Publicis Groupe takes full ownership of Blue 449

M&C Saatchi has sold its remaining stake in Blue 449 to Publicis Groupe for £25m.

The 24.9% stake equates to a valuation for the whole of Blue 449 of approximately £100m, and the cash proceeds of the deal will be used to fund future growth at M&C Saatchi.

Blue 449 was originally founded as Walker Media as a joint venture between M&C Saatchi, Christine Walker and Phil Georgiadis in 1998.

In 2013, Publicis Groupe bought 75.1% of the agency before it was rebranded Blue 449 in 2015. There will be no change in the leadership at the agency.