BRIEFINGS: Publicis profits up 54% in first half

<p>Publicis, France's largest advertising group, declared a 54 per </p><p>cent rise in profits for the first half of the year, despite its June </p><p>takeover of Saatchi & Saatchi for US$2 billion. It said an </p><p>increased customer base and online activity were the main reasons behind </p><p>the rise in profits from E34 million to E52 million. Publicis chairman </p><p>Maurice Levy said full-year profits would rise at least 30 per cent, not </p><p>including earnings from the Saatchi business. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>He said Publicis added 300 companies to its client list - representing </p><p>about US$1 billion in additional billings - including Citibank in </p><p>the US and the German Bundesbank, for which Publicis will manage a </p><p>campaign designed to raise awareness of the euro. The company has also </p><p>been buying more companies in the US, including Fallon McElligot, as </p><p>well as branching out into PR with the purchase of Winner & Associates. </p><p>Online projects have included a joint venture with IBM to tap Wap users. </p><p><BR><BR> </p>