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OMNICOM GROUP INC. - 10-Q - Management's Discussion And Analysis Of Financial Condition And Results Of Operations
[October 21, 2014]

OMNICOM GROUP INC. - 10-Q - Management's Discussion And Analysis Of Financial Condition And Results Of Operations


(Edgar Glimpses Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) TERMINATION OF BUSINESS COMBINATION AGREEMENT On May 8, 2014, the Company and Publicis Groupe S.A., or Publicis, entered into a termination agreement, or Termination Agreement, under which the Company and Publicis mutually agreed to terminate their proposed merger in view of difficulties in completing the transaction within a reasonable timeframe.



Under the Termination Agreement, the Company and Publicis mutually consented to terminate their Business Combination Agreement, dated July 27, 2013, or Business Combination Agreement, governing the proposed combination of the parties' respective businesses, and mutually agreed to release each other from all claims, obligations and liabilities arising out of, in connection with or relating to the Business Combination Agreement. The Termination Agreement provided that no termination fee was payable by either party.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY We are a strategic holding company. We provide professional services to clients through multiple agencies around the world. On a global, pan-regional and local basis, our agencies provide these services in the following disciplines: advertising, customer relationship management, or CRM, public relations and specialty communications. Our business model was built and continues to evolve around our clients. While our agencies operate under different names and frame their ideas in different disciplines, we organize our services around our clients. The fundamental premise of our business is that our clients' specific requirements should be the central focus in how we deliver our services and allocate our resources. This client-centric business model results in multiple agencies collaborating in formal and informal virtual networks that cut across internal organizational structures to deliver consistent brand messages for a specific client and execute against each of our clients' specific marketing requirements. We continually seek to grow our business with our existing clients by maintaining our client-centric approach, as well as expanding our existing business relationships into new markets and with new clients. In addition, we pursue selective acquisitions of complementary companies with strong entrepreneurial management teams that typically currently serve or have the ability to serve our existing client base.


As a leading global advertising, marketing and corporate communications company, we operate in all major markets around the world and have a large and diverse client base. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, our largest client accounted for 2.7% of our revenue and no other client accounted for more than 2.5% of our revenue. Our top 100 clients accounted for approximately 51% of our revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Our business is spread across a number of industry sectors with no one industry comprising more than 14% of our revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Although our revenue is generally balanced between the United States and international markets and we have a large and diverse client base, we are not immune to general economic downturns.

As described in more detail below, in the first nine months of 2014 our revenue increased 5.7% compared to the first nine months of 2013. Revenue increased in the United States and Europe, which was favorably impacted by the weakening of the U.S. Dollar against the British Pound and Euro. Revenue increased moderately in most other markets, but the rate of growth was partially offset by the strengthening of the U.S. Dollar against most currencies in those markets.

Global economic conditions have a direct impact on our business and financial performance. In particular, current global economic conditions pose a risk that our clients may reduce future spending on advertising and marketing services which could reduce the demand for our services. In the first nine months of 2014, the United States experienced modest economic growth and the major economies of Asia and Latin America continued to expand. While economic conditions in the Euro Zone began to stabilize in the second half of 2013, the continuing fiscal issues faced by many countries in the European Union have caused economic difficulty in certain of our Euro Zone markets. We will continue to closely monitor economic conditions, client revenue levels and other factors and, in response to reductions in our client revenue, if necessary, we will take actions available to us to align our cost structure and manage working capital.

There can be no assurance whether, or to what extent, our efforts to mitigate any impact of future economic conditions, reductions in our client revenue, changes in client creditworthiness and other developments will be effective.

Certain business trends have had a positive impact on our business and industry.

These trends include our clients increasingly expanding the focus of their brand strategies from national markets to pan-regional and global markets and integrating traditional and non-traditional marketing channels, as well as utilizing new communications technologies and emerging digital platforms.

Additionally, in an effort to gain greater efficiency and effectiveness from their total marketing budgets, clients continue to require greater coordination of marketing activities. We believe these trends have benefited our business in the past and over the medium and long term will continue to provide a competitive advantage to us.

14 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the near term, barring unforeseen events and excluding the impact from changes in foreign exchange rates, as a result of continued improvement in operating performance by many of our agencies and new business activities, we expect our 2014 revenue to increase modestly in excess of the weighted average nominal GDP growth in our major markets. We expect to continue to identify acquisition opportunities intended to build upon the core capabilities of our strategic business platforms, expand our operations in the emerging markets and enhance our capabilities to leverage new technologies that are being used by marketers today.

Given our size and breadth, we manage our business by monitoring several financial indicators. The key indicators that we focus on are revenue and operating expenses. We analyze revenue growth by reviewing the components and mix of the growth, including growth by principal regional market, growth by marketing discipline, impact from foreign currency fluctuations, growth from acquisitions and growth from our largest clients. In recent years, our revenue has been divided almost evenly between our domestic and international operations.

For the quarter ended September 30, 2014, our revenue increased 7.4% compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2013. Changes in foreign exchange rates increased revenue 0.4%, acquisitions net of dispositions increased revenue 0.5% and organic growth increased revenue 6.5%. Across our principal regional markets, revenue increased 8.6% in North America, 5.8% in Europe and 5.2% in Asia and Latin America. The revenue increase in Europe was the result of growth in the U.K. and the weakening of the U.S. Dollar against the British Pound.

Revenue increased in Asia and Latin America, compared to 2013. The change in revenue in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the third quarter of 2013 in our four fundamental disciplines was: advertising increased 13.1%, CRM increased 2.4%, public relations increased 3.3% and specialty communications increased 1.2%.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, our revenue increased 5.7% compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2013. Changes in foreign exchange rates increased revenue 0.2%, acquisitions net of dispositions reduced revenue 0.1% and organic growth increased revenue 5.6%. Across our principal regional markets, revenue increased 6.0% in North America, 6.7% in Europe and 2.1% in Asia and Latin America. The revenue increase in Europe was the result of strong growth in the U.K. Russia and Spain, offset by reductions in several countries in the Euro Zone and the weakening of the U.S. Dollar against the British Pound and Euro. Revenue increased in Asia and Latin America, compared to 2013, but the rate of growth was negatively impacted by the strengthening of the U.S. Dollar against most currencies in those markets. The change in revenue in the first nine months of 2014 compared to the first nine months of 2013 in our four fundamental disciplines was: advertising increased 9.0%, CRM increased 3.2%, public relations increased 3.9% and specialty communications decreased 1.9%.

