Publicis Set For Zenith Deal With Cordiant

French media group Publicis is thought to have reached a verbal agreement with Cordiant Communications to merge the stakes each company holds in Zenith Media.

Publicis’ 50% stake in Zenith is the result of its recent acquisition of Saatchi & Saatchi (see Publicis Buys Saatchi & Saatchi For £1.24bn). Publicis also owns Optimedia and it is thought that the deal made would see the grouping of Optimedia and Zenith’s operations (see Zenith And Optimedia Look Set To Merge On Completion Of Saatchi Deal).

Another possibility is that Cordiant could sell its own 50% stake in Zenith to Publicis, in which case Zenith and Optimedia would be merged to create a powerful international force in media buying.

No details are available as yet as to when such a grouping or merger would take place, or how either situation would affect staffing at the two media buying groups.

Cordiant: 020 7262 4343