MAM
EU waves through Omnicom–IPG megamerger
BRUSSELS: The EU has handed Omnicom a clean bill of health for its $13.25bn all-stock takeover of Interpublic Group, firing the starting gun on the creation of the world’s largest advertising network at a time when traditional agencies are scrambling to keep pace with Big Tech and the AI arms race.
In a decision published today, the European Commission said it had “approved unconditionally” the merger after finding no competition concerns across the European Economic Area. The ruling removes the final regulatory roadblock, with the holding groups expected to seal the deal globally within days.
Omnicom unveiled the acquisition last December, touting some $750m in cost savings and a sweeping restructuring that is expected to ditch long-standing agency brands as the two giants fuse into a single, heavyweight operator. The deal leapfrogs the combined group ahead of Publicis and WPP on revenues, resetting the global pecking order in adland.
Regulators in America and Britain signed off earlier—Britain’s CMA in August and the US Federal Trade Commission in September—leaving Brussels as the last stop.
IPG has been slashing overheads ahead of the tie-up, shedding 3,200 staff this year and shrinking its global real-estate footprint by 730,000 square feet, according to its latest SEC filing.
With Brussels now on board, Omnicom is poised to pull the trigger—and adland is bracing for its biggest shake-up in decade.
Brands
Hyundai and TVS Motor partner to develop electric three wheelers
Joint development pact targets last mile mobility with localisation push
MUMBAI: Three wheels, one big ambition and a charge towards the future. Hyundai Motor Company and TVS Motor Company have signed a joint development agreement to co-create electric three-wheelers (E3Ws), aiming to crack India’s complex last-mile mobility puzzle. The collaboration moves beyond concept talk into execution mode, building on the E3W prototype first showcased at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. The goal now is clear, design, develop and commercialise a purpose-built vehicle tailored to Indian roads, riders and realities.
Under the agreement, Hyundai will lead design and co-development, bringing its global R&D muscle and human-centric engineering approach to the table. TVS Motor, meanwhile, will anchor the product on its electric platform, leveraging deep three-wheeler expertise and local market insight. It will also handle manufacturing and sales in India, with an eye on exports down the line.
The timing is strategic. India remains the world’s largest three-wheeler market, where affordability, durability and adaptability often outweigh sheer innovation. The upcoming E3W aims to strike that balance combining advanced technology with practical features such as adaptive ground clearance for monsoon-hit roads, improved thermal management for tropical climates, and flexible interiors suited for passengers, cargo or emergency use.
A key pillar of the partnership is localisation. Major components will be sourced and manufactured within India, a move expected to strengthen the domestic supply chain, create jobs, lower costs and improve after-sales support.
The shift from prototype to production will involve rigorous testing, certification and refinement to meet regulatory standards and consumer expectations. Dedicated cross-functional teams from both companies are already in place to accelerate timelines.
At a broader level, the tie-up reflects a growing trend in mobility, global players partnering with local specialists to navigate emerging markets. For Hyundai and TVS, the bet is that combining scale with street-level insight could unlock a new chapter in sustainable urban transport, one that runs not just on electricity, but on relevance.
