Omnicom to bring Weber Shandwick Australia in-house from November

Omnicom will bring Weber Shandwick Australia directly into its Oceania operation from November, ending the PR agency's existing affiliate model as the integration of Interpublic's businesses continues.

From 20 November, Weber Shandwick will operate within Omnicom Oceania's earned media capabilities business, giving clients access to a broader operation spanning PR, social, creators and activation, Omnicom confirmed.

The move follows last week's announcement that Weber Shandwick Australia's existing leadership team are going independent with a new AI-focused comms agency VOCAL, with foundation clients across corporate, technology, healthcare and consumer sectors.

The developments provide a clearer picture of the shake-out underway following Omnicom's acquisition of Interpublic: the existing Australian affiliate business is charting an independent future, while the Weber Shandwick brand will move inside Omnicom Oceania.

Exactly how clients and staff will be divided between the two operations has not been disclosed.

“Following Omnicom’s acquisition of Interpublic Group, Weber Shandwick will transition from an affiliate arrangement to a Weber Shandwick operation within Omnicom Oceania from 20 November 2026,” an Omnicom Oceania spokesperson said.

“As part of this transition, Weber Shandwick will operate within Omnicom Oceania’s earned media capabilities business, providing clients with access to a broader integrated team spanning PR, social, creators and activation.”

Weber Shandwick's unusual Australian structure dates back to 2021, when the local Weber Shandwick and Jack Morton businesses were sold to management, with Interpublic retaining a minority stake and the Australian operation continuing to use the Weber Shandwick global brand under an affiliate agreement.

Omnicom inherited that arrangement through its acquisition of Interpublic earlier this year, which also brought Weber Shandwick globally into the enlarged Omnicom Public Relations portfolio alongside FleishmanHillard, Golin, Ketchum and other agency brands.

The November change will effectively separate the Weber Shandwick brand from the independently operated Australian business that has represented it locally for the past five years.

Questions remain over the make-up of the new Weber Shandwick operation inside Omnicom Oceania, including its leadership, client roster and staffing.

Omnicom said its focus until the November transition would be maintaining continuity for clients and staff, with further details to be announced closer to the transition date.