|

Zenith And Optimedia Look Set To Merge On Completion Of Saatchi Deal

Zenith And Optimedia Look Set To Merge On Completion Of Saatchi Deal

One of the world’s largest media-buying operations looks set to be created following yesterday’s deal between Publicis and Saatchi & Saatchi (see Publicis Buys Saatchi & Saatchi For £1.24bn). Publicis-owned Optimedia and Zenith, which is 50%-owned by Saatchi, are expected to begin merger talks on the possibility of combining their operations on completion of the deal.

The combined media buying billings of Zenith and Optimedia totals £11bn with Optimedia currently at seventh place in the worldwide table and Zenith at number eleven. A merger between the two groups, however, would create the fourth largest media-buying power worldwide.

The merger is complicated by Zenith’s joint owner, Cordiant, who is expected to sell its stake in the group to the newly-merged company. A spokesperson for Cordiant was leaving the future of Zenith open today, however. “There are a whole number of possibilities and we are looking at finding the best service for our clients”, he said.

No-one was available to comment at Zenith or Optimedia when called by Newsline today.

Zenith: 020 7224 8500 Optimedia: 020 7961 1000 Cordiant: 020 7262 4343

Media Jobs