Paris-based advertising and communications behemoth Publicis Groupe has signalled its intent to fully acquire regional outfit Publicis Graphics.
The buyout will build on the majority share already owned by the Public Groupe since it bought the Middle East network under its Publicis Worlwide umbrella in 1999. The move comes on the back of March’s announcement that Jean-Yves Naouri will take the helm as executive chairman, Publicis Worldwide, replacing incumbent Richard Pinder, who had been chief operating officer since 2006. Pinder was at this year’s Dubai Lynx with Contagious Communications’ Paul Kemp-Robertson.
Speaking of the changes, Maurice Levy, chairman and CEO of Publicis Groupe, said: “I have appointed Jean-Yves Naouri as executive chairman of Publicis Worldwide, marking a new chapter in the development of the founding network of our Groupe. The Publicis Worldwide network has incredible potential and we must power its development even further. I have asked Jean-Yves, who has demonstrated his abilities in all tasks undertaken to date, to take on the
ambitious challenge of accelerating Publicis Worldwide’s growth and speeding up its shift to digital so as to make it the most modern and best-connected network in the industry. Above all we want to give our clients the best in terms of innovation, creativity and holistic communication services. I am fully confident that Jean-Yves will succeed in this role.”
The deal will be finalised subject to Publicis Groupe and Publicis Graphics’ minority shareholders agreeing on the terms and conditions of the buy out. Publicis Graphics has presence in 12 regional cities and a client base which includes Mercedes, L’Oreal, McVities, Nestle, Panasonic and Renault.
