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Euronext listed Publicis Groupe acquired a 40% share in the media agency ZenithOptimedia Prague, s.r.o. from its Czech joint-venture partner

Sector
Media and communication agencies
Target company
ZenithOptimedia Prague, s.r.o.
Seller
Company co-founder, partner in the JV
Buyer
Publicis Groupe
Our role
Advisory to the seller
Transaction size
Undisclosed
Year
2013

ZenithOptimedia is one of the world’s leading global media services agencies with 250 offices in 74 markets. Key clients include British Airways, Electrolux, Globus, HTC, Nestlé, L’Oréal, Lactalis, Puma, Reiffeisen Group, Richemont Group, Sanofi, Telefónica O2 and Wüstenrot. The agency has been present in the Czech Republic since 2002.

The French Publicis Groupe (EN Paris: PUB) is the 3rd largest communications group worldwide and a leader in digital and interactive communication. With activities spanning 108 countries on five continents, Publicis Groupe employs approximately 60,000 professionals.

Merger Vision acted as an exclusive M&A advisor to the co-founder on his exit, structured as a combination of immediate cash compensation and a multi-year earnout.

  • I selected Merger Vision as my M&A advisor among several advisory firms. They gained my trust as they proved detailed knowledge of transactions from our sector and mechanisms of exit from joint venture companies. They also made practical recommendations regarding negotiating the best transaction terms for me based on corporate documents from the 90s when the company was established. In addition, it was clear that Merger Vision has relevant experience in cross-border transactions where the counterparty is a large publicly traded corporation. I was very pleased with the negotiated terms of the sale of my stake, which was settled over several years with the annual assistance of Merger Vision.

    Martin Štěpánek, ZenithOptimedia

    co-founder

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