Nov 3, 2011

Publicis Groupe acquires 100 per cent of Chinese digital agency Wangfan

SHANGHAI - Digital agency Wangfan has been acquired by Publicis Groupe for an undisclosed sum, as part of Publicis' two-year plan to double its size in China.

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Publicis Groupe acquires 100 per cent of Chinese digital agency Wangfan

The Chinese digital agency, specialising in interactive campaigns, web branding and design, boasts Puma and Shanghai General Motors among its clients. Founded in 1997, Wangfan has projected revenue growth of 16 per cent in 2011.

The acquisition, which is still subject to approval from relevant authorities, is part of Publicis Groupe’s overall strategy of boosting income from emerging economies as well as from the digital sector.

In the past year, Publicis has acquired four other Chinese agencies: Genedigi (June 2011), Dreams (May 2011), Interactive Communications (February 2011), and Eastwei Relations (November 2010).

The 61 staff members of Wangfan will become part of Publicis Shanghai’s digital arm, Publicis Modem Shanghai. Wangfan's chief executive Bill Wang will be managing director of the digital division.

"Now that we’ll be operating from within a major international communications group we can sharpen some new skills and put them at the service of our clients. It’s a win-win move for all of us,” Wang said.

Jean-Yves Naouri, chief operating officer and chairman of China Publicis Groupe, added, "China is a core priority for us. It's a market where we aim to be perceived as essential interlocutors. Wangfan began as (digital) pioneers and have kept moving ahead of the creative and technological wave in the ongoing digital boom."

Source:

Campaign China