The Rise of the FMS: How Omnicom Built a Next-Gen Contingent Workforce Ecosystem
At CWS Summit North America 2026, YunoJuno hosted a panel on one of the biggest shifts in contingent workforce management: the move from vendor management tools to Freelancer Management Systems (FMS) that sit at the center of workforce strategy.
Moderated by Joao Martires, YunoJuno's Chief Operating Officer, the session brought together Paul Labelle, Senior Director, Category Management, Contingent Labor at Omnicom Group and Bernie Caputo, President at Atrium Works to walk through a real program: OmniWorks, the contingent workforce ecosystem built by Omnicom, Atrium and YunoJuno.
Moving beyond spreadsheets and manual, fragmented approaches the conversation showed what it actually takes to bring an enterprise level extended workforce under control through one connected ecosystem.
Key takeaways
FMS is the front door to the extended workforce
The panel made clear that the FMS has moved well beyond vendor oversight. Leading enterprises now position it as the front door to their extended workforce, the single point through which talent is engaged, onboarded and managed. The result is one connected view of contingent work across every team and geography.
Complementary layers deliver the strongest outcomes
The FMS provides the data and control layer, delivering visibility, compliance and consistent process across the program. The MSP brings the strategic layer on top, translating that data into sourcing decisions and program guidance. Combined, the two layers give enterprises both operational control and strategic direction.
High-value contractors are driving adoption
Organizations that rely on high-value independent contractors are adopting FMS to accelerate go-to-market and shorten time-to-value. For these businesses, the speed of engaging specialist talent has a direct impact on commercial performance. A compliant, efficient engagement process has therefore become a strategic priority.
Media & Advertising, Technology and Professional Services lead the way
Adoption is strongest across Media & Advertising, Technology and professional services. These sectors share a reliance on specialist, project-based expertise, and their programs offer a clear view of where the wider market is heading.
The model is already delivering value
Omnicom's program, delivered in partnership with Atrium Works and YunoJuno, shows this model operating in a live, multi-partner environment. Paul Labelle and Bernie Caputo's insights confirmed that the next generation of contingent workforce strategy is already in place and delivering value for the enterprise.
What this means for workforce leaders
The organizations making real progress are not choosing between an MSP, an FMS, an AOR or an EOR. They are building ecosystems where each partner has a clear role, the technology works seamlessly in the background, and the end user only sees one experience. As OmniWorks expands beyond the US and UK, that same model is being tested country by country.
What Contingent Workforce Leaders told us in 2026
Delegates who registered for CWS Summit North America 2026 shared the challenges at the top of their agenda. Here's what stood out.
- 51% are focused on increasing efficiency. Manual processes and fragmented systems are slowing teams down at a time when the business expects speed.
- 47% are managing risk. Worker classification and compliance remain front of mind, and several delegates flagged identity and candidate fraud as an emerging concern.
- 44% are working on program expansion and adoption. Bringing new business units, regions and worker types into the program is the next big step for many.
- 41% say controlling costs is a priority. Leaders need to show where the money is going and where savings can be found.
- 41% want to optimize program performance. Better insight into what is working, and what is not, is driving the conversation.
- 33% need to demonstrate continued ROI and value. Programs are still making the case to senior stakeholders.
- 24% are focused on maximizing quality of talent and the contractor experience.
- 18% flag talent acquisition as a core challenge, particularly for specialist skills.
Compared with Europe, where cost control led the list, North American leaders put efficiency and risk first. The common thread is the same: visibility, governance and good data are what make everything else possible, from rate harmonization to scaling globally.
YunoJuno is built for exactly this. A single platform that gives procurement, HR and finance teams the visibility and control to manage their contractor workforce compliantly, efficiently and at scale.
Go deeper: Independent research on the FMS market
In our custom research with Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA), we explored how modern FMS platforms are transforming the way enterprise organizations source, manage and pay their external workforce. The findings are practical, data-led and directly relevant to the challenges delegates shared at the summit.
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