Latest news with #Publicis
Zawya
23-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Indian watchdog found global ad agencies colluded on fees, document shows
India's antitrust body found that global ad agencies breached laws by coordinating on commissions they charge advertisers, prompting the watchdog's raids on advertising and media companies in March, according to a document which sheds new light on the investigation into the media sector. The Competition Commission of India conducted surprise raids in March at the local offices of ad agencies WPP-owned GroupM, Interpublic, Publicis and Dentsu and at the offices of an Indian broadcasters' body and an association of advertising companies. A CCI document dated February 7 and seen by Reuters on Friday sheds new light on allegations that three separate cartels operated through three different industry groups: the Indian Society of Advertisers (ISA), Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) and Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation (IBDF). Before the raids, the CCI document said, it reviewed evidence that showed the alleged misconduct was prevalent since at least 2023, and advertising agencies exchanged commercially sensitive information on WhatsApp groups and agreed to adhere to pre-decided commission structures. "AAAI and its members are in contravention" of competition laws, the CCI noted in its initial review, while ordering the investigation which triggered the March raids, the document said. AAAI also often organised virtual meetings among members to align on prices and responses to be shared with clients, and discussed "retaliatory action" against members who don't follow such guidelines, the document said. The group "also fixed the formula for fee in case of fee-based service to advertisers," CCI said. The groups - AAAI which represents GroupM, Dentsu and Publicis, ISA which counts dozens of Indian and foreign companies as members, and the IBDF group of broadcasters - did not respond to Reuters queries. The CCI also did not respond to a request for comment. The CCI does not publicly disclose any details of price fixing investigations. Reuters reported in March that the allegations relate to collusion between media buying agencies and broadcasters, and the case was triggered after Dentsu made disclosures under a whistleblower-type federal programme. The raids cast a shadow on India's fast-growing media and broadcast sector which counts Reliance-Disney and Sony as top players, and could alter how ads are priced and sold in the country. Detailing the allegations, the CCI document said the advertisers "established a buyer's cartel", while the broadcasters who provide channels separately engaged in "collective action to refrain from giving discounts" to clients. Another cartel "exists in the media segment of advertising agencies and attempts are underway" to establish a cartel in its creative business segment, the CCI added. The three industry groups also "coordinate their activities and indulge in collective negotiations ... on issues which should ideally be negotiated independently," it added. "The respective industry association appear to evolve guidelines, advisories or negotiation parameters ... to secure the commercial interests of their members," it added. In recent weeks, AAAI privately asked its members to avoid discussions over pricing during meetings, where the group's legal adviser must be present, Reuters has reported. The investigation comes amid major shifts in India's advertising landscape following last year's $8.5 billion merger between Walt Disney and Reliance's Indian media assets, which is estimated to have a 40% share of the ad market in TV and streaming segments. India is the world's eighth-biggest ad market, where revenues stood at $18.5 billion last year, GroupM estimates. The CCI investigation is likely to continue for several months before final findings are issued. (Reporting by Aditya Kalra; Editing by Susan Fenton)
Reuters
23-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Indian watchdog found global ad agencies colluded on fees, document shows
NEW DELHI, May 23 (Reuters) - India's antitrust body found that global ad agencies breached laws by coordinating on commissions they charge advertisers, prompting the watchdog's raids on advertising and media companies in March, according to a document which sheds new light on the investigation into the media sector. The Competition Commission of India conducted surprise raids in March at the local offices of ad agencies WPP-owned GroupM, Interpublic, Publicis ( opens new tab and Dentsu (4324.T), opens new tab and at the offices of an Indian broadcasters' body and an association of advertising companies. A CCI document dated February 7 and seen by Reuters on Friday sheds new light on allegations that three separate cartels operated through three different industry groups: the Indian Society of Advertisers (ISA), Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) and Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation (IBDF). Before the raids, the CCI document said, it reviewed evidence that showed the alleged misconduct was prevalent since at least 2023, and advertising agencies exchanged commercially sensitive information on WhatsApp groups and agreed to adhere to pre-decided commission structures. "AAAI and its members are in contravention" of competition laws, the CCI noted in its initial review, while ordering the investigation which triggered the March raids, the document said. AAAI also often organised virtual