Publicis-WPP spar, via FT
Oh snap! In case you missed it, here’s a link to an FT storyfrom earlier this week, which includes a little back and forth between Publicis head Maurice Levy and WPP head, Sir Martin Sorrell:
The veteran advertising executive took a swipe at long-standing rival Sir Martin Sorrell of UK-based WPP who recommended in November that Publicis take over Interpublic, the second-largest US owner of advertising agencies.
Such a deal was the “fantasy of a little Englishman trying to stir things up”, Mr Lévy said. “This man is more interested in the affairs of other businesses than in managing his own.”
On a more serious note, Levy notes, unsurprisingly, that he expects 2009 to be a tough year for Publicis. One bright spot - crisis communications. The story says Levy sees a boom in that area.