We measure operating expenses in two distinct cost categories: salary and service costs and office and general expenses. Salary and service costs consist of employee compensation and related costs and direct service costs. Office and general expenses consist of rent and occupancy costs, technology costs, depreciation and amortization and other overhead expenses. Each of our agencies requires professionals with the skill sets that are common across our disciplines. At the core of the skill sets is the ability to understand a client's brand or product and its selling proposition and the ability to develop a unique message to communicate the value of the brand or product to the client's target audience. The facility requirements of our agencies are also similar across geographic regions and disciplines, and their technology requirements are generally limited to personal computers, servers and off-the-shelf software. Because we are a service business, we monitor salary and service costs and office and general costs in relation to revenue.

Salary and service costs tend to fluctuate in conjunction with changes in revenue. In the third quarter of 2014, salary and service costs increased $228.0 million compared to the third quarter of 2013 and in the first nine months of 2014, salary and service costs increased $497.4 million compared to the first nine months of 2013.

Office and general expenses are less directly linked to changes in our revenue than salary and service costs. In the third quarter of 2014, office and general expenses decreased $23.1 million compared to the third quarter of 2013 and in the first nine months of 2014, office and general expenses increased $8.4 million compared to the first nine months of 2013.

In the first nine months of 2014 and 2013, we incurred $8.8 million and $28.1 million, respectively, of expenses in connection with the proposed merger with Publicis, which were primarily comprised of professional fees. On May 8, 2014, the proposed merger with Publicis was terminated.

Operating margins increased to 11.6% in third quarter of 2014 from 10.9% in third quarter of 2013 and operating margins increased to 12.3% for the first nine months of 2014 from 12.1% in 2013. Excluding the merger expenses of $8.8 million and $28.1 million, respectively, operating margins for the first nine months of 2014 decreased sightly to 12.3% from 12.4% in 2013.

15 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the third quarter of 2014, net interest expense decreased to $31.4 million from $42.8 million in the third quarter of 2013 and in the first nine months of 2014, net interest expense decreased to $104.1 million from $124.6 million in the first nine months of 2013. Interest expense decreased $8.3 million to $42.2 million in the third quarter of 2014 and interest expense decreased $13.4 million to $135.4 million in the first nine months of 2014. The decrease in interest expense primarily resulted from the interest rate swaps on the 3.625% Senior Notes due May 1, 2022, or 2022 Notes, entered into on May 1, 2014.

For the third quarter of 2014, our effective tax rate decreased to 33.4%, compared to 34.5% for the third quarter of 2013 and for the first nine months of 2014 our effective tax rate decreased to 32.6%, compared to 33.8% for the first nine months of 2013. Income taxes for the first nine months of 2014 and 2013 reflect the recognition of an income tax benefit of $11.4 million and $6.4 million, respectively, related to expenses incurred in connection with the proposed merger with Publicis. Prior to the termination of the proposed merger on May 8, 2014, the majority of the merger costs were capitalized for income tax purposes and the related tax benefits were not recorded. Because the proposed merger was terminated, the merger costs were no longer required to be capitalized for income tax purposes. Excluding the income tax effect of the merger expenses, income taxes for the first nine months of 2014 and 2013 were was $422.3 million and $395.3 million, respectively.

Net income - Omnicom Group Inc. in the third quarter of 2014 increased $47.8 million, or 24.4%, to $243.8 million from $196.0 million in the third quarter of 2013 and net income - Omnicom Group Inc. in the first nine months of 2014 increased $83.8 million, or 12.1%, to $774.5 million from $690.7 million in the first nine months of 2013. The period-over-period increase is due to the factors described above. Diluted net income per common share - Omnicom Group Inc.

increased 28.4% to $0.95 in the third quarter of 2014, compared to $0.74 in the third quarter of 2013 and diluted net income per common share - Omnicom Group Inc. increased 14.3% to $2.95 for the first nine months of 2014, compared to $2.58 for the first nine months of 2013 due to the factors described above, as well as the impact of the reduction in our weighted average common shares outstanding. The reduction in our weighted average common shares outstanding was the result of repurchases of our common stock, net of shares issued for the conversion of the Convertible Notes due July 31, 2032, or 2032 Notes, stock option exercises and shares issued under our employee stock purchase plan.

Beginning in the second quarter of 2014, after the termination of the proposed merger with Publicis, we resumed repurchases of our common stock in the open market. Excluding the after-tax effect of the merger expenses, net income - Omnicom Group Inc. for the first nine months of 2014 and 2013 was $771.9 million and $712.4 million, respectively, and diluted net income per common share - Omnicom Group Inc. was $2.94 and $2.66, respectively.

16 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - Third Quarter 2014 Compared to Third Quarter 2013 (in millions): 2014 2013 Revenue $ 3,749.6 $ 3,490.5 Operating Expenses: Salary and service costs 2,813.2 2,585.2 Office and general expenses 502.8 525.9 Total Operating Expenses 3,316.0 3,111.1 Add back: Amortization of intangible assets 26.9 25.8 3,289.1 3,085.3 Earnings before interest, taxes and amortization of intangible assets ("EBITA") 460.5 405.2 EBITA Margin - % 12.3 % 11.6 % Deduct: Amortization of intangible assets 26.9 25.8 Operating Income 433.6 379.4 Operating Margin - % 11.6 % 10.9 % Interest Expense 42.2 50.5 Interest Income 10.8 7.7Income Before Income Taxes and Income From Equity Method Investments 402.2 336.6 Income Tax Expense 134.4 116.2 Income From Equity Method Investments 5.8 4.3 Net Income 273.6 224.7 Net Income Attributed To Noncontrolling Interests (29.8 ) (28.7 ) Net Income - Omnicom Group Inc. $ 243.8 $ 196.0 In the third quarter of 2013, we incurred $28.1 million of expenses in connection with the proposed merger with Publicis, which were primarily comprised of professional fees. On May 8, 2014, the proposed merger with Publicis was terminated. Excluding the merger expenses, operating income and operating margin for the third quarter of 2013 were $407.5 million and 11.7%, respectively and EBITA and EBITA margin for the third quarter of 2013 were $433.3 million and 12.4%, respectively. Excluding the income tax effect of the merger expenses of $6.4 million, income tax expense for the third quarter of 2013 was $122.6 million and excluding the after-tax effect of the merger expenses, net income - Omnicom Group Inc. for the third quarter of 2013 was $217.7 million.

EBITA, which we define as earnings before interest, taxes and amortization of intangible assets, and EBITA Margin, which we define as EBITA divided by Revenue, are Non-GAAP financial measures. We use EBITA and EBITA Margin as additional operating performance measures, which exclude the non-cash amortization expense of acquired intangible assets. The table above reconciles EBITA and EBITA Margin to the U.S. GAAP financial measure of Operating Income for the periods presented. We believe that EBITA and EBITA Margin are useful measures to evaluate the performance of our businesses. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation from or as a substitute for financial information presented in compliance with U.S. GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures reported by us may not be comparable to similarly titled amounts reported by other companies.

