service,  but in no event  shall the Option be
exercisable more than ten years from the date it was granted.

                     (b) If the  Option is not exercisable on  the date on which
the Grantee ceases to serve as an Outside  Director,  then the  Option  shall be
forfeited.  If the Option is exercisable  and is not exercised in full before it
ceases  to  be  exercisable  in accordance  with  paragraph  3  hereof  and  the
preceding  provisions  of this paragraph 8, the Option shall, to the extent not
previously exercised, thereupon be forfeited.

             9. The  Grantee  shall not have  voting or  dividend  rights or any
other rights of a  stockholder  in respect of any shares of Common Plan covered
by this  Option  prior to the  time  that  his or her  name is  recorded  on the
stockholder  ledger of the  Corporation  as the holder of record of such  shares
acquired pursuant to an exercise of the Option.

             10.  Subject  to the terms and  conditions  of the Plan and of this
Agreement,  any exercise of this Option shall be by written notice  delivered to
the  Chief  Executive  Officer  or  the  Secretary  of the  Corporation,  at its
principal  office,  which  is now  located  at  1271  Avenue  of  the  Americas,
Rockefeller  Center,  New York, New York 10020.  Such written notice shall state
the election to exercise the Option and the number of shares in respect of which
it is being exercised and shall be signed by the person or persons so exercising
the Option.  Such notice shall be  accompanied  by payment of the full  purchase
price of said shares,  whereupon the Corporation  shall deliver a certificate or
certificates  representing said shares as soon as practicable.  Unless there has
been an effective registration of the securities offered under the Plan pursuant
to the  Securities  Act of 1933,  upon  exercise of the Option the Grantee shall
also  furnish a  statement  in writing  that the shares are being  acquired  for
investment purposes and not with a view to their sale or distribution.

             11. This Option shall not be treated as an incentive stock plan for
purposes of Section 422 of the Internal  Revenue  Code of 1986,  as amended from
time to time or any successor provision.

             12. All words and phrases  used herein  shall have the same meaning
as in the Plan, and all provisions,  terms and conditions of the Plan not herein
specifically set forth are incorporated herein by reference.

(6/4/99)












<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10(g)

                    THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC.
             THE INTERPUBLIC OUTSIDE DIRECTORS' STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
                                  ("the Plan")

                             PLAN OPTION CERTIFICATE
          THIS DOCUMENT IS IMPORTANT AND SHOULD BE KEPT IN A SAFE PLACE

THIS IS TO CERTIFY that, on the date shown below, an Option was granted, subject
to the Rules of the above-mentioned Plan, to the under-mentioned to subscribe at
the  Exercise  Price  stated  below the number of shares of Common  Plan of The
Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. specified below.

Grantee:  Name:   Jill M. Considine

Date of Grant:    June 4, 1999

Number of shares of Common Plan subject to the Option:  2,000

Exercise Price per share:  $78.6563

Option Expiration Date:  June 4, 2009

The Option may not be exercised in any part until June 4, 2002.  Thereafter  the
Option shall be exercisable in its entirety.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF this Certificate was duly executed this 4th day of June, 1999
by THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. by  the affixing of  its common seal
in the presence of : -


                                 Senior Vice President  /s/ C. Kent Kroeber
                                                      --------------------------
                                                            C. Kent Kroeber


                                             Secretary  /s/ Nicholas J. Camera
                                                      --------------------------
                                                            Nicholas J. Camera



Grantee:
        -----------------------
              (Signature)
















<PAGE>
                    THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC.

             The Interpublic Outside Directors' Plan Incentive Plan

                                    EXHIBIT A


                  OPTION CERTIFICATE between The Interpublic Group of Companies,
Inc.  (hereinafter  called "the  Corporation"),  and the  individual  whose name
appears  on  the  document  to  which  this  Option   Certificate   is  attached
(hereinafter  called the "Cover  Document"),  such  individual  being an Outside
Director of the Corporation (hereinafter called "the Grantee");

                  PURSUANT  TO and under all the  terms  and  conditions  of THE
INTERPUBLIC  OUTSIDE  DIRECTORS' STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN  (hereinafter  called "the
Plan"),  the Corporation offers the Grantee an opportunity to purchase shares of
the Common Plan of the Corporation on the following terms and conditions:

                  l. The Corporation  hereby  irrevocably  grants to the Grantee
the right and option  (hereinafter  called "the  Option")  to purchase  from the
Corporation  an  aggregate  of that number of shares of the Common  Plan of the
Corporation  shown on the Cover  Document in  accordance  with all the terms and
conditions of the Plan and this Agreement.

