When global marketing leader Omnicom Group needed to transform its technology landscape across hundreds of agencies, it faced a formidable challenge: evolving from a holding company into a dynamic operating company while preserving the creative culture that drove its success.

Omnicom operates in over 70 countries through iconic agency networks. By 2018, its decentralized approach had created what the SVP and Global CIO of Omnicom Group, Craig Cuyar, calls "a labyrinth of standards and technology platforms" across 350 offices.

The challenge was immense: a mixed environment of 58,000 Windows and 48,000 Apple devices, over 20,000 contractors and multiple siloed technology organizations. "The fragmented technology landscape inhibited collaboration and our ability to deliver a standard and efficient model for IT services across the globe," Cuyar adds.

The transformation strategy centered on infrastructure modernization, digital workplace enhancement and security strengthening. Unisys began with workplace services in three countries — the U.S., Canada and the U.K. Success in these markets led to managing select data centers, and by year three, the relationship expanded globally.

"We started with some of the modern workplace services. ... Once we got comfortable working with Unisys, we were able to see them demonstrate competency across those markets. We have also expanded into other markets and service areas," explains Cuyar.

The results demonstrate both efficiency and strategic value. Cloud optimization delivered millions of dollars in savings over two years, while server footprint was reduced by 30%. Security patches deploy in a matter of days. Most importantly, ISO 27001 certification enhanced client trust.

"The ability to have a standardized set of technology operations has enabled us to deliver a consistent set of services to a global, internationally recognized standard that benefits our clients," Cuyar says.

"By delivering our services in a much more consistent manner centrally and globally, we have much greater agility than we had before," notes Cuyar. "Agility to react to changes in the industry, to changes in the threat landscape and to changes in client demand."

With a modernized cloud infrastructure supporting 80,000+ devices, centralized security controls and standardized operations across 70+ countries, Omnicom has transformed from a holding company into an integrated operating company. This new foundation enables rapid scaling for acquisitions, faster deployment of new technologies and more efficient resource allocation. As Cuyar emphasizes, "We can now focus our resources, our time, our people and our capital on the differentiating activities that drive revenue and increase client satisfaction."