Publicis Groupe acquires majority in affiliate agencies on Romanian market, appoints Teddy Dumitrescu Country Chairman

After it made the first steps last year by buying Publicis Bucharest and setting up Publicis Communications Services Bucharest, Publicis Groupe continues its consolidation in Romania and acquired the majority stake in affiliate agencies on the local market

Publicis Groupe announced signing a definitive agreement to increase its equity stake to 51% in its long-term Romanian partner agencies Leo Burnett & Target, Starcom MediaVest Group, Optimedia, The Practice and iLeo.

The five Romanian agencies have together more than 150 employees and are recognized on the local market, offering a full spectrum of communication disciplines from branding to digital, PR, creative and media. Among their clients are Procter & Gamble, Samsung, Avon Cosmetics, SanofiAventis, AXA Group, OMV Petrom, GlaxoSmithKline, H&M, Kraft Foods, Novartis Sandoz and Heineken.

This represents a further step towards Publicis Groupe’s goal of accelerating its presence in fast-growing markets, and also reaffirms its commitment to Romania, as a priority market in Central & Eastern Europe. Through this acquisition, Publicis Groupe clients will have access to best-in-class communication services.

Teddy Dumitrescu and Stefan Iordache will be the co-CEOs of the operations, with Teddy Dumitrescu also assuming the position of Country Chairman. Management of the acquired companies will remain unchanged.

The operations will be reporting to Tomasz Pawlikowski, Chief Executive Officer of Central & Eastern Europe, Publicis Worldwide.

We have made our development in fast growing markets a top priority for the Groupe. This is an important milestone and a further testimony of our commitment to Central & Eastern Europe, with Romania as a key market

Jean-Yves Naouri,

Publicis Groupe COO & Executive Chairman Publicis Worldwide.

For more than a decade, we’ve built strong relations with our partners that we’ve come to know and deeply trust. Through this new footprint, we affirm once again our commitment to the Romanian market, a fast-growing one, and leading in regional creativity too. Our family becomes larger; we are gaining in terms of resources, competencies, know-how and synergies; we will continue to grow equity for our clients

Tomasz Pawlikowski

I’m delighted that I and my team will be joining Publicis (…) We strongly believe that this process will provide major benefits to our clients, staff and partners. The integration of Leo Burnett, Starcom MediaVest Group, The Practice and iLeo will further enhance our capabilities and, through a wider pool of resources and talent, help deliver innovative and best-in-class services to our clients through a globally integrated offering

Stefan Iordache,

CEO & founder Leo Burnett & Target

We are really proud to announce this transaction (…) It is a natural step forward and we are establishing a much stronger position in Romania, as part of a more effective and integrated business structure.

Teddy Dumitrescu