• May 4, 2006

Noting that, "The year has gotten off to a very good start," Publicis Groupe Chairman-CEO Maurice Levy this morning announced a 6.3 percent organic growth rate during the first quarter of 2006, due largely to a combination of new business and growth from existing clients. That compares with an organic growth rate of just 4 percent during the first quarter of 2005. Gross revenues rose 12 percent, buoyed by $2.2 billion in new business gains including Macy's and Comcast's U.S. media accounts. Levy added that the global ad marketplace remains "favorable," with especially strong growth in the U.S. and China, as well as incremental stimulus from the Football World Cup. "In these circumstances, we confirm our full-year organic growth and earnings forecasts," he said.