Revenue In the third quarter of 2014, revenue increased $259.1 million, or 7.4%, to $3,749.6 million from $3,490.5 million in the third quarter of 2013. Changes in foreign exchange rates increased revenue $13.2 million, acquisitions net of dispositions increased revenue $19.6 million and organic growth increased revenue $226.3 million.

The components of the third quarter of 2014 revenue change in the United States ("Domestic") and the remainder of the world ("International") were (in millions): Total Domestic International $ % $ % $ % Quarter ended September 30, 2013 $ 3,490.5 $ 1,815.5 $ 1,675.0 Components of revenue change: Foreign exchange impact 13.2 0.4 % - - % 13.2 0.8 % Acquisitions, net of dispositions 19.6 0.5 % (1.6 ) (0.1 )% 21.2 1.3 % Organic growth 226.3 6.5 % 182.4 10.1 % 43.9 2.6 % Quarter ended September 30, 2014 $ 3,749.6 7.4 % $ 1,996.3 10.0 % $ 1,753.3 4.7 % 17 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------The components and percentages are calculated as follows: • The foreign exchange impact is calculated by first converting the current period's local currency revenue using the average exchange rates from the equivalent prior period to arrive at a constant currency revenue (in this case $3,736.4 million for the Total column). The foreign exchange impact equals the difference between the current period revenue in U.S. Dollars and the current period revenue in constant currency ($3,749.6 million less $3,736.4 million for the Total column).

• The acquisition component is calculated by aggregating the applicable prior period revenue of the acquired businesses, less revenue of any business included in the prior period revenue that was disposed of subsequent to the period.

• Organic growth is calculated by subtracting both the foreign exchange and acquisition components from total revenue growth.

• The percentage change is calculated by dividing the individual component amount by the prior period revenue base of that component ($3,490.5 million for the Total column).

For the third quarter of 2014, changes in foreign exchange rates increased revenue 0.4%, or $13.2 million, compared to the third quarter of 2013. The most significant impacts resulted from the weakening of the U.S. Dollar against the British Pound, partially offset by the strengthening of the U.S. Dollar against the Canadian Dollar, Japanese Yen and Russian Rouble.

Assuming exchange rates at October 15, 2014 remain unchanged, we expect foreign exchange impacts to reduce revenue in the fourth quarter of 2014 by approximately 2%.

Revenue for the third quarter 2014 and the percentage change in revenue and organic growth from the third quarter of 2013 in our principal regional markets were (in millions): Revenue % Change % Organic Growth Americas: North America $ 2,124.4 8.6 % 8.9 % Latin America 102.6 5.1 % 2.5 % EMEA: Europe 1,053.5 5.8 % 2.2 % Middle East and Africa 63.8 16.3 % 18.1 % Asia Pacific 405.3 5.2 % 4.4 % $ 3,749.6 7.4 % 6.5 % In the normal course of business, our agencies both gain and lose business from clients each year due to a variety of factors. The net change through the first nine months of 2014 was an overall gain in new business. Under our client-centric approach, we seek to broaden our relationships with all of our clients. Revenue from our largest client represented 2.7% and 3.1% of our revenue for the third quarter of 2014 and 2013, respectively. No other client represented more than 2.5% and 2.7% of revenue for the third quarter of 2014 and 2013, respectively. Our ten largest and 100 largest clients represented 18.3% and 50.7% of our revenue for the third quarter of 2014, respectively, and 20.1% and 53.0% of our revenue for the third quarter of 2013, respectively.

Driven by our clients' continuous demand for more effective and efficient marketing activities, we strive to provide an extensive range of advertising, marketing and corporate communications services through various client-centric networks that are organized to meet specific client objectives. These services include advertising, brand consultancy, corporate social responsibility consulting, crisis communications, custom publishing, data analytics, database management, direct marketing, entertainment marketing, environmental design, experiential marketing, field marketing, financial/corporate business-to-business advertising, interactive marketing, marketing research, media planning and buying, mobile marketing, multi-cultural marketing, non-profit marketing, public affairs, public relations, reputation consulting, retail marketing, search engine marketing, social media marketing and sports and event marketing. In an effort to monitor the changing needs of our clients and to further expand the scope of our services to key clients, we monitor revenue across a broad range of disciplines and group them into the following four categories: advertising, CRM, public relations and specialty communications.

18 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Revenue for the third quarter of 2014 and 2013 and the percentage change in revenue and organic growth from the third quarter of 2013 by discipline were (in millions): Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 2013 2014 vs. 2013 % of % of % $ Revenue $ Revenue $ Change % Organic Growth Advertising $ 1,853.3 49.4 % $ 1,638.3 46.9 % $ 215.0 13.1 % 12.5 % CRM 1,306.7 34.8 % 1,276.5 36.6 % 30.2 2.4 % 1.0 % Public relations 343.3 9.2 % 332.4 9.5 % 10.9 3.3 % 2.5 % Specialty communications 246.3 6.6 % 243.3 7.0 % 3.0 1.2 % (0.1 )% $ 3,749.6 $ 3,490.5 $ 259.1 7.4 % 6.5 % We operate in a number of industry sectors. The percentage of our revenue by industry sector for the third quarter of 2014 and 2013 was: Industry 2014 2013 Food and Beverage 13.1 % 13.7 % Consumer Products 9.7 % 9.7 % Pharmaceuticals and Health Care 9.6 % 10.4 % Financial Services 7.0 % 7.5 % Technology 8.9 % 9.2 % Auto 8.1 % 8.7 % Travel and Entertainment 6.2 % 5.3 % Telecommunications 5.3 % 6.7 % Retail 6.5 % 6.3 % Other 25.6 % 22.5 % Looking ahead to the remainder of the year, barring unforeseen events and excluding the impact from changes in foreign exchange rates, as a result of continued strong operating performance by many of our agencies and new business activities, we expect our revenue to increase modestly in excess of the weighted average nominal GDP growth in our major markets.

Operating Expenses Operating expenses for the third quarter of 2014 compared to the third quarter of 2013 were (in millions): Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 2013 2014 vs. 2013 % of % of % Total % Total of Operating of Operating $ % $ Revenue Expenses $ Revenue Expenses Change Change Revenue $ 3,749.6 $ 3,490.5 $ 259.1 7.4 % Operating Expenses: Salary and service costs 2,813.2 75.0 % 84.8 % 2,585.2 74.0 % 83.1 % 228.0 8.8 % Office and general expenses 502.8 13.4 % 15.2 % 525.9 15.1 % 16.9 % (23.1 ) (4.4 )% Operating Expenses 3,316.0 88.4 % 3,111.1 89.1 % 204.9 6.6 % Operating Income $ 433.6 11.6 % $ 379.4 10.9 % $ 54.2 14.3 % Salary and service costs tend to fluctuate in conjunction with changes in revenue. Salary and service costs increased $228.0 million in the third quarter of 2014, compared to the third quarter of 2013 reflecting growth in revenue and increases related to changes in the mix of our business during the period, including increased use of freelance labor.