                  2. The  purchase  price of said  shares  is shown in the Cover
Document.  All issue and transfer taxes upon the sale of shares  pursuant to the
exercise  of all or any part of the  Option and all fees and  expenses  incident
thereto shall be paid by the Corporation.

                  3. The term of the  Option  shall be for a period of ten years
from the date as of which the Option is granted,  subject to earlier termination
as provided herein.

                  4. The Option may not be  exercised in any part until the date
on the Cover Document.

                  5. The Option when exercisable may be exercised at one time or
from time to time except that such  partial  exercise of the Option shall be for
50 shares or a multiple  thereof,  or for all the remaining  shares  thereunder,
whichever is the lesser.

                  6. The  purchase  price of the  shares as to which the  Option
shall be exercised shall be paid in full in cash at the time of the exercise. If
payment  is made by check or draft,  such check or draft must be drawn on a bank
located in the United States of America.


















<PAGE>



                  7. This Option is not  transferable  otherwise than by will or
by the laws of descent and  distribution.  During the  lifetime of the  Grantee,
this Option may be exercised only by the Grantee.

                  8. (a) Upon  Grantee's  cessation  of  service  as an  Outside
Director for any reason  (including  death) the Option,  if exercisable upon the
date of cessation of service, shall continue to be exercisable by the Grantee or
the Grantee's  legal  representatives,  heirs or  beneficiaries  for  thirty-six
months  following  cessation  of  service,  but in no event  shall the Option be
exercisable more than ten years from the date it was granted.

                     (b) If  the Option is not exercisable on the  date on which
the Grantee  ceases to serve as an Outside  Director,  then the Option  shall be
forfeited.  If the Option is exercisable  and is not exercised in full before it
ceases to be exercisable in accordance with paragraph 3 hereof and the preceding
provisions of this  paragraph 8, the Option shall,  to the extent not previously
exercised, thereupon be forfeited.

             9. The  Grantee  shall not have  voting or  dividend  rights or any
other rights of a  stockholder  in respect of any shares of Common Plan covered
by this  Option  prior to the  time  that  his or her  name is  recorded  on the
stockholder  ledger of the  Corporation  as the holder of record of such  shares
acquired pursuant to an exercise of the Option.

             10.  Subject  to the terms and  conditions  of the Plan and of this
Agreement,  any exercise of this Option shall be by written notice  delivered to
the  Chief  Executive  Officer  or  the  Secretary  of the  Corporation,  at its
principal  office,  which  is now  located  at  1271  Avenue  of  the  Americas,
Rockefeller  Center,  New York, New York 10020.  Such written notice shall state
the election to exercise the Option and the number of shares in respect of which
it is being exercised and shall be signed by the person or persons so exercising
the Option.  Such notice shall be  accompanied  by payment of the full  purchase
price of said shares,  whereupon the Corporation  shall deliver a certificate or
certificates  representing said shares as soon as practicable.  Unless there has
been an effective registration of the securities offered under the Plan pursuant
to the  Securities  Act of 1933,  upon  exercise of the Option the Grantee shall
also  furnish a  statement  in writing  that the shares are being  acquired  for
investment purposes and not with a view to their sale or distribution.

             11. This Option shall not be treated as an incentive stock plan for
purposes of Section 422 of the Internal  Revenue  Code of 1986,  as amended from
time to time or any successor provision.

             12. All words and phrases  used herein  shall have the same meaning
as in the Plan, and all provisions,  terms and conditions of the Plan not herein
specifically set forth are incorporated herein by reference.

(6/4/99)












<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10(h)

                    THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC.
             THE INTERPUBLIC OUTSIDE DIRECTORS' STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
                                  ("the Plan")

                             PLAN OPTION CERTIFICATE
          THIS DOCUMENT IS IMPORTANT AND SHOULD BE KEPT IN A SAFE PLACE

THIS IS TO CERTIFY that, on the date shown below, an Option was granted, subject
to the Rules of the above-mentioned Plan, to the under-mentioned to subscribe at
the  Exercise  Price  stated  below the number of shares of Common  Plan of The
Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. specified below.

