Publicis Groupe reported four quarter organic revenue growth of 3.9% to about $2.5B as gains in North America and developing markets offset sluggish gains in Europe.

For the year, organic growth registered 2.9% on revenue of about $8.5B. Net income jumped 22.8% to euro 737M. North American revenue was up 6.9% to top $4B for the year, compared with a 2.5% decline in Europe to $2.4B.

Chairman and CEO Maurice Levy said 2012 was to be a year of recovery but turned out to be "difficult, uncertain and disappointing as regards growth and employment, especially in Europe."

Despite a weary forecast for Europe in 2013, Levy pointed to growth in the U.S. (even if it is "fragile") and "high-growth" countries like Mexico, Brazil and China as good news this year.

Advertising fell short of its 4.7% growth forecast, ringing in at 3% as the Euro 2012 soccer tournament and London Olympics missed targets.

Publicis said key wins for its MSLGroup PR unit included Haier, March of Dimes, First Book, Apple Tree Pharmaceuticals, all in the U.S., along with Panmure Gordon and Associated British Foods in the U.K., and Walmart in Hong Kong, among others.

Publicis said it has debt of about euro 1.1B, compared with euro 1.3B in cash and securities.