19 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Office and general expenses are less directly linked to changes in our revenue than salary and service costs. Office and general expenses decreased $23.1 million in the third quarter of 2014, compared to the third quarter of 2013.

In the third quarter of 2013, we incurred $28.1 million of expenses in connection with the proposed merger with Publicis, which were primarily comprised of professional fees. On May 8, 2014, the proposed merger with Publicis was terminated. Excluding the merger expenses in the third quarter of 2013, office and general expenses for the third quarter of 2014 increased $5.0 million compared to the third quarter of 2013, but decreased as a percentage of revenue reflecting our continuing efforts to control the cost structures of our agencies.

Operating income for the third quarter of 2014 increased 14.3%, compared to the third quarter of 2013. Operating margins increased to 11.6% in 2014 from 10.9% in 2013 and EBITA margins increased to 12.3% in the third quarter of 2014 from 11.6% in the third quarter of 2013. Excluding the merger expenses of $28.1 million, operating margin and EBITA margin for the third quarter of 2013 were 11.7% and 12.4%, respectively.

Net Interest Expense Net interest expense decreased to $31.4 million in the third quarter of 2014, compared to $42.8 million in the third quarter of 2013. Interest expense decreased $8.3 million to $42.2 million. The reduction in interest expense is primarily a result of the interest rate swaps on the 2022 Notes. Interest income increased $3.1 million in the third quarter of 2014.

Income Taxes Our effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2014 decreased to 33.4%, compared to 34.5% for the third quarter of 2013. Excluding the income tax effect of the merger expenses of $6.4 million related to expenses expenses incurred with the proposed merger with Publicis, income taxes for the third quarter of 2013 were $122.6 million. On May 8, 2014, the proposed merger with Publicis was terminated.

Net Income Per Common Share - Omnicom Group Inc.

Net income - Omnicom Group Inc. for the third quarter of 2014 increased $47.8 million, or 24.4%, to $243.8 million, compared to $196.0 million in the third quarter of 2013. The period-over-period increase is due to the factors described above. Diluted net income per common share - Omnicom Group Inc. increased 28.4% to $0.95 in the third quarter of 2014 compared to $0.74 in the third quarter of 2013 due to the factors described above, as well as the impact of the reduction in our weighted average common shares outstanding. The reduction in our weighted average common shares outstanding was the result of repurchases of our common stock, net of shares issued for the conversion of the 2032 Notes in the third quarter of 2014, stock option exercises and shares issued under our employee stock purchase plan. Beginning in the second quarter of 2014, after the termination of the proposed merger with Publicis, we resumed repurchases of our common stock in the open market. Excluding the after-tax effect of the merger expenses, net income - Omnicom Group Inc. for the third quarter of 2013 was $217.7 million and diluted net income per common share - Omnicom Group Inc. was $0.82.

20 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - First Nine Months of 2014 Compared to First Nine Months of 2013 (in millions): 2014 2013 Revenue $ 11,122.7 $ 10,526.4 Operating Expenses: Salary and service costs 8,230.7 7,733.3 Office and general expenses 1,527.3 1,518.9 Total Operating Expenses 9,758.0 9,252.2 Add back: Amortization of intangible assets 77.1 76.3 9,680.9 9,175.9 Earnings before interest, taxes and amortization of intangible assets ("EBITA") 1,441.8 1,350.5 EBITA Margin - % 13.0 % 12.8 % Deduct: Amortization of intangible assets 77.1 76.3 Operating Income 1,364.7 1,274.2 Operating Margin - % 12.3 % 12.1 % Interest Expense 135.4 148.8 Interest Income 31.3 24.2Income Before Income Taxes and Income From Equity Method Investments 1,260.6 1,149.6 Income Tax Expense 410.9 388.9 Income From Equity Method Investments 10.4 10.5 Net Income 860.1 771.2 Net Income Attributed To Noncontrolling Interests (85.6 ) (80.5 ) Net Income - Omnicom Group Inc. $ 774.5 $ 690.7 In the first nine months of 2014 and 2013, we incurred $8.8 million and $28.1 million, respectively, of expenses in connection with the proposed merger with Publicis, which were primarily comprised of professional fees. On May 8, 2014, the proposed merger with Publicis was terminated. Excluding the merger expenses, operating income and operating margin for the first nine months of 2013 were $1,302.3 million and 12.4%, respectively and EBITA and EBITA margin for the first nine months of 2013 were $1,378.6 million and 13.1%, respectively. Income tax expense for the first nine months of 2014 and 2013 reflects the recognition of an income tax benefit of $11.4 million and $6.4 million, respectively, related to expenses incurred in connection with the proposed merger with Publicis. Prior to the termination of the proposed merger, the majority of the merger costs were capitalized for income tax purposes and the related tax benefits were not recorded. Because the proposed merger was terminated, the merger costs were no longer required to be capitalized for income tax purposes.

Excluding the income tax effect of the merger expenses, income taxes for the first nine months of 2014 and 2013 were was $422.3 million and $395.3 million, respectively. Excluding the after-tax effect of the merger expenses, net income - Omnicom Group Inc. for the first nine months of 2014 and 2013 was $771.9 million and $712.4 million, respectively.

EBITA, which we define as earnings before interest, taxes and amortization of intangible assets, and EBITA Margin, which we define as EBITA divided by Revenue, are Non-GAAP financial measures. We use EBITA and EBITA Margin as additional operating performance measures, which exclude the non-cash amortization expense of acquired intangible assets. The table above reconciles EBITA and EBITA Margin to the U.S. GAAP financial measure of Operating Income for the periods presented. We believe that EBITA and EBITA Margin are useful measures to evaluate the performance of our businesses. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation from or as a substitute for financial information presented in compliance with U.S. GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures reported by us may not be comparable to similarly titled amounts reported by other companies.

Revenue In the first nine months of 2014, revenue increased $596.3 million, or 5.7%, to $11,122.7 million from $10,526.4 million in the first nine months of 2013.

Changes in foreign exchange rates increased revenue $16.8 million, acquisitions net of dispositions reduced revenue $6.8 million and organic growth increased revenue $586.3 million.

