Global Reporting Initiative Reports

GRI Indicator 415-1
Reporting Level Complete
Sustainable Development Goals

Total value of political contributions by country and recipient/beneficiary

Although personal political activity is welcome, as employees we may not make political contributions by or in the name of IPG or any of its subsidiaries.

Total value of political contributions by country and recipient/beneficiary

Source: IPG’s Code of Conduct (page 44)

Political Activities

Personal Political Activities

IPG Employees are all permitted to positively support our communities by participating in the political activities that interest us. However, we must be careful to uphold IPG’s reputation by only participating in such activities on our own time and at our own expense. We may not allow any campaign or candidate to use Interpublic funds or assets, equipment or trademarks. In addition, we should never use IPG’s name while taking part in these activities. We must never use our position of authority to make another employee feel compelled or pressured to participate in any way in any political event or cause, or for any political purpose.

Corporate Political Activities

Although personal political activity is welcome, as employees we may not make political contributions by or in the name of IPG or any of its subsidiaries. “Political contributions” include IPG funds and anything of value, including loans, contributions or use of goods, facilities, or services (except services which are part of the regular business activities of your agency). These restrictions apply not only to direct contributions made to individual candidates, political committees, or political parties, but also to indirect contributions that would ultimately be used to support individual candidates, political committees, or political parties, such as tickets to a fundraising dinner or similar event.

IPG’s Standard Policies and Procedures (SP&Ps) also address the issue of political contributions.  Specifically, IPG’s Anti-corruption policy, SP&P 309, states:

Due to the inherently sensitive nature of political contributions, you may not pay or furnish Company funds, facilities, or services of any kind to any candidate for public office, any political party or official thereof, any political action committee, or any political initiative, referendum, or other form of political campaign without prior approval from the Company’s General Counsel and Chief Risk Officer.

The foregoing restriction does not apply to political marketing and communications services or ordinary lobbying activities conducted by an agency whose regular business activities consist of such services or activities.

Nothing in this Policy shall preclude political contributions by Personnel from their personal funds and for personal reasons, but Personnel may not use personal funds to make any payments or contributions on behalf of, or for the benefit of, the Company.

These policies are in force for employees in all countries in which IPG operates