We’ve been hearing about it since 11:30am EST, which was when tipsters were saying Publicis USA chairman/CEO Susan Gianinno just informed staff, and now it’s been made official. Publicis New York and 15-year-old Publicis Groupe sibling Kaplan Thaler Group are joining forces to form, you guessed it, Publicis Kaplan Thaler. The new, NYC-based entity will house over 650 employees and is now the U.S. flagship agency for the Publicis worldwide network.
As far as leadership goes, Publicis Kaplan Thaler will be led by chairman Linda Kaplan Thaler, CEO Robin Koval and Rob Feakins, currently president/CCO for Publicis New York who will now continue in that role while leading creative for the expanded entity. In a statement, Gianinno says, “Publicis Kaplan Thaler will build on the strong performances of Publicis New York, which includes the successful integration of digital agency Modem, and the Kaplan Thaler Group, to create a more dynamic New York base. Publicis Kaplan Thaler is poised to lead the change for its clients and the industry.”
By early next year, Publicis Kaplan Thaler, which has a combined client roster that includes P&G, Citi, P&G, L’Oreal, Nestle, Merck, Pfizer and Wendy’s, will be moving into its new location. According to spies, all staff will be moving to 1675 Broadway, though we’re still getting confirmation on that.