Paris, France – July 22, 2008 – Publicis Groupe (Euronext Paris: FR0000130577) announced today the acquisition of Portfolio, one of Korea’s top digital marketing agencies. Portfolio is a pioneer in fully integrated online services, and is widely celebrated for its innovative web-based creativity and commitment to results. Portfolio will become part of Publicis Modem, the digital arm of the Publicis Worldwide global network, and the agency will be rebranded Publicis Modem Korea. Publicis Modem currently has Asia offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Taiwan, and New Delhi.
Founded in 1998, Portfolio provides complete digital services including website development, website maintenance and marketing, online advertising campaigns, search, database marketing, data tracking, analysis and optimization. Portfolio’s client roster includes a number of prominent Korean and international brands such as Microsoft Korea, Prudential, Marriott International, Nissan Korea, Estée Lauder, Woonjgin Group, Epson, Choongwae Pharmaceutical Corp, Yuhan Kimberly and Nongsim Kellogg. Heewoon Park, founder and CEO of Portfolio, will remain at the head of the agency.
The acquisition of Portfolio is in line with Publicis Groupe’s strategy of targeted acquisitions aimed at expanding its leadership in digital communications and high growth markets. Digital advertising in Korea is a thriving market. According to ZenithOptimedia, internet adspend grew nearly 40% in 2007 to take a 13.7% share of total adspend of nearly USD 10 billion. By the end of 2007, there were 14.8 million broadband subscribers – representing 78% of Korean households. Publicis Groupe is already present in Korea through its major brands Publicis (Publicis Welcomm and Publicis Dialog), Leo Burnett, Publicis Events Worldwide (Emotion), Saatchi & Saatchi and Starcom MediaVest Group (SC Seoul).
Martin Reidy, CEO of Publicis Modem, stated, “Asia is a critical market for Publicis Modem and a key part of our global expansion. We were committed to finding a group with the passion, creative innovation and technical acumen synonymous with the Publicis Modem brand.
The team at Portfolio fit the bill exactly. With the explosive growth in the region, this acquisition is an incredible opportunity for everyone involved.” Arlene Ang, Regional Managing Director of Publicis Modem, added, “The acquisition of Portfolio gives Publicis Modem access to the Korean market, one of the world’s fastestgrowing markets in digital advertising and communications. It also complements our successful start up of network offices in Hong Kong, Beijing, Taiwan, New Delhi, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
Portfolio is arguably Korea’s best agency specialized in webPage based communication, and we are thrilled to bring Heewon Park and his talented teams on board.”
Heewoon Park, CEO of Portfolio, commented, “Joining Publicis Groupe gives us the international scale we’ve been looking for in order to best meet our clients’ needs in this increasingly globalized world. Right from the beginning, we felt a very powerful fit with Publicis Modem. This is exciting news for everyone at Portfolio, and we look forward to benefiting from the added expertise, further scale, and global reach associated with this digital powerhouse.”
About Publicis Groupe
Publicis Groupe [Euronext Paris: FR0000130577] is the world’s fourth largest communications group. In addition, it is ranked as the world’s second largest media counsel and buying group, and is a global leader in digital and healthcare communications. With activities spanning 104 countries on five continents, the Groupe employs approximately 44,000 professionals.
The Groupe offers local and international clients a complete range of communication services, from advertising through three autonomous global advertising networks, Leo Burnett, Publicis, Saatchi & Saatchi and two multi-hub networks, Fallon and 49%-owned Bartle Bogle Hegarty; to media consultancy and buying, through two worldwide networks, Starcom MediaVest Group and ZenithOptimedia; interactive and digital marketing led by Digitas; Specialized Agencies and Marketing Services offering healthcare communications, corporate and financial communications, sustainability communications, shopper marketing, public relations, CRM and direct marketing, event and sports marketing, and multicultural communications.
Web Site: www.publicisgroupe.com
About Publicis Modem
Publicis Modem is a global digital agency network that works with world-class companies in more than 40 countries and has over 1,000 digital employees. Publicis Modem offers a range of integrated marketing services, including strategy and planning; award winning creative design and execution; media research, planning and buying; search marketing; online and offline direct marketing; and technology enablement. Publicis Modem is part of the Publicis Worldwide network and a member of the Paris-based Publicis Groupe.
Web Site : www.publicismodem.com
About Portfolio
Founded in 1998, Portfolio employs 70 professionals and the agency is known as one of the leading integrated web communications agencies in South Korea. Portfolio is specialized in website building, website maintenance and marketing, online advertising campaigns, search, database marketing, data tracking, analysis and optimization. Clients include Microsoft Korea, Prudential, Marriott International, Nissan Korea, Estée Lauder, Woonjgin Group, Epson, Phoongwae Pharmaceutical Corp, Yuhan Kimberly and Nongsim Kellogg. Headquartered in Seoul, Portfolio is led by Heewon Park, who is also the president of Korea Digital Agency Industrial Association.
Web Site : www.portfolioad.com
