The deal sees CCG rebranded as Digitas Greater China, integrating with Publicis’ earlier global acquisition of digital giant Digitas.
CCG chief Neil Runcieman becomes head of the newly-branded entity, overseeing 200 staff in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Beijing and Shenzhen.
“Our new positioning will give us global reach for serving our clients,” said Runcieman, who joined Lemon in 2000, before it was rebranded as a CCG subsidiary in 2002, along with Media3Way, Ad-Xplorer Integrated and Wise Horse Media.
The Public is acquisition follows the arrival of Arlene Ang as head of digital marketing services at the Publicis Worldwide agency earlier this year. Ang previously worked for AdXplorer in Shanghai.The development comes as a number of digital shops attract significant interest from holding companies in Asia. Last month, WPP acquired Blue Interactive, leaving attention focused on Agenda.
“We are exploring with multiple potential partners,” confirmed Agenda chief executive officer Steve Hsia.
“We are not in a hurry to sell.”
He added that Agenda had recently won Malaysian bank Maybank’s interactive account, which will see a revamp of the bank’s websites.
