Arthur Sadoun on why 'pressure' from investors doesn’t matter, Publicis' 'resilience' and the competition
Publicis chief executive states strategy is “polar opposite” of its peers.
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Everyone needs partners in era of tech hyperscalers
Coming age of agentic AI is forcing more collaboration between “frenemies” across the advertising and tech ecosystem.
Publicis wins Microsoft media account without a pitch as part of expanded partnership
Two companies “will leverage each other’s expertise to embed agentic AI”.
Omnicom CEO John Wren earned $70 million package in 2025
Wren reduced his salary to $1 in favour of stock options, but he will only profit on the amount that Omnicom’s share price rises above a key threshold.
WPP hikes Cindy Rose’s potential package to $14.66 million a year to close pay gap on rivals
WPP also found 'disparity' inside its own company as some US-based colleagues on executive committee earned more than CEO.
Zaid Al-Qassab exits as M&C Saatchi CEO amid boardroom shake-up
Top shareholder Vin Murria rejoins board.
Cindy Rose on new WPP strategy: ‘We don’t want to be a holding company any more’
CEO can “see a path” back to growth for agency group, which will operate as a single company. “I don't think as a holding company WPP had a culture,” she tells Campaign.
WPP launches new Elevate28 strategy with four core divisions and $676 million savings
Agency group will lead with media in three-year plan after 5.4% revenue slump.
Omnicom and IPG jointly cut headcount by 8,200 in 2025
Combined staff numbers fell 6.4% as Omnicom took over IPG.
New Dentsu CEO to prioritise 'flatter structure', speed and improving holdco brand
Dentsu's corporate shake-up and appointment of a new chief executive follows record $2 billion annual loss.
Omnicom to axe and relocate more jobs as it doubles cost savings target to $1.5 billion
Majority of synergies will come from $1 billion cut to staffing costs, including job losses and offshoring.
Adland faces calls to tackle scam ads as Meta admits they ‘might be 3-4% of revenues’
Consumers say role of platforms is key as distrust grows over suspicious ads.
Arthur Sadoun on Publicis’ growth, sector woes and why neglecting talent is ‘kiss of death’
CEO talks to Campaign after increasing revenue and margin.
Publicis hits record profit margin, adds 5800 staff and hikes cash bonuses 8%
Revenues grew 5.6% in 2025, well ahead of rivals.
Dentsu shares slump 11% as buyers walk away from sale of international unit
Dentsu says it has made no announcements on its international business, after reports that talks to sell the unit have collapsed.
Jaguar Land Rover picks winner in expanded global agency review
Carmaker enters ‘period of exclusivity’ with agency group—with media-buying added during pitch process in surprise move.
M&C Saatchi CEO’s future under scrutiny as agency looks at succession planning
Headhunter sounds out industry executives about potential interest in role.
Analysts expect Omnicom’s jobs restructuring to last into 2026
Omnicom maintains prediction of significant cuts next year is “speculation and inaccurate”.
Omnicom must show new structure is about more than cutting its way to growth
Changing how Omnicom operates and collaborates in post-IPG era requires shift in mindset and incentives.
Publicis turns 100: history, family, warrior spirit and a huge cake at Paris party
Campaign reports from centenary bash for French agency group.
John Wren on how Omnicom ‘will succeed’: more collaboration, new bonuses, big job cuts
CEO speaks about dramatic post-IPG restructure. “I am not foolish enough to work 14 hours a day for a dollar,” he tells Campaign, after giving up salary in favour of stock.
Omnicom reveals huge agency shake-up, unveils new leadership, cuts 4,000 jobs
Sweeping Omnicom shake-up will scrap three storied creative networks—DDB, FCB and MullenLowe.
Haymarket Media Group wins global B Corp certification
Process has taken nearly three years.
WPP CEO and chair buy 100,000 shares after stock price slump
Cindy Rose and Philip Jansen make co-ordinated purchases worth £280,000 in attempt to boost sentiment.
Publicis CEO hits out at Omnicom’s ‘apples and oranges’ approach on revenue
Arthur Sadoun calls on Omnicom to change how it reports revenues to improve transparency after IPG takeover.
