• by Larissa Faw , June 29, 2015

Publicis Groupe said Monday that Publicis Worldwide CEO Arthur Sadoun has been given the added responsibility for overseeing the holding company’s PR operation MSLGroup. Sadoun, who is considered a leading candidate to succeed Maurice Levy as CEO of Publicis Groupe when he steps down in 2017, has been running its namesake agency as global CEO for nearly two years.

“This announcement is in line with our strategy for transformation, integration and simplification of our structures," says Levy. "I am convinced that this operation will allow us to improve our service offering for our clients thanks to further integration and that it will be beneficial for all of the Groupe’s networks."

But Levy also said the realignment was not about “merging MSLGroup with Publicis Worldwide.” While both entities will report to Sadoun, his task now is to “leverage MSLGroup’s skills to develop a new integrated approach.”

Levy also praised Sadoun for his recent accomplishments.

"Under Arthur’s leadership, our main network’s growth has bounced back, Nurun’s well-handled integration [the tech and design was acquired last year] is bearing fruit and Publicis Worldwide’s modern approach bodes well for MSLGROUP’s development."

Former MSLGroup President Olivier Fleurot will move upstairs to join PublicisGroupe as senior vice president. In this new role, Olivier will head communications, corporate social responsibility (CSR), real estate, insurance and other areas. His new role begins on Sept. 1.