Just days after reporting a strong first-half performance fueled largely by its success in the digital marketplace, French holding company Publicis Groupe has acquired an i-shop, picking up AG2 in Brazil.
The company, which has been one of Brazil’s largest independents with 170 employees, will operate within the Publicis Modem network. Cesar Paz, agency CEO, will continue to lead operations, reporting to Orlando Marques, CEO of Publicis Brazil. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Key clients include General Motors, also a large client of Publicis, and Bradesco, a large local financial-services firm.
Publicis said the move illustrates its continued commitment to growing its digital capabilities and investing in high-growth markets. Per Publicis’ Zenith Optimedia, Brazil’s online market grew 40 percent each year between 2004 and ’08, so it makes sense to expand there.
Last week, Publicis said it had identified several acquisition targets for the near future, with moves in China likely on tap. Prior to the economic downturn, Publicis had been especially acquisitive, buying agencies of all sorts in numerous markets with a particular focus on strengthening its digital offering.
