Omnicom and Publicis defend ad merger plan July 29, 2013 SHARES in Omnicom and Publicis rose in response to the advertising giants’ merger plans yesterday – but so did shares in rival WPP, on hopes that the London-listed company will benefit from client losses stemming from the landmark tie-up. Publicis boss Maurice Levy insisted yesterday that the pair’s biggest clients support the deal. “Sure, [...]
London Report: FTSE edges up despite drop in Barclays stock July 29, 2013 BRITAIN’S FTSE 100 edged higher yesterday, with healthcare and media sectors bolstered by transatlantic merger activity, helping outweigh a steep sell off in Barclays. Drugmaker Shire – long viewed as a takeover target – added 2.4 per cent after US generic rival Perrigo agreed to buy Ireland’s Elan for $8.6bn (£5.6bn). A proposed merger between [...]
Ad giants Publicis and Omnicom agree $35bn tie-up July 28, 2013 MEDIA powerhouses Publicis and Omnicom have agreed to merge, in a deal that will create the world’s largest advertising firm. The companies, which spent several months in talks before yesterday’s announcement, generated a total of $22.7bn (£14.8bn) in revenues last year, and have a combined market value of $35.1bn. Omnicom will keep its [...]
Bottom Line: Ad giants at watchdogs’ mercy July 28, 2013 RIVAL boss of ad firm Havas David Jones took to Twitter when he heard rumours of the Omnicom-Publicis deal, scoffing “oh wow just saw a flying pig”. It turns out it was no pig, it was a well-camouflaged POG: Publicis Omnicom Group, six months in the planning yet still a bolt from the blue. [...]
Fresh economic hopes fuel the FTSE’s late rally July 18, 2013 UK EQUITIES rallied firmly into the close yesterday as bullish economic data both here and in the US calmed fears that the global economy may not be ready for a wind down in stimulus. The FTSE 100 closed up 62.43 points or one per cent at 6,634.36, its highest close since 30 May, while Wall [...]
WPP-owned Ogilvy & Mather acquires majority stake in Media February 27, 2013 Ogilvy & Mather, the global marketing communications group, has confirmed that it has acquired a majority stake in Strike Media Proprietary Limited in South Africa. Strike is a mobile marketing and technology agency delivering customised mobile strategy, campaigns,design and development services to clients across the financial, retail, consumer and telecommunications sectors. It posted revenues of [...]
RBS and Lloyds results look set to show losses February 24, 2013 STATE-BACKED banks Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Banking Group are both expected to announce full-year results this week, with analysts forecasting both lenders will remain loss-making. Investec believes RBS, which will deliver its 2012 figures on Thursday, will announce an attributable loss of £2.2bn for the final quarter – or a £5.6bn loss for [...]
Publicis expects a tricky year February 14, 2013 Ad agency Publicis finished 2012 on a high note as sales got a big bump from emerging markets and on-line marketing, yet it warned yesterday that the year ahead would be difficult, especially in Europe. The group, which competes with larger rivals WPP and Omnicom, posted organic growth of 3.9 per cent in the fourth [...]
Best of the Brokers January 30, 2013 WPP Jefferies upgraded the world’s biggest advertising group from a “hold” to a “buy” yesterday, saying that the outlook for 2013 is encouraging, even in a cyclically poor year. “With expectations low, we see upside risk,” the bank said, adding that after a period of acquisitions in 2012, WPP is more likely to use cash [...]
FTSE 100 rally continues January 30, 2013 The FTSE 100 rally showed signs of continuing this morning, as the blue chip index edged up 0.1 per cent, despite a slew of weak trading statements from large-cap companies. Oil and gas services firm Petrofac topped the blue chip loser board, shedding more than seven per cent. Other large-cap fallers dropped on the back [...]