Grantee:  Name:   Leif H. Olsen

Date of Grant:    June 4, 1999

Number of shares of Common Plan subject to the Option:  2,000

Exercise Price per share:  $78.6563

Option Expiration Date:  June 4, 2009

The Option may not be exercised in any part until June 4, 2002.  Thereafter  the
Option shall be exercisable in its entirety.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF this Certificate was duly executed this 4th day of June, 1999
by THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. by the  affixing of its  common seal
in the presence of : -


                                 Senior Vice President  /s/ C. Kent Kroeber
                                                      --------------------------
                                                            C. Kent Kroeber


                                             Secretary  /s/ Nicholas J. Camera
                                                      --------------------------
                                                            Nicholas J. Camera



Grantee:
        -----------------------
              (Signature)















<PAGE>
                    THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC.

             The Interpublic Outside Directors' Plan Incentive Plan

                                    EXHIBIT A


                  OPTION CERTIFICATE between The Interpublic Group of Companies,
Inc.  (hereinafter  called "the  Corporation"),  and the  individual  whose name
appears  on  the  document  to  which  this  Option   Certificate   is  attached
(hereinafter  called the "Cover  Document"),  such  individual  being an Outside
Director of the Corporation (hereinafter called "the Grantee");

                  PURSUANT  TO and under all the  terms  and  conditions  of THE
INTERPUBLIC  OUTSIDE  DIRECTORS' STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN  (hereinafter  called "the
Plan"),  the Corporation offers the Grantee an opportunity to purchase shares of
the Common Plan of the Corporation on the following terms and conditions:

                  l. The Corporation  hereby  irrevocably  grants to the Grantee
the right and option  (hereinafter  called "the  Option")  to purchase  from the
Corporation  an  aggregate  of that number of shares of the Common  Plan of the
Corporation  shown on the Cover  Document in  accordance  with all the terms and
conditions of the Plan and this Agreement.

                  2. The  purchase  price of said  shares  is shown in the Cover
Document.  All issue and transfer taxes upon the sale of shares  pursuant to the
exercise  of all or any part of the  Option and all fees and  expenses  incident
thereto shall be paid by the Corporation.

                  3. The term of the  Option  shall be for a period of ten years
from the date as of which the Option is granted,  subject to earlier termination
as provided herein.

                  4. The Option may not be  exercised in any part until the date
on the Cover Document.

                  5. The Option when exercisable may be exercised at one time or
from time to time except that such  partial  exercise of the Option shall be for
50 shares or a multiple  thereof,  or for all the remaining  shares  thereunder,
whichever is the lesser.

                  6. The  purchase  price of the  shares as to which the  Option
shall be exercised shall be paid in full in cash at the time of the exercise. If
payment  is made by check or draft,  such check or draft must be drawn on a bank
located in the United States of America.


















<PAGE>



                  7. This Option is not  transferable  otherwise than by will or
by the laws of descent and  distribution.  During the  lifetime of the  Grantee,
this Option may be exercised only by the Grantee.

                  8. (a) Upon  Grantee's  cessation  of  service  as an  Outside
Director for any reason  (including  death) the Option,  if exercisable upon the
date of cessation of service, shall continue to be exercisable by the Grantee or
the Grantee's  legal  representatives,  heirs or  beneficiaries  for  thirty-six
months  following  cessation  of  service,  but in no event  shall the Option be
exercisable more than ten years from the date it was granted.

                     (b) If the Option is not exercisable on the date  on  which
the Grantee  ceases to serve as an Outside  Director,  then the Option  shall be
forfeited.  If the Option is exercisable  and is not exercised in full before it
ceases to be exercisable in accordance with paragraph 3 hereof and the preceding
provisions of this  paragraph 8, the Option shall,  to the extent not previously
exercised, thereupon be forfeited.

             9. The  Grantee  shall not have  voting or  dividend  rights or any
other rights of a  stockholder  in respect of any shares of Common Plan covered
by this  Option  prior to the  time  that  his or her  name is  recorded  on the
stockholder  ledger of the  Corporation  as the holder of record of such  shares
acquired pursuant to an exercise of the Option.

