Richard Whitman

New York

Columnist at MediaPost

A friendly punch in the face from the ad man no one knows, Richard Whitman

Articles

Poll: More Americans Oppose Trump's Tariffs Than Support Them

6 days ago | mediapost.com | Richard Whitman

It's no secret that many advertisers are worrying about the impact of tariffs on their businesses and are still trying to figure out their spending budgets for the year. And now it seems a much larger swath of the general public is also concerned about the economy and how it’s impacting their personal financial situation. A new survey from Stagwell’s Harris Poll and Harvard’s Center For American Studies finds that more Americans oppose Trump’s tariff program (47%) than support it (45%).
Poll Finds Alarming Rise In Bad Behavior At The Office

2 weeks ago | mediapost.com | Richard Whitman

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Are Stagwell's Five-Year Financial Targets Overly Optimistic?

2 weeks ago | mediapost.com | Richard Whitman

At its Investors Day last week, Stagwell announced a reorganization and several ambitious financial goals, including reaching $5 billion in annual revenue by 2029 (up from the 2024 total of $2.8 billion).
How The Omnicom-IPG Deal May Impact Your Media Plan

2 weeks ago | mediapost.com | Richard Whitman

If you’re an advertiser wondering how the Omnicom-IPG deal could disrupt the media landscape—and possibly your own media planning and buying efforts--you’re not alone. The folks at media consultant ID Comms have been thinking a lot about the issue as well and in addition to dispensing advice to clients have offered some free insights to the rest of the industry via the firm’s podcast #MediaSnack.
After A Transformational Year Omnicom's Wren Receives A 7.5% Pay Hike

3 weeks ago | mediapost.com | Richard Whitman

After meeting its financial goals for the year—including more than 5% organic revenue growth--Omnicom CEO John Wren received a 7.5% bump in pay for 2024 with total compensation of nearly $21.7 million, according to the company’s proxy statement filed with the Securities And Exchange Commission. That said, 2024 was far more than a strong financial year for the holding company.
Omnicom, IPG Receive Early Approval To Proceed With Merger

3 weeks ago | mediapost.com | Richard Whitman

Omnicom and IPG are proceeding with their merger ahead of schedule, the companies said today. The original plan was for completion in the second half of the year. The early go-ahead was given by the Trump Administration's Department of Government Efficiency, run by electric car and rocket czar Elon Musk. The Federal Trade Commission’s investigation of the antitrust implications of the merger was abruptly halted, a joint decision made by Trump and Musk.
Remarkable And 'Most Marketable' NCAA Basketball Stars

3 weeks ago | mediapost.com | Richard Whitman

Four years ago the Supreme Court ruled that college athletes were entitled to earn money from their names, images and likenesses, lifting a longstanding ban imposed by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Since that time, brands have increasingly embraced college stars to help promote their products.
EPC Commentary: Why Europe needs a common market for defence

4 weeks ago | ieu-monitoring.com | Richard Whitman

Brussels, 27 March 2025By Richard G. WhitmanThe EU needs to go beyond its plans for a more coordinated approach to defence capabilities by member states to draw non-member states into a European defence common market. ReArming for a SAFEr EuropeThe newly published joint European Commission and High Representative defence White Paper and the commitments under ReArm Europe Plan/Readiness 2030 create the basis for a new departure in EU defence.
Reports: Publicis, Havas Vie For Stake In Big India Independent Agency

1 month ago | mediapost.com | Richard Whitman

Press reports (here’s one) out of India indicate that both Publicis and Havas are talking separately with the owner of independent company Madison World to acquire a majority stake in its ad agency business. Capabilities include media, creative, sports marketing and PR. Madison World was created 37 years ago by Sam Balsara, who the reports say is interested in selling to a global holding company to help drive further growth at the agency.
How Will The Tariff Wars Impact The Ad Economy?

1 month ago | mediapost.com | Richard Whitman

As the tariff wars continue, Americans are getting wearier and more worried about their impact according to a new survey from Stagwell’s Harris Poll. Separately, GroupM has taken a look at the potential impact of a 200% tariff on European wines and spirits that Trump recently threatened to impose on the European Union in retaliation for proposed EU tariff on American whiskey.