Publicis Groupe SA Launches MarketForward; New Company Combines Marketing Expertise With Patented Applied Technologies to Provide Innovative Solutions

Business Wire, Dec 17, 2001

Business Editors

CHICAGO and PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 17, 2001

Publicis Groupe SA (Paris Bourse: PUB, NYSE: PUB) today announced the formation of MarketForward, a new company that combines Publicis Groupe's global marketing expertise with recently acquired, patented applied technologies to provide innovative marketing solutions through offerings such as updateable digital signage and brand asset management.

Headquartered in Chicago and Paris, the company will provide tailor-made strategic business solutions to build global brands for such clients as McDonald's, Jim Beam, Harris Bank, and Metrobus.

MarketForward (www.marketforward.com) is the result of the combination of Siren Technologies and BrandGuard, both former subsidiaries of Frankel, a Chicago-based brand marketing agency acquired by Publicis in January 2000. Jean-Francois Valent, former CEO of Siren Technologies and BrandGuard, will continue as head of the new company, and will report directly to Maurice Levy, worldwide chairman and CEO of Publicis Groupe SA.

"When Publicis acquired Frankel in 2000, we saw the agency's unique offerings as a valuable step toward our goal of providing clients with Holistic Marketing," stated Levy. "Now, as we launch MarketForward, we can provide our clients with the best in marketing counsel, spanning all disciplines and drawing on technology to make our marketing business solutions ever more effective."

Marketing Solutions

Siren Technologies is a provider of updateable digital signage, a revolutionary medium that provides users applications, such as indoor and outdoor digital billboards and interactive signage that can be updated instantly. BrandGuard is a digital asset-management system that enables clients worldwide to control brand assets via a Web-based network, giving users the ability to create print marketing materials with pre-approved images and text. Siren and BrandGuard become MarketForward product offerings.

"We're convinced that digital messaging is an effective and unique method of marketing in our restaurants," said Ken Clement, president, McDonald's Phoenix Region Co-Op. "The Siren system is a fresh, creative way to bring merchandising to the consumers, and our efficiency in managing our restaurants has improved vastly through the use of Siren's solutions."

"The launch of MarketForward supports the original vision for Siren Technologies and BrandGuard," said Valent. "The company combines marketing and technology expertise with Publicis' reputation and global reach to create a company with proven product offerings and international presence. The market is now ready to fully embrace MarketForward, and we are confident that this company will retain its leadership position and continue to expand its global client base."

Publicis Groupe SA is the sixth-largest advertising/communications group in the world, with offices and affiliated agencies in 192 cities in 100 countries on 5 continents and pro forma total annual billings in 2000 of over 15 billion euro. Publicis is one of the top ten largest advertising/communications groups in the United States, the second-largest advertising/communications group in Europe, and includes within its network of companies such world-renowned, award-winning organizations as Saatchi & Saatchi; creative branding agency Fallon; ad agency Publicis & Hal Riney; marketing company Frankel & Company; and ethnic communications and youth target marketing/PR firm Burrell Communications Group.

Founded in 1926 by Marcel Bleustein-Blanchet, one of the fathers of modern advertising, Publicis Groupe offers a comprehensive range of services worldwide, including traditionally integrated advertising, interactive/multimedia advertising, marketing, market research, public relations, and public affairs. The Company is listed on the Paris Bourse (PUB), and its American Depositary Receipts trade on the NYSE (PUB). Publicis' dedication to unsurpassed client service and innovation has contributed to the success of legendary brands throughout the world. These include decades of continuous work for bluechip clients worldwide. Publicis clients include Nestle, Lancome, Coca-Cola, Renault, L'Oreal, Garnier, Whirlpool, Heineken, Sara Lee, Allied-Domecq, Siemens, Carrefour, British Airways, United Biscuits, Hewlett-Packard, Club Med, Saturn, and Sprint PCS, among other major global brand advertisers. For more information on the company, go to www.publicis.com.