• by Joe Mandese  @mp_joemandese, September 12, 2007

Paris-based Publicis Groupe, the parent of Starcom MediaVest Group, Zenith Optimedia and a burgeoning digital media network sparked by its acquisition of Digitas early this year, is expanding its interactive arsenal with the acquisition of Wcube, France's leading Independent Internet communications shop.

The acquisition, announced early this morning, is part of a broader strategic plan to remake Publicis into the world's largest digital advertising services organization that began with the acquisition of Digitas and the acceleration of internal interactive growth.

Publicis said Wcube would immediately be re-branded as Publicis Modem France, signaling a global expansion for Publicis Modem, the global digital network that became part of Publicis Worldwide last May, working alongside the Publicis Dialog marketing services network.

Publicis Modem France will be managed by Xavier Gury and Thierry Vandewalle, the current co-presidents of Wcube. They will report to Philippe Lentschener, CEO, Publicis France, and on a global interactive basis to Martin Reidy, CEO of Publicis Modem and Publicis Dialog. Publicis Worldwide clients in France will now be able to call upon Publicis Modem's renowned talent and expertise.