Interpublic Group’s UM has been trumped in L’Oreal’s mammoth eight-month media agency review, with the incumbent agency losing the $870m US TV, print and digital planning and buying contract to WPP’s MEC.

L’Oreal, the owner of cosmetics brands such as Lancome and worth an estimated $20bn, reportedly made the decision to cut costs and update agencies with the latest marketing techniques.

IPG will continue to handle the creative account. However, the media account represented around $9m revenue last year, according to reports.

“MEC brings a shared vision for the future of our ever-changing business, strong digital expertise and leadership with truly integrated teams built for us, and the tools and technology to develop Omnimedia solutions,” said L’Oreal USA senior vice president of omnimedia, strategic investments and creative solutions Nadine Karp McHugh.

GroupM agency MEC already held planning responsibilities for Lancome and some designer fragrance brands prior to the review.

Incumbent Publicis’ DigitasLBI which was responsible for L’Oreal digital buying also lost the account to MEC, as did Optimedia for planning responsibilities on brands such as Garneir, L’Oreal Paris and Maybelline.

The news comes as a further blow to Publicis, following its loss of the P&G account earlier in the week.

“We are delighted by the appointment and the opportunity to expand upon our already strong relationship with L’Oreal,” said MEC chief executive for North America Marla Kaplowitz.

L’Oreal spent an estimated $1.4bn on traditional media and online display ads in the US in 2014.