Why They Flew The Coop

EX-IPG SHOPS DAILEY AND TM SAY THE FUTURE OF CLIENT WORK IS INDIE.

- Erik Oster

Typically speaking, agency founders strive for the big payday that comes with a major holding company acquisition. But this year saw two shops aim to do the exact opposite, namely regain their independence by ending decades long relationships with Interpublic Group.

Dailey Advertising, which IPG had owned for more than 30 years, completed a buyback last February after the holding group approached the agency with an offer following a series of strategic discussions.

“[It was] a mutual decision, done in a thoughtful way,” said managing partner Jean Grabow, adding that Dailey “wanted to nurture the culture we already have as a strong branding agency.”

The Los Angeles-based agency formed a new leadership structure around Grabow and fellow managing partners Michelle Wong, Steve Mitchell, Brad Johnson and Bill Waldner, with former CEO Tom Lehr opting not to participate. Dailey also brought back executive creative director Marcus Wesson, which Waldner said allowed the team to “let our new creative energy shine.”

Dallas-based TM Advertising soon followed suit, buying itself back from IPG in May after 16 years, with plans to leave its existing relationship with McCann by April 2018.