Publicis in Sale Talks?

According to reports in UK media, Paris-headquartered marketing group Publicis has been holding talks with a private equity firm regarding the possible sale of all or a part of the group.

Publicis comprises four 'business hubs': Communications, Media, Health, and digital business transformation specialist Sapient. In 2019, the group acquired US data company Epsilon from Alliance Data Systems Corp for $3.95 billion.

According to ad industry publication Campaign, multiple sources claim there is interest from a 'European-based' private equity firm, with one suggesting that a face-to-face meeting had taken place between Publicis and the investor in December. The private equity firm is believed to be the Luxembourg-based CVC Capital Partners, although the company said it does not comment on 'rumours', and a spokesperson for Publicis Groupe in Paris declined to comment.

The group, which employs around 80,000 people and is led by CEO Arthur Sadoun (pictured), is online at: www.publicisgroupe.com .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.