meetings among members to align on prices and responses to be shared with clients, and discussed "retaliatory action" against members who don't follow such guidelines, the document said. The group "also fixed the formula for fee in case of fee-based service to advertisers," CCI said. The groups - AAAI which represents GroupM, Dentsu and Publicis, ISA which counts dozens of Indian and foreign companies as members, and the IBDF group of broadcasters - did not respond to Reuters queries. The CCI also did not respond to a request for comment. The CCI does not publicly disclose any details of price fixing investigations. Reuters reported in March that the allegations relate to collusion between media buying agencies and broadcasters, and the case was triggered after Dentsu made disclosures under a whistleblower-type federal programme. The raids cast a shadow on India's fast-growing media and broadcast sector which counts Reliance-Disney ( opens new tab, (DIS.N), opens new tab and Sony (6758.T), opens new tab as top players, and could alter how ads are priced and sold in the country. Detailing the allegations, the CCI document said the advertisers "established a buyer's cartel", while the broadcasters who provide channels separately engaged in "collective action to refrain from giving discounts" to clients. Another cartel "exists in the media segment of advertising agencies and attempts are underway" to establish a cartel in its creative business segment, the CCI added. The three industry groups also "coordinate their activities and indulge in collective negotiations ... on issues which should ideally be negotiated independently," it added. "The respective industry association appear to evolve guidelines, advisories or negotiation parameters ... to secure the commercial interests of their members," it added. In recent weeks, AAAI privately asked its members to avoid discussions over pricing during meetings, where the group's legal adviser must be present, Reuters has reported. The investigation comes amid major shifts in India's advertising landscape following last year's $8.5 billion merger between Walt Disney and Reliance's Indian media assets, which is estimated to have a 40% share of the ad market in TV and streaming segments. India is the world's eighth-biggest ad market, where revenues stood at $18.5 billion last year, GroupM estimates. The CCI investigation is likely to continue for several months before final findings are issued.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Indian watchdog found global ad agencies colluded on fees, document shows
By Aditya Kalra NEW DELHI (Reuters) -India's antitrust body found that global ad agencies breached laws by coordinating on commissions they charge advertisers, prompting the watchdog's raids on advertising and media companies in March, according to a document which sheds new light on the investigation into the media sector. The Competition Commission of India conducted surprise raids in March at the local offices of ad agencies WPP-owned GroupM, Interpublic, Publicis and Dentsu and at the offices of an Indian broadcasters' body and an association of advertising companies. A CCI document dated February 7 and seen by Reuters on Friday sheds new light on allegations that three separate cartels operated through three different industry groups: the Indian Society of Advertisers (ISA), Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) and Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation (IBDF). Before the raids, the CCI document said, it reviewed evidence that showed the alleged misconduct was prevalent since at least 2023, and advertising agencies exchanged commercially sensitive information on WhatsApp groups and agreed to adhere to pre-decided commission structures. "AAAI and its members are in contravention" of competition laws, the CCI noted in its initial review, while ordering the investigation which triggered the March raids, the document said. AAAI also often organised virtual meetings among members to align on prices and responses to be shared with clients, and discussed "retaliatory action" against members who don't follow such guidelines, the document said. The group "also fixed the formula for fee in case of fee-based service to advertisers," CCI said. The groups - AAAI which represents GroupM, Dentsu and Publicis, ISA which counts dozens of Indian and foreign companies as members, and the IBDF group of broadcasters - did not respond to Reuters queries. The CCI also did not respond to a request for comment. The CCI does not publicly disclose any details of price fixing investigations. Reuters reported in March that the allegations relate to collusion between media buying agencies and broadcasters, and the case was triggered after Dentsu made disclosures under a whistleblower-type federal programme. The raids cast a shadow on India's fast-growing media and broadcast sector which counts Reliance-Disney and Sony as top players, and could alter how ads are priced and sold in the country. Detailing the allegations, the CCI document said the advertisers "established a buyer's cartel", while the broadcasters who provide channels separately engaged in "collective action to refrain from giving discounts" to clients. Another cartel "exists in the media segment of advertising agencies and attempts are underway" to establish a cartel in its creative business segment, the CCI added. The three industry groups also "coordinate their activities and indulge in collective negotiations ... on issues which should ideally be negotiated independently," it added. "The respective industry association appear to evolve guidelines, advisories or negotiation parameters ... to secure the commercial interests of their members," it added. In recent weeks, AAAI privately asked its members to avoid discussions over pricing during meetings, where the group's legal adviser must be present, Reuters has reported. The investigation comes amid major shifts in India's advertising landscape following last year's $8.5 billion merger between Walt Disney and Reliance's Indian media assets, which is estimated to have a 40% share of the ad market in TV and streaming segments. India is the world's eighth-biggest ad market, where revenues stood at $18.5 billion last year, GroupM estimates. The CCI investigation is likely to continue for several months before final findings are issued. Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Wall Street Journal
21-05-2025
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
Publicis Deepens Influencer Marketing Push With Deal for Captiv8
Publicis PUB -0.23%decrease; red down pointing triangle Groupe said it is buying Captiv8, a platform that connects influencers and brands, in a deal that steps up its push into influencer-marketing services. The acquisition is valued at $150 million, according to a person familiar with the terms.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Publicis Closed Door Sessions return to Cannes Helping Clients Create AI Upside to fight the downturn
Publicis Closed Door Sessions return to Cannes, Helping Clients Create AI Upside to fight the downturn 15th May, 2025 – Paris – Publicis Groupe [Euronext Paris FR0000130577, CAC 40] today announced its Cannes Closed Door Sessions are back, with a new mission: unlocking real – and immediate - AI upside for clients, in an economic downturn. This year's festival will take place in the most challenging environment for our industry since Covid. Its leading players have registered average negative growth in Q1, while brands are navigating unprecedented uncertainty. Unlike during the pandemic, everyone will still gather on the Croisette. But this year, simply celebrating creativity for its own sake won't be enough. Leveraging the Cannes Lions as a platform for progress, Publicis will put creativity at the heart of innovative, ready-to-use AI solutions capable of increasing market share and reducing costs immediately. In a shrinking economy, more than ever clients need to target new prospects, optimise their content, make intelligent commerce gains, maximise their portfolios and better measure the most valuable channels for audiences like Gen Z. These are just some of the solutions at the heart of the closed door sessions, where the Groupe's leaders will share with every marketer, partner and investor how to deliver growth thanks to data and technology, powered by CoreAI and grounded in connected identity. They will deliver actionable initiatives tailored to the business imperatives of industries from CPG, to Health, Automotive, QSR, Finance, Retail and TMT. The sessions are accessible to every client & partner wanting to take part. Sign up here to reserve your spot: AIupside@ After taking the BS out of AI last year, Publicis is harnessing the real power of artificial intelligence in a downturn to drive concrete upside for every client, with ideas they can implement as soon as they return from Cannes. Arthur Sadoun, CEO of Publicis Groupe commented: 'With clients being challenged and our industry facing an unrelenting newsflow of restructurings and layoffs, this year's Cannes will have a different tone. And that calls for a different approach. Once again, artificial intelligence will be the star of the festival. But now more than ever, we can't afford to be distracted by AI theory, AI long term possible play or AI potential federations. If AI is going to truly build a better tomorrow for businesses and brands, we have to put it to work on real solutions, here and now. That is exactly what our closed doors sessions will do: show clients how to create AI upside to fight the downturn, and the gloomy forecasts of economists, analysts and the press. There won't be much sand and sun in those sessions, but there will be actionable ideas, clients can immediately implement to drive tangible business results, and offset any potential slowdown as early as next quarter. The old joke was 'what happens in Cannes, stays in Cannes'. This year, what happens in Cannes should drive instant positive business impact, beyond Cannes.' About Publicis Groupe - The Power of OnePublicis Groupe [Euronext Paris FR0000130577, CAC 40] is a global leader in communication. The Groupe is positioned at every step of the value chain, from consulting to execution, combining marketing transformation and digital business transformation. Publicis Groupe is a privileged partner in its clients' transformation to enhance personalization at scale. The Groupe relies on ten expertise concentrated within four main activities: Communication, Media, Data and Technology. Through a unified and fluid organization, its clients have a facilitated access to all its expertise in every market. Present in over 100 countries, Publicis Groupe employs around 103,000 X | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube | Instagram | Viva la Difference! Please find the press release here Contacts Publicis Groupe Amy Hadfield Director of Global Communications +33 (0)1 44 43 70 75 Michelle McGowan Corporate Communications +1 312 315 5259 Eleanor Conroy Corporate Communications +447736746466