21 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The components of the first nine months of 2014 revenue change in the United States ("Domestic") and the remainder of the world ("International") were (in millions): Total Domestic International $ % $ % $ % Nine months ended September 30, 2013 $ 10,526.4 $ 5,511.1 $ 5,015.3 Components of revenue change: Foreign exchange impact 16.8 0.2 % - - % 16.8 0.3 % Acquisitions, net of dispositions (6.8 ) (0.1 )% (48.1 ) (0.9 )% 41.3 0.8 % Organic growth 586.3 5.6 % 450.6 8.2 % 135.7 2.8 % Nine months ended September 30, 2014 $ 11,122.7 5.7 % $ 5,913.6 7.3 % $ 5,209.1 3.9 % The components and percentages are calculated as follows: • The foreign exchange impact is calculated by first converting the current period's local currency revenue using the average exchange rates from the equivalent prior period to arrive at a constant currency revenue (in this case $11,105.9 million for the Total column). The foreign exchange impact equals the difference between the current period revenue in U.S. Dollars and the current period revenue in constant currency ($11,122.7 million less $11,105.9 million for the Total column).

• The acquisition component is calculated by aggregating the applicable prior period revenue of the acquired businesses, less revenue of any business included in the prior period revenue that was disposed of subsequent to the period.

• Organic growth is calculated by subtracting both the foreign exchange and acquisition components from total revenue growth.

• The percentage change is calculated by dividing the individual component amount by the prior period revenue base of that component ($10,526.4 million for the Total column).

In the first nine months of 2014, changes in foreign exchange rates increased revenue 0.2%, or $16.8 million, compared to the first nine months of 2013. The most significant impacts resulted from the weakening of the U.S. Dollar against the British Pound and Euro, substantially offset by the strengthening of the U.S. Dollar against the Australian Dollar, Brazilian Real, Canadian Dollar, Japanese Yen and Russian Rouble.

Revenue for the first nine months of 2014 and the percentage change in revenue and organic growth from the first nine months of 2013 in our principal regional markets were (in millions): Revenue % Change % Organic Growth Americas: North America $ 6,302.2 6.0 % 7.2 % Latin America 306.1 (0.1 )% 6.0 % EMEA: Europe 3,165.8 6.7 % 2.2 % Middle East and Africa 182.7 5.6 % 8.6 % Asia Pacific 1,165.9 2.7 % 5.0 % $ 11,122.7 5.7 % 5.6 % Revenue from our largest client represented 2.7% and 2.8% of our revenue for the first nine months of 2014 and 2013, respectively. No other client represented more than 2.5% and 2.7% of revenue for the first nine months of 2014 and 2013, respectively. Our ten largest and 100 largest clients represented 18.2% and 50.6% of our revenue for the first nine months of 2014, respectively and 19.4% and 52.4% of our revenue for the first nine months of 2013, respectively.

22 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Revenue for the first nine months of 2014 and 2013 and the percentage change in revenue and organic growth by discipline were (in millions): Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 2013 2014 vs. 2013 % of % of % $ Revenue $ Revenue $ Change % Organic Growth Advertising $ 5,491.4 49.4 % $ 5,039.3 47.8 % $ 452.1 9.0 % 9.3 % CRM 3,835.7 34.5 % 3,715.3 35.3 % 120.4 3.2 % 2.1 % Public relations 1,025.6 9.2 % 986.7 9.4 % 38.9 3.9 % 2.6 % Specialty communications 770.0 6.9 % 785.1 7.5 % (15.1 ) (1.9 )% 1.7 % $ 11,122.7 $ 10,526.4 $ 596.3 5.7 % 5.6 % We operate in a number of industry sectors. The percentage of our revenue by industry sector for the first nine months of 2014 and 2013 was: Industry 2014 2013 Food and Beverage 13.2 % 13.7 % Consumer Products 9.7 % 9.8 % Pharmaceuticals and Health Care 9.8 % 10.3 % Financial Services 7.0 % 7.4 % Technology 8.7 % 9.1 % Auto 8.0 % 8.3 % Travel and Entertainment 5.8 % 5.4 % Telecommunications 5.5 % 6.5 % Retail 6.5 % 6.0 % Other 25.8 % 23.5 % Operating Expenses Operating expenses for the first nine months of 2014 compared to the first nine months of 2013 were (in millions): Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 2013 2014 vs. 2013 % of % of % Total % Total of Operating of Operating $ % $ Revenue Expenses $ Revenue Expenses Change Change Revenue $ 11,122.7 $ 10,526.4 $ 596.3 5.7 % Operating Expenses: Salary and service costs 8,230.7 74.0 % 84.3 % 7,733.3 73.5 % 83.6 % 497.4 6.4 % Office and general expenses 1,527.3 13.7 % 15.7 % 1,518.9 14.4 % 16.4 % 8.4 0.6 % Operating Expenses 9,758.0 87.7 % 9,252.2 87.9 % 505.8 5.5 % Operating Income $ 1,364.7 12.3 % $ 1,274.2 12.1 % $ 90.5 7.1 % Salary and service costs tend to fluctuate in conjunction with changes in revenue. Salary and service costs increased $497.4 million for the first nine months of 2014, compared to the first nine months of 2013 reflecting growth in revenue and increases related to changes in the mix of our business during the period, including increased use of freelance labor.

Office and general expenses are less directly linked to changes in our revenue than salary and service costs. Office and general expenses increased $8.4 million in the first nine months of 2014, compared to the first nine months of 2013.

23 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the first nine months of 2014 and 2013, we incurred $8.8 million and $28.1 million, respectively, of expenses in connection with the proposed merger with Publicis, which were primarily comprised of professional fees. On May 8, 2014, the proposed merger with Publicis was terminated. Excluding the merger expenses in the first nine months of 2014 and 2013, office and general expenses for the first nine months of 2014 increased $27.7 million to $1,518.5 million compared to $1,490.8 million the first nine months of 2013, but decreased as a percentage of revenue reflecting our continuing efforts to control the cost structures of our agencies.

Operating income for first nine months of 2014 increased 7.1%, compared to the first nine months of 2013. Operating margins increased to 12.3% in 2014 from 12.1% in 2013 and EBITA margins increased to 13.0% from 12.8%. Excluding the merger expenses of $28.1 million in 2013, operating margins and EBITA margins for the first nine months of 2013 were 12.4% and 13.1%, respectively.

Net Interest Expense Net interest expense decreased to $104.1 million in the first nine months of 2014, compared to $124.6 million in the first nine months of 2013. Interest expense decreased $13.4 million to $135.4 million. The reduction in interest expense is primarily a result of the interest rate swaps on the 2022 Notes.

