This Acquisition Strengthens Publicis Groupe Digital Activities With the
Rapidly Increasing Number of Chinese Internet Users
PARIS, May 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Publicis Groupe today announced
that it has acquired the Shanghai-based full-service digital marketing
agency, EmporioAsia. Effective immediately, the agency will rebrand as
EmporioAsia Leo Burnett with current CEO Vincent Kobler heading the renamed
agency. Operating alongside Arc under the Leo Burnett China umbrella, the
acquisition immediately boosts the multinational agency's strategic,
production and creative capabilities in the fast-growing digital sphere.
Specialising in among others, online strategy and creative (websites,
rich media, eDM); Search Marketing and Analytics, EmporioAsia has been
recognised previously as China's Best Interactive Marketing Agency, as well
as one of Asia Pacific's top specialist marketers. Clients include Hilton
Hotels, China Eastern Airlines, Philips, Shangri-la Hotels, Parrot and ING
bank. Founded in 1999, the agency has 35 staff. It is today one of the
leading digital agencies in China.
China boasted 150 million Internet users in 2007, and is predicted to
surpass the U.S. next year in terms of absolute numbers of people online.
Today, online ads capture around 2% of ad spend in China, compared to
4-5% in the U.S. The growth potential for the medium is clearly huge: While
roughly half of the U.S. population is actively using the Internet today,
between just 10 and 15% of the Chinese population is currently plugged in.
"The acquisition of EmporioAsia confirms our commitment to strengthening
the Publicis Groupe presence in digital and emerging markets. The talent and
expertise of EmporioAsia will help us maintain a leading edge in what is
largely considered to be one of the most promising advertising markets in the
world," said Maurice Levy, Chairman and CEO of Publicis Groupe.
Forthcoming AGM: June 3, 2008 at 10 a.m. (Publiciscinemas)
Publicis Groupe Digital Day: June 25, 2008 (Paris)
Publicis Groupe is the world's fourth largest communications group. In
addition, it is ranked as the world's second largest media counsel and buying
group, and is a global leader in digital and healthcare communications. With
activities spanning 104 countries on five continents, the Groupe employs
approximately 44,000 professionals.
The Groupe offers local and international clients a complete range of
communication services, through three autonomous global advertising networks,
Leo Burnett, Publicis, Saatchi & Saatchi and two multi-hub networks, Fallon
and 49%-owned Bartle Bogle Hegarty; to media consultancy and buying, through
two worldwide networks, Starcom MediaVest Group and ZenithOptimedia;
interactive and digital marketing led by Digitas; Specialized Agencies and
Marketing Services offering healthcare communications, corporate and
financial communications, sustainability communications, shopper marketing,
public relations, CRM and direct marketing, event and sports marketing, and
multicultural communications.
Web Site: http://www.publicisgroupe.com
Leo Burnett Worldwide comprising the Leo Burnett brand agency and
marketing partner Arc Worldwide, is one of the world's largest agency
networks and a subsidiary of Publicis Groupe, the world's fourth-largest
communications company. Leo Burnett holds people at the center of its
strategic thinking, technological innovation and creative ideas, focusing
first and foremost on human behavior before attempting to tell a brand's
story.
With this approach, Leo Burnett ensures that people who buy into client
brands believe in them all the more. With expertise in mass advertising and
digital, promotional and retail marketing, Leo Burnett partners with
blue-chip clients such as The Coca-Cola Company, Diageo, Kellogg, McDonald's,
Procter & Gamble and Samsung. The company has won more advertising awards for
campaign effectiveness than any other agency in the last six years in the
U.S., has been heralded as a "pioneer on the frontier of marketing" and
continues to be ranked as one of the world's top five creatively awarded
networks worldwide.
Web Site: http:// www.leoburnett.com
SOURCE Publicis Groupe Services
CONTACTS: Publicis Groupe: Peggy Nahmany, External Communications:
+33(0)1-44-43-72-83; Martine Hue, Investors Relations: +33(0)1-44-43-65-00;
Leo Burnett Worldwide: Trudi Harris +33(0)6-13-73-83-02, EmporioAsia Leo
Burnett: John Hong +86-13-70-122-43-86; Jessica Lee +852-9197-9036