             10.  Subject  to the terms and  conditions  of the Plan and of this
Agreement,  any exercise of this Option shall be by written notice  delivered to
the  Chief  Executive  Officer  or  the  Secretary  of the  Corporation,  at its
principal  office,  which  is now  located  at  1271  Avenue  of  the  Americas,
Rockefeller  Center,  New York, New York 10020.  Such written notice shall state
the election to exercise the Option and the number of shares in respect of which
it is being exercised and shall be signed by the person or persons so exercising
the Option.  Such notice shall be  accompanied  by payment of the full  purchase
price of said shares,  whereupon the Corporation  shall deliver a certificate or
certificates  representing said shares as soon as practicable.  Unless there has
been an effective registration of the securities offered under the Plan pursuant
to the  Securities  Act of 1933,  upon  exercise of the Option the Grantee shall
also  furnish a  statement  in writing  that the shares are being  acquired  for
investment purposes and not with a view to their sale or distribution.

             11. This Option shall not be treated as an incentive stock plan for
purposes of Section 422 of the Internal  Revenue  Code of 1986,  as amended from
time to time or any successor provision.

             12. All words and phrases  used herein  shall have the same meaning
as in the Plan, and all provisions,  terms and conditions of the Plan not herein
specifically set forth are incorporated herein by reference.

(6/4/99)












<PAGE>
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10(i)

                    THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC.
             THE INTERPUBLIC OUTSIDE DIRECTORS' STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
                                  ("the Plan")

                             PLAN OPTION CERTIFICATE
          THIS DOCUMENT IS IMPORTANT AND SHOULD BE KEPT IN A SAFE PLACE

THIS IS TO CERTIFY that, on the date shown below, an Option was granted, subject
to the Rules of the above-mentioned Plan, to the under-mentioned to subscribe at
the  Exercise  Price  stated  below the number of shares of Common  Plan of The
Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. specified below.

Grantee:  Name:   Allen Questrom

Date of Grant:    June 4, 1999

Number of shares of Common Plan subject to the Option:  2,000

Exercise Price per share:  $78.6563

Option Expiration Date:  June 4, 2009

The Option may not be exercised in any part until June 4, 2002.  Thereafter  the
Option shall be exercisable in its entirety.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF this Certificate was duly executed this 4th day of June, 1999
by THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. by  the  affixing of its common seal
in the presence of : -


                                 Senior Vice President  /s/ C. Kent Kroeber
                                                      --------------------------
                                                            C. Kent Kroeber


                                             Secretary  /s/ Nicholas J. Camera
                                                      --------------------------
                                                            Nicholas J. Camera



Grantee:
        -----------------------
              (Signature)
















<PAGE>

                    THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC.

             The Interpublic Outside Directors' Plan Incentive Plan

                                    EXHIBIT A


                  OPTION CERTIFICATE between The Interpublic Group of Companies,
Inc.  (hereinafter  called "the  Corporation"),  and the  individual  whose name
appears  on  the  document  to  which  this  Option   Certificate   is  attached
(hereinafter  called the "Cover  Document"),  such  individual  being an Outside
Director of the Corporation (hereinafter called "the Grantee");

                  PURSUANT  TO and under all the  terms  and  conditions  of THE
INTERPUBLIC  OUTSIDE  DIRECTORS' STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN  (hereinafter  called "the
Plan"),  the Corporation offers the Grantee an opportunity to purchase shares of
the Common Plan of the Corporation on the following terms and conditions:

                  l. The Corporation  hereby  irrevocably  grants to the Grantee
the right and option  (hereinafter  called "the  Option")  to purchase  from the
Corporation  an  aggregate  of that number of shares of the Common  Plan of the
Corporation  shown on the Cover  Document in  accordance  with all the terms and
conditions of the Plan and this Agreement.

                  2. The  purchase  price of said  shares  is shown in the Cover
Document.  All issue and transfer taxes upon the sale of shares  pursuant to the
exercise  of all or any part of the  Option and all fees and  expenses  incident
thereto shall be paid by the Corporation.

                  3. The term of the  Option  shall be for a period of ten years
from the date as of which the Option is granted,  subject to earlier termination
as provided herein.

                  4. The Option may not be  exercised in any part until the date
on the Cover Document.

                  5. The Option when exercisable may be exercised at one time or
from time to time except that such  partial  exercise of the Option shall be for
50 shares or a multiple  thereof,  or for all the remaining  shares  thereunder,
whichever is the lesser.

                  6. The  purchase  price of the  shares as to which the  Option
shall be exercised shall be paid in full in cash at the time of the exercise. If
payment  is made by check or draft,  such check or draft must be drawn on a bank
located in the United States of America.

















