Publicis Groupe chalks up 8.6% UK revenue growth

By Daniel Farey-Jones, campaignlive.co.uk, Thursday, 19 April 2012 09:39AM

Publicis Groupe has reported 8.6% growth in UK revenues for the first quarter as digital's share of its overall €1.45bn (£1.19bn) revenues overtook advertising's share.

Publicis chief executive Maurice Lévy

The French group, headed by chairman and chief executive Maurice Lévy, has boosted its top line with a series of acquisitions over the past year, including UK direct agency Kitcatt Nohr.

Overall revenues were up 12.9% year on year but organic revenue growth – excluding acquisitions, disposals and currency fluctuations – was lower, at 4.1%.

Lévy said he believed the second half of the year would see "stronger and steadier growth" than the first half.

For the first time digital services accounted for a greater share of the group’s revenue than advertising (33% to 31%).

Digital grew by 15.6% on an organic basis and there was double-digit organic growth in the BRIC markets and what Publicis referred to as MISSAT (Mexico, Indonesia, Singapore, South Africa and Turkey).

Lévy said: "This is further evidence that the Groupe has made the right strategic investment decisions. We will continue to give pride of place to digital activities and high-growth markets."

This article was first published on campaignlive.co.uk