New Zealand: Commerce Commission announced investigation into Omnicom's acquisition of Interpublic

On 28 February 2025, the Commerce Commission announced an investigation into Omnicom's acquisition of Interpublic. The merger affects the advertising, marketing, and communications (AMC) sector in New Zealand, specifically the supply of marketing and communication services (MCS) and media buying services (MBS). The parties submit that the transaction will not substantially lessen competition, citing low combined market shares, the presence of strong international and local competitors, low barriers to entry, and the prevalence of project-based contracts that enable clients to switch providers easily.