<PAGE>



                  7. This Option is not  transferable  otherwise than by will or
by the laws of descent and  distribution.  During the  lifetime of the  Grantee,
this Option may be exercised only by the Grantee.

                  8. (a) Upon  Grantee's  cessation  of  service  as an  Outside
Director for any reason  (including  death) the Option,  if exercisable upon the
date of cessation of service, shall continue to be exercisable by the Grantee or
the Grantee's  legal  representatives,  heirs or  beneficiaries  for  thirty-six
months  following  cessation  of  service,  but in no event  shall the Option be
exercisable more than ten years from the date it was granted.

                      (b) If the Option is not  exercisable on the date on which
the Grantee ceases to serve as an Outside Director,
then the Option  shall be  forfeited.  If the Option is  exercisable  and is not
exercised  in full  before  it  ceases  to be  exercisable  in  accordance  with
paragraph 3 hereof and the preceding  provisions of this paragraph 8, the Option
shall, to the extent not previously exercised, thereupon be forfeited.

             9. The  Grantee  shall not have  voting or  dividend  rights or any
other rights of a  stockholder  in respect of any shares of Common Plan covered
by this  Option  prior to the  time  that  his or her  name is  recorded  on the
stockholder  ledger of the  Corporation  as the holder of record of such  shares
acquired pursuant to an exercise of the Option.

             10.  Subject  to the terms and  conditions  of the Plan and of this
Agreement,  any exercise of this Option shall be by written notice  delivered to
the  Chief  Executive  Officer  or  the  Secretary  of the  Corporation,  at its
principal  office,  which  is now  located  at  1271  Avenue  of  the  Americas,
Rockefeller  Center,  New York, New York 10020.  Such written notice shall state
the election to exercise the Option and the number of shares in respect of which
it is being exercised and shall be signed by the person or persons so exercising
the Option.  Such notice shall be  accompanied  by payment of the full  purchase
price of said shares,  whereupon the Corporation  shall deliver a certificate or
certificates  representing said shares as soon as practicable.  Unless there has
been an effective registration of the securities offered under the Plan pursuant
to the  Securities  Act of 1933,  upon  exercise of the Option the Grantee shall
also  furnish a  statement  in writing  that the shares are being  acquired  for
investment purposes and not with a view to their sale or distribution.

             11. This Option shall not be treated as an incentive stock plan for
purposes of Section 422 of the Internal  Revenue  Code of 1986,  as amended from
time to time or any successor provision.

             12. All words and phrases  used herein  shall have the same meaning
as in the Plan, and all provisions,  terms and conditions of the Plan not herein
specifically set forth are incorporated herein by reference.

(6/4/99)












<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10(j)

                    THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC.
             THE INTERPUBLIC OUTSIDE DIRECTORS' STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
                                  ("the Plan")

                             PLAN OPTION CERTIFICATE
          THIS DOCUMENT IS IMPORTANT AND SHOULD BE KEPT IN A SAFE PLACE

THIS IS TO CERTIFY that, on the date shown below, an Option was granted, subject
to the Rules of the above-mentioned Plan, to the under-mentioned to subscribe at
the  Exercise  Price  stated  below the number of shares of Common  Plan of The
Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. specified below.

Grantee:  Name:   J. Phillip Samper

Date of Grant:    June 4, 1999

Number of shares of Common Plan subject to the Option:  2,000

Exercise Price per share:  $78.6563

Option Expiration Date:  June 4, 2009

The Option may not be exercised in any part until June 4, 2002.  Thereafter  the
Option shall be exercisable in its entirety.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF this Certificate was duly executed this 4th day of June, 1999
by THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. by the affixing of its  common  seal
in the presence of : -


                                 Senior Vice President  /s/ C. Kent Kroeber
                                                      --------------------------
                                                            C. Kent Kroeber


                                             Secretary  /s/ Nicholas J. Camera
                                                      --------------------------
                                                            Nicholas J. Camera



Grantee:
        -----------------------
              (Signature)















<PAGE>

                    THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC.

