NEW YORK — IPG's PR and experiential agency group  reported 3.5% growth on an organic basis in Q4 2022, and 8.5% for the year as a whole, continuing a pattern of improved quarter-by-quarter performance that re-started in 2021 after the division’s income dropped through the first year of the pandemic.

Parent Interpublic Group said the Q4 lift in business for the group — which includes Weber Shandwick, Golin, Current Global and Rogers & Cowan PMK — was led by “high single-digit growth” in its experiential business, which includes Octagon, Jack Morton and Momentum, all of which posted strong growth in the quarter.

Among PR firms, Golin posted “strong gains” during the quarter and had several wins, including a product launch for a new alcohol beverage, corporate communications work for a food products and services brand, a financial services company (to lead earned media, social and research), and influencer AOR for a household appliances manufacturer, IPG said.

In addition, a fully-integrated, multi-agency Dxtra Health team, including talent from Weber Shandwick, Future Brand and Jack Health, was awarded Moderna's global business, IPG said.

For full year 2022, The Weber Shandwick Collective saw “strong single-digit growth,” including double-digit growth at many of its business units. In Q4, Weber Shandwick announced new clients wins with HP in North America, and IKEA in the UK. The network also launched Business & Society Futures   a new C-Suite offering in the areas of public affairs, corporate affairs, organizational design and consultancy, IPG said.

IPG as a whole registered 3.8% organic growth in Q4, and 7.0% organic growth for the full year, bringing 2022 net revenue to $9.5 billion.

“Once again, our people are at the heart of our strong performance this year. Their dedication to our clients and to one another, as well as their expertise spanning creative marketing services, technology and data management fueled our 2022 growth in every world region and broadly across client sectors. Our three-year organic growth stack stands at 14%  a level of performance that speaks to the strength and relevance of our offerings, particularly in services and sectors demanding emerging media, precision and accountability,” IPG CEO Philippe Krakowsky said in a statement.

“As we look ahead, the macroeconomic situation remains uncertain. Marketers are approaching 2023 with conviction in the need to stay invested and be in the marketplace, as well as a degree of caution. We’re confident that the strongest growth areas of our business, such as consultative media services, healthcare marketing, experiential marketing, and commerce, all supported by our best-in-class data capabilities and creative assets, will continue to perform despite the current economic headwinds.

“We expect organic net revenue growth for 2023 of 2% to 4%, on top of our very strong multi- year performance, and to further expand our adjusted EBITA margin to 16.7% for the full year. Strategically, we’ll continue to build on IPG’s evolution to a higher value solutions provider. Our strong balance sheet and commitment to financial flexibility remain key priorities. The actions announced by our Board today, to increase our dividend and the additional authorization on the share repurchase program, speak to confidence in the strategic trajectory of our company. Our strong operating performance and financial foundation, coupled with the talent of our people and dedication to client success, will be fundamental to enhance value for all of our stakeholders,” he said.

Thursday  earnings report was the third from IPG since Andy Polansky retired in June after a 38-year career with Interpublic Group and Weber Shandwick. Polansky spent the last three years of his career as chair and CEO of IPG’s Dxtra group, overseeing the holding group's PR, event and sports marketing agencies.

The group now reports to Krakowsky. There are no plans to replace Polansky at this time, IPG has said.