NEW YORK — Interpublic’s PR revenue rose during the second quarter of 2019, marking the fifth consecutive quarter of positive results.

The PR group's revenue for Q2 rose by low-single digits on an as reported basis and on an organic basis. The group includes Weber Shandwick, Golin, DeVries, Rogers & Cowan and Current Global, which launched in early April with the merger of Current Marketing and Creation.

"Weber Shandwick, Current Global and Rogers & Cowan again had particularly strong performance in the quarter, fueled by increased business from existing clients and new business wins. The six month picture is also low single digit growth on an organic and reported basis," said Andy Polansky, the former Weber Shandwick global CEO who earlier this month was named chairman and CEO of Interpublic Group's CMG division, which includes its PR agencies.

Revenue gains during the most recent quarter were slightly lower than what the group experienced in Q1 2019, when the group's revenues rose by mid-single digits on an organic and low-single on an as reported basis. The gains, however, do mean the group's revenues have been on the upswing for more than year, putting a tough 2017 for the agencies well behind it.

According to Polansky, Weber Shandwick's Q2 revenue performance mirrored that of the wider group. “From a Weber-specific standpoint, I’m delighted to elevate Gail to president and CEO at a time when the business continues to perform very well, with low single-digit growth for the quarter on an organic and reported basis, and, over the six months, mid-single figure growth on an organic basis," he said.

Polansky noted that 19 Weber Shandwick operations around the world had double-digit growth. "EMEA and LatAm were the stand-out regions and we’re seeing pretty good balance across the portfolio in terms of sectors, including a strength in healthcare and technology," he said.