Interest income increased $7.1 million in the first nine months of 2014 resulting from our overall cash managements efforts and interest earned on cash balances in our international treasury centers.

Income Taxes Our effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2014 decreased to 32.6% compared to 33.8% for the first nine months of 2013. Income taxes for the first nine months of 2014 and 2013 reflect the recognition of an income tax benefit of $11.4 million and $6.4 million, respectively, related to expenses incurred in connection with the proposed merger with Publicis. Prior to the termination of the proposed merger on May 8, 2014, the majority of the merger costs were capitalized for income tax purposes and the related tax benefits were not recorded. Because the proposed merger was terminated, the merger costs were no longer required to be capitalized for income tax purposes. Excluding the income tax effect of the merger expenses, income taxes for the first nine months of 2014 and 2013 were was $422.3 million and $395.3 million, respectively.

Net Income Per Common Share - Omnicom Group Inc.

Net income - Omnicom Group Inc. for the first nine months of 2014 increased $83.8 million, or 12.1%, to $774.5 million, compared to $690.7 million for the first nine months of 2013. The period-over-period increase is due to the factors described above. Diluted net income per common share - Omnicom Group Inc.

increased 14.3% to $2.95 for the first nine months of 2014, compared to $2.58 for the first nine months of 2013 due to the factors described above, as well as the impact of the reduction in our weighted average common shares outstanding.

The reduction in our weighted average common shares outstanding was the result of repurchases of our common stock, net of shares issued for the conversion of the 2032 Notes in the third quarter of 2014, stock option exercises and shares issued under our employee stock purchase plan. Beginning in the second quarter of 2014, after the termination of the proposed merger, we resumed repurchases of our common stock in the open market. Excluding the after-tax effect of the merger expenses, net income - Omnicom Group Inc. for the first nine months of 2014 and 2013 was $771.9 million and $712.4 million, respectively, and diluted net income per common share - Omnicom Group Inc. was $2.94 and $2.66, respectively.

24 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES For a more complete understanding of all of our accounting policies, our financial statements and the related management's discussion and analysis of those results, readers are encouraged to consider this information together with our discussion of our critical accounting policies under the heading "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our 2013 10-K.

Acquisitions and Goodwill We have made and expect to continue to make selective acquisitions. In making acquisitions, the valuation of potential acquisitions is based on various factors, including specialized know-how, reputation, competitive position, geographic coverage and service offerings of the target businesses, as well as our experience and judgment.

Our acquisition strategy is focused on acquiring the expertise of an assembled workforce in order to continue to build upon the core capabilities of our various strategic business platforms and agency brands through the expansion of their geographic reach and/or their service capabilities to better serve our clients. Additional key factors we consider include the competitive position and specialized know-how of the acquisition targets. Accordingly, as is typical in most service businesses, a substantial portion of the intangible asset value we acquire is the know-how of the people, which is treated as part of goodwill and is not valued separately. For each acquisition, we undertake a detailed review to identify other intangible assets and a valuation is performed for all such identified assets. A significant portion of the identifiable intangible assets acquired is derived from customer relationships, including the related customer contracts, as well as trade names. In valuing these identified intangible assets, we typically use an income approach and consider comparable market participant measurements.

We evaluate goodwill for impairment at least annually at the end of the second quarter of the year and whenever events or circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. We identified our regional reporting units as components of our operating segments, which are our five agency networks. The regional reporting units of each agency network are responsible for the agencies in their region. They report to the segment managers and facilitate the administrative and logistical requirements of our client-centric strategy for delivering services to clients in their regions. We have concluded that for each of our operating segments, their regional reporting units have similar economic characteristics and should be aggregated for purposes of testing goodwill for impairment at the operating segment level. Our conclusion was based on a detailed analysis of the aggregation criteria set forth in FASB ASC Topic 280, Segment Reporting, and the guidance set forth in FASB ASC Topic 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other. Consistent with our fundamental business strategy, the agencies within our regional reporting units serve similar clients in similar industries, and in many cases the same clients. In addition, the agencies within our regional reporting units have similar economic characteristics. The main economic components of each agency are employee compensation and related costs and direct service costs and office and general costs, which include rent and occupancy costs, technology costs that are generally limited to personal computers, servers and off-the-shelf software and other overhead expenses.

Finally, the expected benefits of our acquisitions are typically shared across multiple agencies and regions as they work together to integrate the acquired agency into our client service strategy.

Goodwill Impairment Review - Estimates and Assumptions We use the following valuation methodologies to determine the fair value of our reporting units: (1) the income approach, which utilizes discounted expected future cash flows, (2) comparative market participant multiples for EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) and (3) when available, consideration of recent and similar acquisition transactions.

In applying the income approach, we use estimates to derive the expected discounted cash flows ("DCF") for each reporting unit that serves as the basis of our valuation. These estimates and assumptions include revenue growth and operating margin, EBITDA, tax rates, capital expenditures, weighted average cost of capital and related discount rates and expected long-term cash flow growth rates. All of these estimates and assumptions are affected by conditions specific to our businesses, economic conditions related to the industry we operate in, as well as conditions in the global economy. The assumptions that have the most significant effect on our valuations derived using a DCF methodology are: (1) the expected long-term growth rate of our reporting units' cash flows and (2) the weighted average cost of capital ("WACC").

The range of assumptions used for the long-term growth rate and WACC in our evaluations as of June 30, 2014 and 2013 were: June 30, 2014 2013 Long-Term Growth Rate 4% 4% WACC 9.9% - 10.6% 10.1% - 10.7% 25 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Long-term growth rate represents our estimate of the long-term growth rate for our industry and the markets of the global economy we operate in. The average historical revenue growth rate of our reporting units for the past ten years was approximately 5.6% and the Average Nominal GDP growth of the countries comprising our major markets that account for substantially all of our revenue was 4.2% over the same period. We considered this history when determining the long-term growth rates used in our annual impairment test at June 30, 2014. We believe marketing expenditures over the long term have a high correlation to GDP. We also believe, based on our historical performance, that our long-term growth rate will exceed Average Nominal GDP growth in the markets we operate in.

For our annual test as of June 30, 2014, we used an estimated long-term growth rate of 4% for our reporting units.

When performing our annual impairment test as of June 30, 2014 and estimating the future cash flows of our reporting units, we considered the current macroeconomic environment, as well as industry and market specific conditions at mid-year 2014. In the first half of 2014, we experienced an increase in our revenue of 5.1%, which excludes growth from acquisitions and the impact from changes in foreign exchange rates. While economic conditions in the Euro Zone began to stabilize in the second half of 2013, the continuing fiscal issues faced by many countries in the European Union has caused economic difficulty in certain of our Euro Zone markets. We considered the effect of these conditions in our annual impairment test.

