PARIS and NEW YORK, May 9,
2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Publicis Groupe S.A. (Euronext Paris:
PUB) and Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) today jointly announced
that they have terminated their proposed merger of equals by mutual
agreement, in view of difficulties in completing the transaction
within a reasonable timeframe. The parties have released each other
from all obligations with respect to the proposed transaction, and
no termination fees will be payable by either party.
This decision was unanimously approved by the Management Board
and the Supervisory Board of Publicis Groupe and the Board of
Directors of Omnicom.
In a joint statement, Maurice Lévy, Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of Publicis Groupe, and John
Wren, President and Chief Executive Officer of Omnicom
Group, stated: "The challenges that still remained to be
overcome, in addition to the slow pace of progress, created a level
of uncertainty detrimental to the interests of both groups
and their employees, clients and shareholders. We have thus
jointly decided to proceed along our independent paths. We, of
course, remain competitors, but maintain a great respect for one
another."
About Publicis Groupe
Publicis Groupe [Euronext Paris
FR0000130577, CAC 40] is one of the world's leading communications
groups. The Groupe offers a full range of services and skills:
digital (DigitasLBi, Razorfish, Rosetta, VivaKi), advertising (BBH,
Leo Burnett, Publicis Worldwide,
Saatchi & Saatchi), public affairs, corporate communications
and events (MSLGROUP), media strategy, planning and buying (Starcom
MediaVest Group and ZenithOptimedia), healthcare communications,
with Publicis Healthcare Communications Group (PHCG), and finally,
brand asset production with Prodigious. Present in 108 countries,
the Groupe employs more than 62,000 professionals.
www.publicisgroupe.com | Twitter: @PublicisGroupe | Facebook:
www.facebook.com/publicisgroupe | LinkedIn: Publicis Groupe |
http://www.youtube.com/user/PublicisGroupe | Viva la Difference
!
About Omnicom
Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) is a
leading global marketing and corporate communications company.
Omnicom's branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide
advertising, strategic media planning and buying, digital and
interactive marketing, direct and promotional marketing, public
relations and other specialty communications services to over 5,000
clients in more than 100 countries.
www.omnicomgroup.com | Twitter: @Omnicom
