PARIS, July 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ —

Publicis Groupe (EURONEXT Paris: FR0000130577) announced today
that it has taken a majority stake in its longterm affiliate
Spillmann/Felser/Leo Burnett, one of the biggest and most
distinguished creative advertising agencies in Switzerland. Until
now, Publicis Groupe has had a minority (40%) stake in the agency,
and this transaction increases the Groupe’s participation to 100%.
Spillmann/Felser/Leo Burnett will continue to align under the Leo
Burnett global network.

Andy Stäheli, previously the agency’s Managing Director, will
take over the company leadership from Peter Felser, and Peter
Brönnimann succeeds Martin Spillmann as Creative Director.
Spillmann and Felser will withdraw from day-to-day business
operations, and will remain members of the Executive Board. Andy
Stäheli will now report to Giorgio Brenna, CEO of Leo Burnett’s
continental Western Europe region.

Founded in 2002, Spillmann/Felser/Leo Burnett is a full-service
advertising agency based in Zurich, Switzerland. The agency employs
nearly 80 communications professionals and provides the full range
of advertising and communication services, including below-the-line
and digital services. Key clients include ABB, Emmentaler Cheese,
Fleurop, Lindt Chocolate, Postshop, Switzerland Tourism,
Switzerland’s Cantonal Banks, Swiss Life (insurance) and Volvo.

Spillmann/Felser/Leo Burnett is the only Swiss agency to appear
in the Top 3 on a national level for creative performance,
earnings, as well as efficiency and reputation rankings. The agency
is known for cross-media-campaigns and some of its popular
campaigns include work carried out for Switzerland Tourism
(“Mountain Cleaners”, “Holidays without Facebook”), Mammut (“Mary
Woodbridge“) or the “SMS dialogues” for Swiss Telecom provider
Sunrise (“Campaign of the year 2010” awarded by trade
magazine “Werbewoche”). The agency has won 7 Cannes Lions for
campaigns for Switzerland Tourism, Sunrise, Migros Fashion (“Real
singles in underwear”), the left weekly WOZ (“WOZ buys UBS”),
Cabaret Voltaire, Helvepharm (“The modest pharmaceutial
company”).

Giorgio Brenna, Leo Burnett’s CEO Continental Western Europe
Region, “Since its foundation in 2002 Spillmann/Felser/Leo
Burnett has repeatedly impressed us with its creative power
and how quickly it became the third largest agency in
the country. The agency is one of our “Centers of
Excellence” and underlines both our reputation as a creative
network in Europe as well as the importance of great brand ideas
for our clients.”

Andy Stäheli, CEO of Spillmann/Felser/Leo Burnett: “The Leo
Burnett philosophy 100% matches our perspective on
success-based communication. No other agency group devotes
so much attention to the creative product. We are very much looking
forward to sharing our ideas with like-minded people within the
network as well as further profiting from their tools and
experience.”

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

Spillmann/Felser/Leo Burnett
Aemtlerstrasse 201,
Postfach, CH 8040
Zürich,
ph. +41(0)43-311-2525,
fax : +41(0)43-311-2524
http://www.sflb.ch

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

Leo Burnett Worldwide
Patti Temple Rocks
Global Director Corporate Communications: +1-312-220-6860

Spillmann/Felser/Leo Burnett
Andy Stäheli, CEO +41-43-311-25-25

SOURCE Publicis Groupe