Publicis Groupe posts 9.2 per cent global organic growth in Q3

Publicis Groupe, which includes Publicis Worldwide, Saatchi & Saatchi, Leo Burnett, Fallon, Vivaki and MS&L, has reported a year-on-year global organic growth of 9.2 per cent to US$1.81 billion (EUR1.3 billion). This marks a welcome departure from the 7.4 per cent decrease for the same period in 2009. 

In terms of revenue earned for the first nine months of the year, Publicis Groupe registered U$5.3 billion (EUR3.9 billion) with net revenue from new business contributing US$4.8 billion on the balance sheet. Organic growth for the first three quarters of 2010 comes to 6.6 per cent. 

North America drives the growth with a 12 per cent increase in organic growth and a 36.5 per cent increase in year-on-year revenue. Asia-Pacific and Latin America both recorded a 9.8 per cent increase in organic growth with a year-on-year revenue increase of 31.9 per cent and 21.7 per cent respectively.

China is one of the main drivers in the Asia-Pacific region, claiming 24.8 per cent of the region's overall US$207 million (EUR151 million) in revenue for Q3. Revenue for the first nine months is US$599 million (EUR346 million). 

Africa and the Middle East grew organically with 6.5 per cent and Europe with 5 per cent, driven by France and the UK. The figures for Germany are still negative.

Maurice Lévy (pictured), chairman and CEO of Publicis Groupe, said in the statement, “A further indication that we are making the right investment choices is our strong performance in the BRIC countries, where revenue growth is up 15.6 per cent.”

News in the region for Publicis Groupe this year include acquisition of the remaining capital of Leo Burnett, Wieden+Kennedy and G4 Advertising in China. Also, MS&L acquiring 20:20 Media and 2020Social in India.