Publicis Groupe has said it was merging group agencies Publicis Worldwide and Leo Burnett to form one unified entity, Leo. “Leo is designed to deliver solutions for the world today, by uniting Leo Burnett, the brand of Humankind, and Publicis Worldwide, the network that stands for transformation,” the group said in a prepared statement.
It said the merger will result in a formidable global creative force of 8,000 creative minds from Leo Burnett and 7,000 from PWW across 90 countries. Leo will be led by Marco Venturelli and Agathe Bousquet who will act as co-presidents, and Chief Strategy Officer Gareth Goodall.
The Leo constellation joins Publicis Groupe’s creative roster comprising Saatchi & Saatchi, LePub and BBH, and creative hot shops like Fallon and The Community, as well as Le Truc. In India, the two outfits — Publicis Worldwide and Leo Burnett — will continue to operate as separate units at least for the next three-four months, said an executive close to the development.