The WACC is comprised of: (1) a risk-free rate of return, (2) a business risk index ascribed to us and to companies in our industry comparable to our reporting units based on a market derived variable that measures the volatility of the share price of equity securities relative to the volatility of the overall equity market, (3) an equity risk premium that is based on the rate of return on equity of publicly traded companies with business characteristics comparable to our reporting units and (4) a current after-tax market rate of return on debt of companies with business characteristics similar to our reporting units, each weighted by the relative market value percentages of our equity and debt.

Our five reporting units vary in size with respect to revenue and the amount of debt allocated to them. These differences drive variations in fair value among our reporting units. In addition, these differences as well as differences in book value, including goodwill, cause variations in the amount by which fair value exceeds book value among the reporting units. The reporting unit goodwill balances and debt vary by reporting unit primarily because our three legacy agency networks were acquired at the formation of Omnicom and were accounted for as a pooling of interests that did not result in any additional debt or goodwill being recorded. The remaining two agency networks were built through a combination of internal growth and acquisitions that were accounted for using the acquisition method and as a result, they have a relatively higher amount of goodwill and debt.

Goodwill Impairment Review - Conclusion Under U.S. GAAP, we have the option of either assessing qualitative factors to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that the carrying value of our reporting units exceeds their respective fair value or proceeding directly to Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test. Although not required, we performed Step 1 of the annual impairment test and compared the fair value of each of our reporting units to its respective carrying value, including goodwill. Based on the results of our impairment test, we concluded that our goodwill was not impaired at June 30, 2014, because the fair value of each of our reporting units was substantially in excess of their respective net book value. The minimum decline in fair value that one of our reporting units would need to experience in order to fail Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test was approximately 70%.

Notwithstanding our belief that the assumptions we used in our impairment testing for our WACC and long-term growth rate are reasonable, we performed a sensitivity analysis for each of our reporting units. The results of this sensitivity analysis on our impairment test as of June 30, 2014 revealed that if the WACC increased by 1% and/or the long-term growth rate decreased by 1%, the fair value of each of our reporting units would continue to be substantially in excess of their respective net book values and would pass Step 1 of the impairment test.

We will continue to perform our impairment test at the end of the second quarter of each year unless events or circumstances trigger the need for an interim impairment test. The estimates used in our goodwill impairment test do not constitute forecasts or projections of future results of operations, but rather are estimates and assumptions based on historical results and assessments of macroeconomic factors affecting our reporting units. We believe that our estimates and assumptions are reasonable, but they are subject to change from period to period. Actual results of operations and other factors will likely differ from the estimates used in our discounted cash flow valuation and it is possible that differences could be material. A change in the estimates we use could result in a decline in the estimated fair value of one or more of our reporting units from the amounts derived as of our latest valuation and could cause us to fail Step 1 of our goodwill impairment test if the estimated fair value for the reporting unit is less than the carrying value of the net assets of the reporting unit, including its goodwill. A large decline in estimated fair value of a reporting unit could result in a non-cash impairment charge and may have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial position.

26 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS See Note 2 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES Cash Sources and Requirements Historically, the majority of our non-discretionary cash requirements have been funded from operating cash flow and cash on hand. Working capital is our principal non-discretionary funding requirement. In addition, we have contractual obligations related to our Senior Notes, our recurring business operations, primarily related to lease obligations, as well as contingent purchase price obligations (earn-outs) for acquisitions made in prior years.

Our principal discretionary cash uses include dividend payments, capital expenditures, payments for strategic acquisitions and repurchases of our common stock. In the second quarter of 2014, following the termination of the proposed merger with Publicis, we resumed repurchases of our common stock. Our discretionary spending is funded from operating cash flow and cash on hand. In addition, depending on the level of our discretionary activity and conditions in the capital markets, we may use other available sources of funding, such as issuing commercial paper, borrowing under our $2.5 billion line of credit, or Credit Agreement, or other long-term borrowings to finance these activities. For the remainder of 2014, we expect to have sufficient liquidity to fund both our non-discretionary cash requirements and our discretionary spending. However, we may access the capital markets at any time if favorable conditions exist.

We have a seasonal cash requirement normally peaking during the first half of the year primarily due to the timing of payments for incentive compensation, income taxes and contingent purchase price obligations. This typically results in a net borrowing requirement that decreases over the course of the year.

During the first nine months of 2014, we generated $33.1 million of cash from operations, which included cash used for operating capital of $1,091.9 million.

Our discretionary spending during the first nine months of 2014 was: capital expenditures of $138.3 million; dividends paid of $340.7 million; dividends paid to shareholders of noncontrolling interests of $83.2 million; repurchases of our common stock, net of proceeds from stock option exercises and related tax benefits and common stock sold to our employee stock purchase plan, of $830.0 million; and, acquisition payments, net of cash acquired, of $65.3 million plus contingent purchase price obligations of $74.5 million and acquisition of additional shares of noncontrolling interests of $22.0 million.

On May 20, 2014, we increased the quarterly cash dividend on our common stock to $0.50 per share.

Cash Management We manage our cash and liquidity centrally through our regional treasury centers in North America, Europe and Asia. The treasury centers are managed by our wholly-owned finance subsidiaries. Each day, operations with excess funds invest these funds with their regional treasury center. Likewise, operations that require funds borrow from their regional treasury center. The treasury centers aggregate the net position which is either invested with or borrowed from third parties. To the extent that our treasury centers require liquidity, they have the ability to access local currency uncommitted lines of credit, the Credit Agreement or issue up to a total of $2.0 billion of U.S. Dollar-denominated commercial paper. This process enables us to manage our debt balances more efficiently and utilize our cash more effectively, as well as better manage our risk to foreign exchange rate changes. In countries where we either do not conduct treasury operations or it is not feasible for one of our treasury centers to fund net borrowing requirements on an intercompany basis, we arrange for local currency uncommitted lines of credit.

Our cash and cash equivalents decreased $1.9 billion to $837.7 million and our short-term investments decreased $5.6 million to $12.6 million from December 31, 2013, primarily to fund our seasonal working capital requirement, as well as repurchases of our common stock. Short-term investments primarily consist of time deposits with financial institutions that we expect to convert into cash within our current operating cycle, generally one year.

At September 30, 2014, our total cash and cash equivalents were $837.7 million, of which our foreign subsidiaries held approximately $541 million. The majority of this cash is available to us, net of any taxes payable upon repatriation to the United States. Changes in international tax rules or changes in U.S. tax rules and regulations covering international operations and foreign tax credits may affect our future reported financial results or the way we conduct our business.