             The Interpublic Outside Directors' Plan Incentive Plan

                                    EXHIBIT A


                  OPTION CERTIFICATE between The Interpublic Group of Companies,
Inc.  (hereinafter  called "the  Corporation"),  and the  individual  whose name
appears  on  the  document  to  which  this  Option   Certificate   is  attached
(hereinafter  called the "Cover  Document"),  such  individual  being an Outside
Director of the Corporation (hereinafter called "the Grantee");

                  PURSUANT  TO and under all the  terms  and  conditions  of THE
INTERPUBLIC  OUTSIDE  DIRECTORS' STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN  (hereinafter  called "the
Plan"),  the Corporation offers the Grantee an opportunity to purchase shares of
the Common Plan of the Corporation on the following terms and conditions:

                  l. The Corporation  hereby  irrevocably  grants to the Grantee
the right and option  (hereinafter  called "the  Option")  to purchase  from the
Corporation  an  aggregate  of that number of shares of the Common  Plan of the
Corporation  shown on the Cover  Document in  accordance  with all the terms and
conditions of the Plan and this Agreement.

                  2. The  purchase  price of said  shares  is shown in the Cover
Document.  All issue and transfer taxes upon the sale of shares  pursuant to the
exercise  of all or any part of the  Option and all fees and  expenses  incident
thereto shall be paid by the Corporation.

                  3. The term of the  Option  shall be for a period of ten years
from the date as of which the Option is granted,  subject to earlier termination
as provided herein.

                  4. The Option may not be  exercised in any part until the date
on the Cover Document.

                  5. The Option when exercisable may be exercised at one time or
from time to time except that such  partial  exercise of the Option shall be for
50 shares or a multiple  thereof,  or for all the remaining  shares  thereunder,
whichever is the lesser.

                  6. The  purchase  price of the  shares as to which the  Option
shall be exercised shall be paid in full in cash at the time of the exercise. If
payment  is made by check or draft,  such check or draft must be drawn on a bank
located in the United States of America.

















<PAGE>



                  7. This Option is not  transferable  otherwise than by will or
by the laws of descent and  distribution.  During the  lifetime of the  Grantee,
this Option may be exercised only by the Grantee.

                  8. (a) Upon  Grantee's  cessation  of  service  as an  Outside
Director for any reason  (including  death) the Option,  if exercisable upon the
date of cessation of service, shall continue to be exercisable by the Grantee or
the Grantee's  legal  representatives,  heirs or  beneficiaries  for  thirty-six
months  following  cessation  of  service,  but in no event  shall the Option be
exercisable more than ten years from the date it was granted.

                     (b)  If the Option is not exercisable on the date on  which
the Grantee ceases to serve as an Outside Director, then  the  Option  shall  be
forfeited.  If the Option is exercisable and is not exercised in  full before it
ceases to be exercisable in accordance with paragraph 3 hereof and the preceding
provisions of this paragraph 8, the Option  shall, to the  extent not previously
exercised, thereupon be forfeited.

             9. The  Grantee  shall not have  voting or  dividend  rights or any
other rights of a  stockholder  in respect of any shares of Common Plan covered
by this  Option  prior to the  time  that  his or her  name is  recorded  on the
stockholder  ledger of the  Corporation  as the holder of record of such  shares
acquired pursuant to an exercise of the Option.

             10.  Subject  to the terms and  conditions  of the Plan and of this
Agreement,  any exercise of this Option shall be by written notice  delivered to
the  Chief  Executive  Officer  or  the  Secretary  of the  Corporation,  at its
principal  office,  which  is now  located  at  1271  Avenue  of  the  Americas,
Rockefeller  Center,  New York, New York 10020.  Such written notice shall state
the election to exercise the Option and the number of shares in respect of which
it is being exercised and shall be signed by the person or persons so exercising
the Option.  Such notice shall be  accompanied  by payment of the full  purchase
price of said shares,  whereupon the Corporation  shall deliver a certificate or
certificates  representing said shares as soon as practicable.  Unless there has
been an effective registration of the securities offered under the Plan pursuant
to the  Securities  Act of 1933,  upon  exercise of the Option the Grantee shall
also  furnish a  statement  in writing  that the shares are being  acquired  for
investment purposes and not with a view to their sale or distribution.

             11. This Option shall not be treated as an incentive stock plan for
purposes of Section 422 of the Internal  Revenue  Code of 1986,  as amended from
time to time or any successor provision.

             12. All words and phrases  used herein  shall have the same meaning
as in the Plan, and all provisions,  terms and conditions of the Plan not herein
specifically set forth are incorporated herein by reference.

