Publicis Friday confirmed reports that John Perriss would soon step down as CEO of Zenith Optimedia Group and said it has "identified a successor" who would be named in "due course." "John's departure
is not a surprise," stated Roger Haupt, president-COO of Publicis, noting that Perriss has made his plans known for some time, but has remained on board to "carefully map out a succession plan." The
statement made no allusions to a rumored reorganization of the media network that would bring it into closer alignment with Publicis' Starcom MediaVest Group.