Publicis Groupe hit by economic consequences of COVID-19, but CEO says it can weather the storm

July 23, 2020 8:19

Publicis Groupe is one of the first holding groups to reveal its full financial performance throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, releasing its results for the first half of the calendar year this evening.

It noted organic growth was down 8% for the first six months of 2020, with the second quarter (April to June) hard hit, down 13%. Q2 was particularly difficult for its Europe operations, down 23.5%.

The group said it had entered the COVID-19 crisis with strong fundamentals, and pointed to strong tailwinds in the US and continued new business momentum as positive signs.

Publicis’ key figures for H1 2020 (Click to enlarge)

Be a member to keep reading

Join Mumbrella Pro to access the Mumbrella archive and read our premium analysis of everything under the media and marketing umbrella.

Become a member

Vivienne Kelly

Vivienne Kelly was previously the editor of Mumbrella from 2016 to August 2020.

Topics

financial results Publicis Groupe

4 COMMENTS

Ron 24 Jul 20

How can the DEBT of Publicis go from 73M Euro to 3.2 BILLION EUROS in a single half-year? The debt increased 5,000% in 6 months? What the hell is going on? How did this happen? It’s a disaster yet the report barely mentions it… How can they report anything positive in light of this?

User ID not verified.

Vivienne Kelly 24 Jul 20

Hi Ron,

I’m trying to get more information on this, as I also found the number startling.

I will let you know if I get any more information.

Thanks,
Vivienne – Mumbrella

WingWalker 24 Jul 20

I could be wrong, but wouldn’t this just be Publicis Groupe’s acquisition of Epsilon for $3.95bn?

User ID not verified.

AH 24 Jul 20

I thought the same thing and went in search of a transcript from the investor briefing –

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/edited-transcript-pubp-pa-earnings-162826337.html