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Publicis Groupe is building on its vision of becoming more of a platform than a holding company with the hiring of former Allianz executive Sylvie Ouziel to oversee its shared platforms, including AI system Marcel.
Ouziel, who is making the move from software company Envision Digital, where she was based in Singapore as its international president since 2019, will join Publicis’ management committee as CEO of shared platforms and report directly to chief executive and chairman Arthur Sadoun.
At Publicis, Ouziel will lead Re:Sources, the company’s centralized business unit that oversees its finance, administrative, legal, IT, procurement, property and tax functions. Ouziel will also handle technology partners and Marcel, which connects Publicis’ more than 75,000 employees around the world, client projects and company updates.
In a statement, Sadoun said Ouziel’s appointment is part of the company’s “shift” toward becoming a platform while supporting its country model that operates under a single P&L.
“Our global capabilities in data and technology with Epsilon and Publicis Sapient are fuelling all of our local operations to help our clients transform. Our shared platforms will, more than ever, support our clients’ growth by providing them with guaranteed outcomes, reduction of delivery risk and increased cost-competitiveness, along with speed to market and strategic flexibility,” Sadoun said, adding that the shared platforms would enhance personal development opportunities and employer attractiveness.
Prior to joining Envision Digital, Ouziel spent eight years as chairwoman of Allianz Managed Operations and Services and was based in Munich, where she was in charge of creating the Group Shared Services and became global CEO of Allianz Assistance while also directly overseeing the APAC businesses.
Ouziel also spent 20 years working at Accenture, where she began her career, reaching the position of global chief operating officer of Accenture Management consulting.
“To continuously earn the trust of clients and teams in a constantly bar-raising environment, Publicis Shared Platforms will focus on scaling leading-edge digital solutions, at speed, in a compliant and cyber-secure way, on processing mass transaction with industrial quality and hosting inclusive and inspiring virtual and physical collaborative spaces for teams, partners and clients. We will continue to optimize corporate and external partners’ resources towards increased competitiveness,” Ouziel said.
