Business News

Publicis Groupe Acquires EmporioAsia, Leading Digital Agency in China

Monday 26. May 2008 - This Acquisition Strengthens Publicis Groupe Digital Activities With the Rapidly Increasing Number of Chinese Internet Users

Publicis Groupe today announced that it has acquired the Shanghai-based full-service digital marketing agency, EmporioAsia. Effective immediately, the agency will rebrand as EmporioAsia Leo Burnett with current CEO Vincent Kobler heading the renamed agency. Operating alongside Arc under the Leo Burnett China umbrella, the acquisition immediately boosts the multinational agency’s strategic, production and creative capabilities in the fast-growing digital sphere.

Specialising in among others, online strategy and creative (websites, rich media, eDM); Search Marketing and Analytics, EmporioAsia has been recognised previously as China’s Best Interactive Marketing Agency, as well as one of Asia Pacific’s top specialist marketers. Clients include Hilton Hotels, China Eastern Airlines, Philips, Shangri-la Hotels, Parrot and ING bank. Founded in 1999, the agency has 35 staff. It is today one of the leading digital agencies in China.

China boasted 150 million Internet users in 2007, and is predicted to surpass the U.S. next year in terms of absolute numbers of people online.

Today, online ads capture around 2% of ad spend in China,compared to 4-5% in the U.S. The growth potential for the medium is clearly huge: While roughly half of the U.S. population is actively using the Internet today, between just 10 and 15% of the Chinese population is currently plugged in.

“The acquisition of EmporioAsia confirms our commitment to
strengthening the Publicis Groupe presence in digital and emerging markets. The talent and expertise of EmporioAsia will help us maintain a leading edge in what is largely considered to be one of the most promising advertising markets in the world,” said Maurice Levy, Chairman and CEO of Publicis Groupe.