WPP brings in McKinsey to advise on strategic review
Consulting firm is helping to 'facilitate and stress-test' planning for new strategy.
Mel Edwards to step down from VML after 13 years at WPP
She has most recently been global president at integrated creative network.
WPP’s Laurent Ezekiel set to do U-turn and pull out of job move to Publicis
He is expected to land a new, bigger role as new CEO Cindy Rose takes charge.
Dentsu CEO responds to international sale speculation: ‘No decisions have been made’
'We aim to rebuild our international business on our own,' Hiroshi Igarashi says, although it is considering other options.
Andrew Scott, WPP’s global COO and M&A guru, to step down after 27 years
Close ally of outgoing CEO Mark Read will support new boss Cindy Rose until end of 2025.
Cindy Rose’s debut message to WPP staff: ‘Super-excited’ but won’t ‘sugar-coat’ challenges
New CEO invited staff to a global town hall on September 4 in a video address.
WPP slashes bonuses and dividend; incoming CEO Cindy Rose to review strategy
Agency group cuts staff incentives by 60%.
Four agency groups in race to win Jaguar Land Rover global marketing account
Integrated review encompasses most of British car-maker’s creative and marketing services globally.
Top WPP executive Laurent Ezekiel to join Publicis
Ezekiel currently has dual role as CMO of WPP and CEO of WPP Open X, the holding company’s bespoke global agency for Coca-Cola.
Cindy Rose has a huge to-do list to get WPP flowering again
The new CEO needs to be clear about what WPP stands for and how it goes to market.
Arthur Sadoun on ‘massively increasing gap’ on rivals, winning in creative, and rethinking Cannes
Publicis CEO spoke to Campaign at Q2 results.
Accenture and WPP have discussed potential M&A deal
Campaign understands there has been high-level contact between the two companies.
WPP recruits Microsoft exec Cindy Rose to replace Mark Read as CEO
She is already a WPP non-executive director on its board.
WPP's 'pretty grim' profit warning: stock market analysts react
Analysts assessed whether further downgrades will be a broader industry issue.
WPP closes in on new CEO as some big names ruled out
Decision by board coming 'sooner than expected', sources suggest.
Scrutiny over media trading will be a top story in next year, Campaign editors say
Five of Campaign's global editors spoke on a panel at Campaign House in Cannes.
Arthur Sadoun: Agencies should be ‘optimistic’ not ‘scared’ about future
Publicis CEO gave exclusive interview at Campaign House on first day of Cannes Lions.
WPP never seized control of its destiny under Mark Read’s leadership
Departing CEO had some notable successes, but the company has struggled.
Mark Read to step down as WPP CEO after seven years
Board begins formal search for new CEO.
Why has GroupM lost its way for so long? The buck stops with WPP
The visceral response to the latest restructuring has been a lament for the way the holding company has moved too slowly and downgraded its agency brands over many years.
Arthur Sadoun calls for ‘different approach’ at Cannes amid economic challenges
Publicis CEO says Lions festival should not just be about 'AI theory' or 'celebrating creativity for its own sake', given the toughest conditions since the pandemic.
Creative agency shake-up at WPP: Grey to move into Ogilvy Group
Grey will split from AKQA as part of the move.
Arthur Sadoun on secrets of Publicis’ pitch ‘success’ and how to support clients through tariff dramas
'Stop always being negative about our industry,' CEO says, after strong Q1 growth.
Publicis grows 4.9% in Q1; says new business streak will ‘offset’ Trump tariff fallout
Agency group is “extremely confident” it will hit annual growth forecast, expected to be between 4% and 5% in 2025
Will the 'big six' become the 'big three'?
Gideon Spanier explains the likely impact of the impending Omnicom takeover of Interpublic.
Omnicom and IPG shareholders approve takeover in key ‘milestone’
US-based Omnicom still requires consent of regulators in 17 markets to acquire IPG.
Publicis buys identity firm Lotame as Arthur Sadoun updates AI pitch to clients
CEO outlined client examples in 23-minute video presentation.
