8-K

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


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                                    FORM 8-K

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                                 CURRENT REPORT
                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


       Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): December 10, 2001

                    The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc.
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               (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)


         Delaware                        1-6686                 13-1024020
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(State or Other Jurisdiction         (Commission File           (IRS Employer
      of Incorporation)                   Number)            Identification No.)

1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York                         10020
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  (Address of Principal Executive Offices)                           (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 212-399-8000

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          (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)





Item 5.   Other Events.

         On December 10, 2001, The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc.
issued a press release, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 7.  Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.

         Exhibits.

         99.1     Press Release dated December 10, 2001.





                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                       THE INTERPUBLIC GROUP OF COMPANIES, INC.


Date: December 10, 2001                By:      /s/ Nicholas J. Camera
                                                ----------------------
                                                Nicholas J. Camera
                                                SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT,
                                                GENERAL COUNSEL AND
                                                SECRETARY





                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

         Exhibits.

         99.1     Press Release dated December 10, 2001.

EX-99.1

                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.1
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         INTERPUBLIC TO REFINANCE EXISTING DEBT WITH $500 MILLION
         PROCEEDS FROM ZERO-COUPON CONVERTIBLE SENIOR NOTES

         New York, NY (December 10, 2001)--The Interpublic Group of Companies,
         Inc. (NYSE: IPG) has announced its intention to refinance existing debt
         with $500 million of proceeds from the sale of unsecured zero-coupon
         convertible senior notes. The notes are expected to have a 20-year
         maturity and be redeemable at Interpublic's option beginning in 2006.
         Net proceeds from the offering will be used for the repayment of
         existing short-term and long-term indebtedness, general corporate
         purposes and working capital.

         "Interpublic is taking advantage of favorable market conditions to
         reduce its future borrowing costs," said Sean F. Orr, executive vice
         president and chief financial officer.

         The Interpublic Group of Companies is one of the world's leading
         organizations of advertising agencies and marketing services companies.
         Its four global operating groups are McCann-Erickson WorldGroup, The
         Partnership, FCB Group and Advanced Marketing Services. Major global
         brands include Draft Worldwide, Foote, Cone & Belding Worldwide,
         Golin/Harris International, Initiative Media, Lowe Worldwide,
         McCann-Erickson, Octagon, Universal McCann and Weber Shandwick.

                                      # # #

         The notes to be offered have not been and, at the time of the offering,
         will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, or any state
         securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States
         absent registration under, or an applicable exemption from, the
         registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and applicable
         state securities laws.

         This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a
         solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these
         securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer,
         solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or
         qualification under the securities law of any such state or
         jurisdiction.