• August 11, 2003

Publicis Group, parent company of Zenith Optimedia and Starcom MediaVest Group, said Monday afternoon that it earned 1.87 billion Euros ($2.12 billion US) in the first half of 2003, up slightly over the first half of 2002. Publicis' results also encompass the consolidation of Bcom3, which the company acquired in September 2002. The Paris-based ad conglomerate also owns Saatchi & Saatchi Worldwide, Leo Burnett Worldwide plus portions of Fallon Worldwide and Bartle Bogle Hegarty. Year-over-year, Publicis reported a 3.7% decline in business in Europe but slight increases in North America and Asia-Pacific. Publicis won more than $2.1 billion in new business in the first half, including $1.12 billion for in media buying and consultancy. New business included Miramax, Leapfrog and Western Wireless for ZenithOptimedia and Gateway Computers, DirectTV and Heinz Frozen Foods in the United States. "While markets remain hesitant, Publicis has seen a return to organic growth for the first time in nearly two years," said Maurice Levy, chairman and chief executive officer of Publicis Group SA. "This highly encouraging result is first and foremost the reflection of our inherent strengths that include a clearly defined strategy, the dynamism of our teams and an unmatched capacity for smooth integration of new acquisitions."