Omnicom-IPG merger gains support, Krakowsky’s $48.6 million ‘golden’ pay raises ‘concern’
Two leading proxy advisory groups recommended shareholders vote in favour of acquisition.
Media is key battleground for agency giants in new world order
Growth in media reflects how the scope has become much broader for clients, and Omnicom’s acquisition of IPG is poised to drive further change in the sector.
APAC headcount drops 4.8% as IPG’s global workforce shrinks by 4,100 in 2024
CEO promises “thoughtful decision-making” as it plans more cuts.
Mark Read on WPP’s creative agencies slump, big clients spending more and four-day office mandate
CEO dismissed idea WPP might sell AKQA in Campaign interview.
WPP shares slump as revenue declines and headcount drops by 6000
The operations in India grew 2.8% but China declined by 20.8% on the back of pressures surrounding Group M.
Santander on its shift to one global agency, why it picked Publicis and how ‘data is key’
Bank has been rethinking its $1 billion-a-year spend on advertising and communications to drive consistency and effectiveness in age of AI.
Omnicom cut 3,000 roles during 2024 ahead of IPG takeover move
Total headcount fell 1,000, as job reductions more than offset acquisition of 2000-strong Flywheel, and agency group plans further staff cuts to save US$330 million.
Publicis hikes salaries 7% after record 2024 and is ‘confident’ on outlook
Agency group 'reinforces talent pool' as it sees 'opportunity' in challenging 'new Omnicom'.
Arthur Sadoun on why Publicis didn’t buy IPG and how Omnicom is ‘the new WPP’
In conversation with the Publicis' CEO after the group reported annual revenue growth of 5.8%.
Omnicom and IPG chiefs visit UK to sell merger to staff and pitch consultants
The two groups will continue to operate independently and compete in pitches for the time being, as the M&A deal could take a year to complete.
GroupM axes global agency CEO roles in major centralisation push
EssenceMediacom, Mindshare and Wavemaker brands will still operate globally and local market CEOs will retain their roles.
The $31 billion Omnicom-IPG deal has industrial logic but also many caveats
The biggest beneficiary might not be the two companies involved, but the wider agency sector itself, writes Campaign UK editor-in-chief, Gideon Spanier.
Omnicom and IPG chiefs on merger: Moving beyond ‘legacy advertising’, $750 million synergies and succession
John Wren and Philippe Krakowsky speak to Campaign.
Omnicom agrees to buy Interpublic in deal to create world’s biggest agency group
Agencies hail their “complementary” assets and cultures.
Omnicom poised to confirm IPG acquisition and announce leadership
Announcement expected imminently.
Omnicom in talks to buy Interpublic—report
Omnicom and IPG: Rumours of a merger surfaced a year ago.
Industry sources dismiss ‘uncooked’ rumour about potential Publicis bid for IPG
M&A report surfaced on financial blog.
Publicis media pioneer and former COO Steve King leaves after nearly four decades
Briton plans to stay involved in marketing and communications world.
Havas warns of ‘reputational’ risk from fossil-fuel clients after backlash over Shell win
The Vivendi-owned agency group made the disclosure in its stock market prospectus.
MediaSense buys R3 as it eyes global client opportunities in creative
The change impacts APAC markets, including Singapore, New Delhi, Jakarta, Hong Kong, and Sydney, while R3 China will continue to operate as a MediaSense affiliate.
Havas to offer staff up over $40 million in incentives as it lines up Dutch stock market debut
Bosses could get extra $8 million in cash bonuses for working on separation from Vivendi, prospectus reveals.
Two hedge funds increase short positions in WPP in bet against share price
The agency group cut revenue forecast in August but won Amazon and retained Unilever in key markets.
Why Lions is buying Effie: to help brands make ‘better case’ for investing in marketing
Planned acquisition comes at the same time as Ascential, the parent company of Lions, completes its £1.2 billion ($1.6 billion) sale to Informa this week.
Unilever announces result of global media review with six rivals sharing duties
Publicis has taken over five out of six markets pitched in Southeast Asia, with only Indonesia remaining with WPP's Mindshare.
