PARIS, June 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ —

Publicis Groupe (EURONEXT Paris:
FR0000130577) announced today it has signed an agreement to acquire
Genedigi Group, one of China’s largest independent public relations
and marketing communications agencies. Genedigi will be aligned
with MSLGROUP, Publicis Groupe’s flagship specialty communications,
public relations and events network. Genedigi will maintain its
current name and continue to operate under the leadership of its
founder Mr. Xiao Jun and his existing management team. Terms of the
transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 1997, Genedigi Group employs 400 communications
professionals across public relations, event marketing, digital
marketing and an in-house market research center. Working with both
domestic Chinese and foreign brands, Genedigi supports more than 50
clients across its offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Its
clients include market leaders across China’s high growth
industries, including automotive, fast-moving consumer goods
(FMCG), information technology (IT), home appliances, banking and
financial services. Xiao Jun, Chairman Genedigi Group, will report
to Glenn Osaki, President of MSLGROUP Asia.

Through this strategic development, MSLGROUP becomes the largest
public relations network in Greater China. With industry-leading
PR, events and social media capabilities tailored to both
multinational and Chinese clients, MSLGROUP Greater China now
includes more than 650 staff across 11 offices in mainland China,
Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Olivier Fleurot, Chief Executive Officer, MSLGROUP said,
“We are honored to have Genedigi, one of
China‘s largest and most respected Chinese PR
agencies, join the MSLGROUP family. This move reflects our
commitment to offering clients solutions that are tailored to the
Chinese market and to supporting fast-growing domestic
industries.“

Xiao Jun, Chairman, Genedigi Group, and member of the MSLGROUP
Greater China Management Board, commented, “At its core,
this is a win-win partnership. MSLGROUP will provide a leading
international network for our clients, and our joining will further
enhance MSLGROUP‘s capabilities and make it the true
market leader in Greater China.“

Today’s announcement is the latest in a series of China agency
additions that includes Dreams (May 2011), Interactive
Communications Ltd (ICL) (February 2011), and Eastwei Relations
(November 2010). It is in line with Publicis Groupe’s strategy to
increase its revenue derived from emerging markets to 30% over the
next three years (from 22.7% in 2010), with China at its core and
where Publicis Groupe has set an objective to double its size.
According to ZenithOptimedia forecasts, ad expenditure rose by
16.9% in 2010 in China, and further double-digit growth is expected
every year in the coming years.

Jean-Yves Naouri, Publicis Groupe COO and Chairman of China
Publicis Groupe, added that “China is a top strategic
priority for us. I am particularly pleased with the
addition of Genedigi, which will allow us to become a
market leader in PR. It is yet another sign of our strong
commitment to China. We will continue making
significant investments across this promising market
and we are on course to achieve our ambitious objectives,
enabling us to offer best in class services to help our top
multinational and Chinese clients as they grow in China, while
significantly expanding our reach of Chinese cities and
clients.“

Shanghai Genedigi Brand Management Co Ltd. (Genedigi Group)
location:
6F, EasyHome Tower, No. 3 Dongzhimen South Avenue, Beijing, China
100007
+86-10-5769-1000
Mr. Xiao Jun, Chairman, Genedigi Group
http://www.genedigi.com

About MSLGROUP

MSLGROUP is one of the world’s top 5 PR and events networks.
With more than 2,900 people, its offices span 22 countries
and cover virtually every discipline required for clients to engage
creatively with their audiences. Adding affiliates and partners
into the equation, MSLGROUP’s reach increases to 4,500 employees in
83 countries. The group offers clients strategic advice,
insight-guided thinking and big, compelling ideas – followed by
thorough execution. MSLGROUP is Publicis Groupe’s flagship PR
and Events network.

Website: http://www.mslgroup.com|
Twitter: @MSL_GROUP

About Publicis Groupe

Publicis Groupe [listed on the Euronext Paris Exchange –
FR0000130577 – and part of the CAC 40 index] is the world’s third
largest communications group. With activities spanning 104
countries on five continents, Publicis Groupe employs approximately
49,000 professionals and offers local and international clients a
complete range of advertising services through three global
networks: Leo Burnett, Publicis, Saatchi & Saatchi, and
numerous agencies including Fallon, 49%-owned Bartle Bogle Hegarty,
and Kaplan Thaler Group. VivaKi combines digital and media
expertise, allowing clients to connect with consumers in a holistic
way, with Starcom MediaVest Group and ZenithOptimedia worldwide
media networks; and interactive and digital marketing led by
Digitas and Razorfish networks. VivaKi develops new services,
tools, and next generation digital platforms. Publicis Groupe
offers healthcare communications with Publicis Healthcare
Communications Group (PHCG, the first global network in healthcare
communications). And with MSLGROUP, one of the world’s top five PR
and Events networks, also provides expertise in corporate and
financial communications, public affairs, branding, and social
media marketing.

Website: http://www.publicisgroupe.com
| Twitter: @PublicisGroupe | Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/publicisgroupe

Contacts

Publicis Groupe
Martine Hue, Investor Relations:

+33-(0)1-44-43-65-00
Peggy Nahmany, Corporate Communication:

+33-(0)1-44-43-72-83

MSLGROUP
Trudi Harris, Chief Communications Officer

+33-(0)6-13 73 83 02

Genedigi Group China
Zhengyu Su, Vice-President

+86-10-57691007

SOURCE Publicis Groupe