Publicis reports mixed European performance

by Tristan O'Carroll, Media Week 24-Jul-08, 11:00

LONDON - Publicis Groupe has conceded that revenue growth at its European operations was mixed during the first half of this year, as global profits fell 3% year on year in the second quarter of 2008.

While not detailing the performance of specific European territories, Publicis Groupe announced that all geographic zones reported satisfactory growth, including North America, which achieved 5.5% revenue growth during the first half of 2008 compared with the same period last year. Revenues in Europe were up 3.5% in the first half of 2008 versus the first half of 2007.

However, Publicis noted that performance within Europe "was more contrasted", without detailing specific performance of markets such as the UK.

Maurice Levy, chairman and chief executive of Publicis Groupe, said: "In a somewhat depressed world economy, and against a backdrop of financial unease, we have every reason to believe that we can better resist by virtue of our strong positions in high-growth markets and sectors.

"We are cautiously and reasonably confident in our expectations for the second half of 2008."