Omnicom share price hits record high after breaking $100 barrier
Staff who own shares will benefit from rising stock price.
Maurice Lévy on his Publicis legacy: Handing power to Arthur Sadoun ‘worked beautifully’
The emeritus chairman talks about his “passion” for Publicis over more than 50 years, his leadership tips, and how the French company is set to overtake WPP as the world's biggest agency group—on every financial measure.
WPP’s Mark Read on how GroupM needs to improve, China woes and ‘cautious’ clients
Holding group CEO spoke to Campaign at Q2 results.
WPP now expects revenues to decline in 2024 after cutting forecast and 3,000 roles
China's Q2 revenues declined by 24.2%, impacting overall Asia-Pacific performance.
Arthur Sadoun on defying doubters, Q2 revenue upgrade, ‘very high’ staff bonus pool and Paris Olympics
Publicis CEO talks to Campaign at Q2 results.
Zaid Al-Qassab is on a mission to change how ‘the outside world thinks of M&C Saatchi’
The new CEO tells Campaign why the agency group must become a solutions-based business, look beyond traditional advertising, and embrace learnings from markets including Singapore and Sydney.
IPG turns down investor who made approach to buy MullenLowe
News coincides with IPG exploring a potential sale of RGA to Tata Consulting Services.
Bigger crowd at Cannes Lions shows ad industry is getting ready for new era
Festival is becoming more inclusive but inequalities persist.
Publicis Conseil, Ogilvy and WPP win agency, network and most creative company of year at Cannes Lions 2024
WPP takes back holding company award from Omnicom.
Havas pushes integration with new ‘Converged’ strategy and invests $429.3 million in AI and tech
French agency group’s moves come ahead of possible stock market float.
M&C Saatchi teases new logo and ‘Plus’ brand proposition at Cannes
Chief executive Zaid Al-Qassab to announce planned changes at festival.
Cannes Lions entries drop slightly as new humour category attracts 798 submissions
While entries from the US and UK were “broadly flat,” submissions from Singapore were up 93%, and New Zealand jumped 47%.
Omnicom poised to retain Volkswagen Group media account after global pitch
Omnicom Media Group expected to create new operating model for client.
Bravo! Maurice Lévy leaves on an elegant high at his last Publicis AGM
Campaign went to Paris to witness a piece of advertising history as Lévy chaired his final AGM after 37 years, although no one expects him to disappear from Publicis.
Publicis wins vote for Arthur Sadoun to head single board after seeing off critics
Maurice Lévy says it was a “total absurdity” for proxy advisers to oppose Sadoun's combined role as chair and CEO on new unitary board.
WPP is ‘significantly stronger company’ than when Sorrell left, chairman says
Company has lost crown as most valuable agency group since 2018.
WPP’s Mark Read: Why 2024 will improve after Q1 despite client delays and China challenges
New business pipeline looks good overall, but some project work is under pressure because 'client decisions are taking longer to happen', CEO tells Campaign.
M&A rumour mill is buzzing as Publicis pulls ahead of agency pack
Speculation has created what one insider calls a 'febrile' atmosphere at the top of the agency sector.
WPP blames Pfizer loss and tech client cuts for 1.6% revenue fall in Q1
In contrast, Publicis, Omnicom and IPG all increased their revenues.
Publicis to shake up board: Arthur Sadoun takes sole charge, Maurice Lévy moves to emeritus role
Two boards become one as supervisory and management boards merge.
Publicis organic growth jumps 5.3% in Q1
Groupe says growth driven by 'new business tailwinds' with a 'clear rebound in the tech sector'.
Publicis stock price hits €100 for first time as valuation soars
Employees who are entitled to shares will benefit from jump in the stock price.
Pfizer moves creative from IPG to Publicis after just 10 months
Pharma giant consolidates global creative business with Publicis months after splitting duties between the two holding companies last May; IPG retains PR and health briefs.
AKQA and Grey merge operations in five markets in efficiency drive
AKQA will become the sole brand in Australia while Grey will lead merged operations in China as part of a 'strategic realignment' to allow Grey to focus on 'growth markets'.