• February 8, 2006

Publicis Groupe, the Paris-based parent of Starcom MediaVest Group and ZenithOptimedia Group, Tuesday reported strong fourth-quarter results, record net new business gains for 2005, and a positive outlook for 2006. Publicis, which will not report its final 2005 earnings until March 3, said its net business wins reached an all-time high of $9.8 billion in 2005, promising "healthy growth in all areas of business and in all geographical markets in 2006." Chairman-CEO Maurice Levy specifically cited the growth in healthcare communications, as well as "growing momentum of holistic communications" as catalysts for Publicis' growth. He also said firmer advertising markets in some key European markets including France and German, as well as stimulus from major sporting events such as the Football World Cup and the Winter Olympics, "will provide added impetus." Consolidated revenues for the group rose 7.7 percent to $5.129 billion in 2005.