27 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We have policies governing counterparty credit risk with financial institutions that hold our cash and cash equivalents and we have deposit limits for each financial institution. In countries where we conduct treasury operations, generally the counterparties are either branches or subsidiaries of the financial institutions that are party to the Credit Agreement. These financial institutions generally have credit ratings equal to or better than our credit ratings. In countries where we do not conduct treasury operations, we ensure that all cash and cash equivalents are held by counterparties that meet specific minimum credit standards.

Debt Instruments and Related Covenants We have committed and uncommitted lines of credit. On July 31, 2014, we amended our Credit Agreement to extend the term to July 31, 2019. We have the ability to classify borrowings under the Credit Agreement as long-term. In addition, we can issue up to $2.0 billion of commercial paper.

Depending on market conditions at the time, we typically fund our day-to-day liquidity by issuing commercial paper, borrowing under our uncommitted lines of credit or drawing on our Credit Agreement. At September 30, 2014, there were no outstanding commercial paper issuances or borrowings under the Credit Agreement.

Commercial paper activity for the quarters ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was (dollars in millions): 2014 2013 Average amount outstanding during the quarter $ 1,425.1 $ 690.3 Maximum amount outstanding during the quarter $ 1,795.2 $ 1,027.5 Total issuances during the quarter $ 5,270.4 $ 4,612.8 Average days outstanding 24.9 13.8 Weighted average interest rate 0.29 % 0.32 % At September 30, 2014, short-term borrowings of $31.3 million represent bank overdrafts and lines of credit of our international subsidiaries. These bank overdrafts and lines of credit are treated as unsecured loans pursuant to the agreements supporting the facilities.

The Credit Agreement contains financial covenants that require us to maintain a Leverage Ratio of consolidated indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA of no more than 3 times for the most recently ended 12-month period (under the Credit Agreement, EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) and an Interest Coverage Ratio of consolidated EBITDA to interest expense of at least 5 times for the most recently ended 12-month period. At September 30, 2014 we were in compliance with these covenants as our Leverage Ratio was 1.7 times and our Interest Coverage Ratio was 12 times. The Credit Agreement does not limit our ability to declare or pay dividends.

At September 30, 2014, the carrying value of our debt and amounts available under the Credit Agreement were (in millions): Available Debt Credit Short-term borrowings, due in less than one year $ 31.3 $ - Credit Agreement - 2,500.0 5.9% Senior Notes due April 15, 2016 1,000.0 - 6.25% Senior Notes due July 15, 2019 500.0 - 4.45% Senior Notes due August 15, 2020 1,000.0 - 3.625% Senior Notes due May 1, 2022 1,250.0 - Other debt 0.3 - 3,781.6 2,500.0 Unamortized premium (discount) on Senior Notes, net 13.8 - Adjustment to carrying value for interest rate swaps 15.1 - $ 3,810.5 $ 2,500.0 28 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- On May 1, 2014, we entered into an interest rate swap on the $1.25 billion principal amount of our 2022 Notes and on September 29, 2014, we entered into an interest rate swap on the $1 billion principal amount of our 4.45% Senior Notes due August 15, 2020, or 2020 Notes. The interest rate swaps hedge the risk of changes in fair value of the 2022 Notes and the 2020 Notes attributable to changes in the benchmark LIBOR interest rate. Under the terms of the swaps, we receive fixed interest rate payments and pay a variable interest rate, based on LIBOR, on the total principal amount of the 2022 Notes and the 2020 Notes, respectively. The swaps qualify as a hedge for accounting purposes and were designated as a fair value hedge on the 2022 Notes and 2020 Notes, respectively.

The swaps have the economic effect of converting the 2022 Notes and the 2020 Notes from fixed rate debt to floating rate debt. Gains and losses attributed to changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps substantially offset changes in the fair value of the 2022 Notes and the 2020 Notes, respectively, attributed to changes in the benchmark interest rate. The net interest settlement is recorded in interest expense.

On June 5, 2014, we called the 2032 Notes for redemption on July 31, 2014 at a redemption price of 100% of the principal amount of the notes. As provided in the indenture governing the 2032 Notes, prior to July 29, 2014, the noteholders had the right to convert their notes into shares of our common stock at a conversion rate of 18.463 shares per $1,000 principal amount. Substantially all noteholders exercised their conversion right. We paid $252.7 million in cash representing the principal amount of the notes that were converted and issued 1,217,112 shares of our common stock to satisfy the conversion premium. On July 31, 2014, we redeemed any 2032 Notes that were not converted.

Credit Markets and Availability of Credit We will continue to take actions available to us to respond to changing economic conditions and actively manage our discretionary expenditures and we will continue to monitor and manage the level of credit made available to our clients. We believe that these actions, in addition to operating cash flow and the availability of our Credit Agreement, are sufficient to fund our working capital needs and our discretionary spending.

In funding our day-to-day liquidity, we have historically been a participant in the commercial paper market. We expect to continue funding our day-to-day liquidity through the commercial paper market. However, prior disruptions in the credit markets led to periods of illiquidity in the commercial paper market and higher credit spreads. During these periods of disruption, we used our uncommitted lines of credit and borrowed under our Credit Agreement to mitigate these conditions and to fund our day-to-day liquidity. We will continue to closely monitor our liquidity and the credit markets. We cannot predict with any certainty the impact on us of any future disruptions in the credit markets.

CREDIT RISK We provide advertising, marketing and corporate communications services to several thousand clients who operate in nearly every industry sector of the global economy and in the normal course of business, we grant credit to qualified clients. Due to the diversified nature of our client base, we do not believe that we are exposed to a concentration of credit risk as our largest client accounted for 2.7% of our revenue for the first nine months of 2014 and no other client accounted for more than 2.5% of our revenue. However, during periods of economic downturn, the credit profiles of our clients could change.

In the normal course of business, our agencies enter into contractual commitments with media providers and production companies on behalf of our clients at levels that can substantially exceed the revenue from our services.

These commitments are included in accounts payable when the services are delivered by the media providers or production companies. If permitted by local law and the client agreement, many of our agencies purchase media and production services for our clients as an agent for a disclosed principal. In addition, while operating practices vary by country, media type and media vendor, in the United States and certain foreign markets, many of our agencies' contracts with media and production providers specify that our agencies are not liable to the media and production providers under the theory of sequential liability until and to the extent we have been paid by our client for the media or production services.

Where purchases of media and production services are made by our agencies as a principal or are not subject to the theory of sequential liability, the risk of a material loss as a result of payment default by our clients could increase significantly and such a loss could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial position.

In addition, methods of managing the risk of payment default, including obtaining credit insurance, requiring payment in advance, mitigating the potential loss in the marketplace or negotiating with media providers, may be less available or unavailable during a severe economic downturn.

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