(6/4/99)













                                                                      EXHIBIT 11

      THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
                   COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE
              (Dollars in Thousands Except Per Share Data)

                                                     Three Months Ended June 30
                                                     ---------------------------
Basic                                                   1999          1998<F1>
                                                    ------------    ------------
Net income                                          $    139,409    $    118,511

Weighted average number of common shares
  outstanding                                        273,862,855     271,437,338

Earnings per common and
  common equivalent share                           $        .51    $        .44
                                                    ============    ============


                                                     Three Months Ended June 30
                                                    ----------------------------
Diluted                                                 1999           1998<F1>
                                                    ------------    ------------

Net income                                          $    139,409    $    118,511
Add:
After tax savings on assumed conversion
  of subordinated debentures and notes                     2,813           2,132
Dividends paid net of related income tax
  applicable to restricted stock                             160             153
                                                    ------------    ------------
Net income, as adjusted                             $    142,382    $    120,796
                                                    ============    ============
Weighted average number of common shares
  outstanding                                        273,862,855     271,437,338
Weighted average number of incremental shares
  in connection with restricted stock
  and assumed exercise of stock options               10,302,720      10,820,290
Assumed conversion of subordinated
  debentures and notes                                 8,812,792       6,697,942
                                                    ------------    ------------
        Total                                        292,978,367     288,955,570
                                                    ============    ============
Earnings per common and common equivalent
  share                                             $        .49    $        .42
                                                    ============    ============

<F1> All share data adjusted to reflect  two-for-one  stock split effective July
     15, 1999.






<PAGE>

          THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
                        COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE
                  (Dollars in Thousands Except Per Share Data)

                                                       Six Months Ended June 30
                                                      --------------------------
Basic                                                      1999       1998 <F1>
                                                      -----------    -----------
Net income                                            $   184,194    $   156,250

Weighted average number of common shares
  outstanding                                         273,198,358    270,905,717

Earnings per common share                             $       .67    $       .58
                                                      ===========    ===========


                                                       Six Months Ended June 30
                                                      --------------------------
Diluted                                                    1999       1998 <F1>
                                                      -----------    -----------

Net income                                            $   184,194    $   156,250
Add:
After tax interest savings on assumed
  conversion of subordinated debentures and notes           3,898              -
Dividends paid net of related income tax
  applicable to restricted stock                              303            276
                                                      -----------    -----------
Net income, as adjusted                               $   188,395    $   156,526
                                                      ===========    ===========
Weighted average number of common shares
  outstanding                                         273,198,358    270,905,717
Weighted average number of incremental shares
  in connection with restricted stock
  and assumed exercise of stock options                10,559,202     10,453,915
Assumed conversion of subordinated
  debentures and notes                                  6,693,000         10,641
                                                      -----------    -----------
        Total                                         290,450,560    281,370,273
                                                      ===========    ===========
Earnings per common and common equivalent share       $       .65    $       .56
                                                      ===========    ===========

Note:  The  computation  of diluted EPS for 1999 and 1998  excludes  the assumed
conversion of the 1.87% and 1.8% Convertible  Subordinated  Notes, respectively,
because they were anti-dilutive.

<F1> All share data adjusted to reflect  two-for-one  stock split effective July
     15, 1999.












<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL  INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE BALANCE
SHEET AND THE INCOME  STATEMENT AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH  FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS.  THE EPS PRIMARY  NUMBER  BELOW  REFLECTS THE BASIC
EARNINGS PER SHARE AS REQUIRED BY FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NUMBER 128.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>  1,000

<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999           DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999           JUN-30-1998
<CASH>                                         853,027               638,991
<SECURITIES>                                    46,386                55,575
<RECEIVABLES>                                3,981,285             3,391,757
<ALLOWANCES>                                    46,466                47,189
<INVENTORY>                                          0                     0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             5,373,234             4,522,967
<PP&E>                                         755,711               683,356
<DEPRECIATION>                                 438,550               391,763
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               7,689,347             6,452,587
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        4,986,991             4,360,594
<BONDS>                                        511,447               202,558
                                0                     0
                                          0                     0
<COMMON>                                        29,518                14,483
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,344,000             1,125,192
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 7,689,347             6,452,587
<SALES>                                              0                     0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,059,513             1,863,425
<CGS>                                                0                     0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,733,743             1,587,881
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              30,443                27,365
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                325,770               275,544
<INCOME-TAX>                                   132,495               112,163
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            184,194               156,250
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                     0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                     0
<CHANGES>                                            0                     0
<NET-INCOME>                                   184,194               156,250
<EPS-BASIC>                                      .67                   .58
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .65                   .56


</TABLE>


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