Publicis Groupe makes a consolidation move in Romania with the acquisition of a 51 major share package in five affiliated agencies: Leo Burnett&Target, Starcom MediaVest Group, Optimedia,The Practice and iLeo. The estimated time for the completion of the transaction is the first quarter of 2014.
This move is also meant to promote the Publicis Groupe in Central and Eastern Europe.
“The development on the rapidly growing markets is a priority for the Group. This transaction is an important landmark and new proof of our commitment towards Central and Eastern Europe, where Romania is a key market,” according to Jean-Yves Naouri, Publicis Groupe COO & executive chairman Publicis Worldwide.
Leo Burnett&Target, Starcom MediaVest Group, Optimedia,The Practice and iLeo employ 150 communication experts and cover branding, digital communication, PR, media and creation activities. Among their main clients there are Avon Cosmetics, AXA Group, GlaxoSmithKline, Heineken, H&M, Kraft Foods, Novartis Sandoz, OMV Petrom, Procter & Gamble, Samsung and SanofiAventis.
Teddy C. Dumitrescu and Stefan Iordache will continue to lead the Romanian operations as CEOs, with the former also taking the role of country chairman of Publicis Groupe in Romania. The management of the agencies will remain the same and report to Tomasz Pawlikowski, chief executive officer for Central and Eastern Europe Publicis Worldwide.
“With this new footprint, we are enhancing our commitment to the Romanian market, a market in rapid growth and an important landmark in regional creativity,” said Pawlikowski.
Otilia Haraga