Publicis Groupe :Acquisition of 75.1% of Walker Media
(Thomson Reuters ONE) -
PUBLICIS GROUPE ACQUIRES 75.1% OF WALKER MEDIA
Publicis Groupe (Euronext Paris: FR0000130577) announced today the acquisition
of Walker Media in the UK. M&C Saatchi, the current owner of Walker Media, will
retain a 24.9% shareholding.
Walker Media was formed in 1998 by Christine Walker and Phil Georgiadis, and
today counts over 130 employees. It is one of the leading independent media
agencies in the UK, retaining a place in the top 10 UK media agency ranking, and
commanding a list of long-standing blue chip clients, including Marks & Spencer,
Dixons Group, KFC, Halfords and Weetabix.
Under the terms of the agreement, Walker Media will become part of the
ZenithOptimedia Group. It will remain as a separate agency in the UK, and will
be a key cornerstone of a new global media network that will sit within the
ZenithOptimedia Group. The new network will be launched in 2014.
The Walker Media board will be comprised of:
* Phil Georgiadis, Chairman, Walker Media
* Simon Davis, CEO, Walker Media
* Steve King, CEO, Worldwide, ZenithOptimedia
* Adrian Sayliss, COO, Worldwide, ZenithOptimedia
* David Kershaw, CEO, M&C Saatchi
* Jamie Hewitt, Group Finance Director, M&C Saatchi
The new ZenithOptimedia Group in the UK will be comprised of: Zenith, Optimedia,
ZenithOptimedia Worldwide, Walker Media, Performics (digital performance
marketing), Newcast (branded content), Ninah (analytics) and Sponsorship
Intelligence. The group will count more than 500 employees.
Steve King, CEO Worldwide, ZenithOptimedia said, "Walker Media is the biggest
and most successful independent media agency in the UK and we are absolutely
delighted to welcome them to the ZenithOptimedia family. The agency was built
and developed on the principle of client centricity and its incredible success
is testament to this. I have known Phil Georgiadis for many years and I couldn't
think of a better person to lead our new media network in the UK."
Phil Georgiadis, Chairman, Walker Media, said, "Simon and I feel the time is
right to expand our offering globally whilst keeping our core proposition
intact, and we identified ZenithOptimedia as an organisation who could support
that vision brilliantly. We are delighted with the prospect of being part of the
ZenithOptimedia Group and of being the UK agency of an exciting new
international network brand."
David Kershaw, CEO, M&C Saatchi, said, "This new network will be of great value
to our worldwide client base. Walker Media will benefit from the geographic
reach and scale opportunities within ZenithOptimedia and Publicis Groupe whilst
importantly retaining the spirit of the Walker Media brand."
About Publicis Groupe
Publicis Groupe [Euronext Paris FR0000130577, CAC 40] is one of the world's
leading communications groups. We offer the full range of services and skills:
digital (DigitasLBi, Razorfish, Rosetta, VivaKi), creative services (BBH, Leo
Burnett, Publicis Worldwide, Saatchi & Saatchi), public affairs, corporate
communications and events (MSLGROUP), media strategy, planning and buying
(Starcom MediaVest Group and ZenithOptimedia) and healthcare communications,
with Publicis Healthcare Communications Group (PHCG). Present in 108 countries,
the Groupe employs 60,000 professionals.
www.publicisgroupe.com | Twitter:(at)PublicisGroupe | Facebook:
www.facebook.com/publicisgroupe | Linkedin: Publicis Groupe |
http://www.youtube.com/user/PublicisGroupe |Viva la Difference !
About ZenithOptimedia
ZenithOptimedia - www.zenithoptimedia.com - is a leading global media services
network with 250 offices in 74 countries. We are part of Publicis Groupe, the
world's third largest communications group, and the world's second largest media
counsel and buying group. As the first agency to apply a rigorous and objective
approach to improving the effectiveness of marketing spend, ZenithOptimedia
delivers to clients the best possible return on their communications investment.
This philosophy is supported by a unique approach to strategy development and
implementation - the Live ROI planning process. The ZenithOptimedia Group of
companies equips our clients with a full range of integrated skills across
communications planning, value optimisation, performance media and content
creation. Our Key clients include Armani Group, ASUS, Aviva, Bacardi-Martini,
BBC Worldwide, Electrolux, General Mills, Lactalis, LVMH, Nestlé, News
Corporation, L'Oréal, Oracle, Puma, Qantas, Reckitt Benckiser, Richemont Group,
Royal Bank of Scotland, Sanofi, SCA, Telefónica O2, Toyota/Lexus, Verizon and
Whirlpool.
www.zenithoptimedia.com | Twitter:(at)ZenithOptimedia | Facebook:
www.facebook.com/zenithoptimedia | Linkedin: ZenithOptimedia | The ROI Agency
About M&C Saatchi
M&C Saatch is is a global marketing services business working across a wide
variety of industry sectors. We are a federation of entrepreneurs, built through
start-ups and owner managers with 26 offices in 18 countries all united by our
commitment to our philosophy: Brutal Simplicity of Thought.
www.mcsaatchi.com | Twitter: (at)MCSaatchiLondon | Facebook:
www.facebook.com/MC.SAATCHI.WORLDWIDE | LinkedIn: M&C-Saatchi
Contacts
Publicis Groupe
Corporate + 33 (0)1
Peggy Nahmany Communications 44 43 72 83
Investor + 33 (0)1
Martine Hue Relations 44 43 65 00
Investor + 33 (0)1
Stéphanie Constand-Atellian Relations 44 43 74 44
ZenithOptimedia
Communications + 44 (0)20
Tim Collison Director 7961 1126
M&C Saatchi
Lucy Legh
Tulchan +44 (0)20
Susanna Voyle Communications 7353 4200
This announcement is distributed by GlobeNewswire on behalf of
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(i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and
other applicable laws; and
(ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and
originality of the information contained therein.
Source: Publicis Groupe via GlobeNewswire
[HUG#1746296]
Unternehmensinformation / Kurzprofil:
Datum: 28.11.2013 - 08:00 Uhr
Sprache: Deutsch
News-ID 321032
Anzahl Zeichen: 7632
contact information:
Town:
Paris
Kategorie:
Business News
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