By Kevin McCauley
Publicis Groupe today announced the purchase of a 70 percent stake in Brazil’s DPZ, one of the country’s top ad agencies.
The 230-member shop is based in San Paulo and boasts clients such as Coca-Cola, Azul Linhas aereas (airline), Bombril (household products), and Vivo (telecommunications).
DPZ’s three founders (Jose Zaragoza, Francesc Petit and Roberto Duailibi) agreed to remain on board along with CEO Flavio Conti.
Brazil is in the midst of a $1T construction boom to ready for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Rio Olympics.
Publicis CEO Maurice Levy says the DPZ deal fits the France-based combine’s decision to strengthen its position in the fast-growing markets of Brazil and China.
Last month, Publicis acquired China’s Genedigi, which is one of the country’s biggest PR firms with 400 staffers. It is being aligned with MSLGroup. |