Publicis Wins China Mobile Account; Lay-Offs In The US
30 January 2009 - 3:48AM
Dow Jones News
French advertising group Publicis SA (13057.FR) Thursday said
its ZenithOptimedia agency secured the China Mobile (0941.HK)
account, but it also announced lay-offs at agencies Leo Burnett and
Starcom Mediavest in the U.S.
China Mobile's advertising budget is estimated to exceed $100
million in 2009, a person familiar with the situation told Dow
Jones Newswires.
Publicis won the account in a pitch against WPP's (WPP.LN)
MindShare, Aegis' (AGS.LN) Carat, and Interpublic's (IPG) Universal
McCann, Publicis said.
This is the second account win for Publicis in 2009. On Sunday,
Publicis announced a contract with the French retail giant
Carrefour SA (12017.FR).
This account, which includes corporate and commercial
communications worldwide, is estimated to be worth about EUR1
billion, the person also said.
A large part of Carrefour's media account was previously held by
French rival Havas (12188.FR).
Meantime, two of Publicis' agencies said they are going to lay
off staff, a Publicis spokesperson said.
Leo Burnett will cut about 73 jobs and Starcom Mediavest about
70.
Last month, U.S.-based digital agency Digitas announced plans to
cut 70 jobs in the U.S.
Company Web site: www.publicisgroupe.fr
-By Ruth Bender, Dow Jones Newswires; +33 1 40 17 17 40;
ruth.bender@dowjones.com
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