Publicis Groupe Reports Accelerated Q2 Growth, Fuelled by Creative and Media Gains
The holding company outpaces expectations with strong performances in creative and media services, offsetting challenges in other sectors.
Publicis Groupe delivered a stronger-than-expected second-quarter performance, with revenue growth driven by a robust recovery in creative services and sustained momentum in its media operations.
Arthur Sadoun, CEO Publicis Groupe
The Paris-based holding company reported a sharp acceleration compared to the first quarter, signalling resilience in an otherwise cautious advertising market. Organic growth reached mid-single digits, outperforming several peers. The company attributed this to renewed advertiser demand for brand-building campaigns and increased investment in integrated creative-media solutions. Publicis’ Power of One model which integrates its creative, media, and technology offerings continues to resonate with global clients seeking both scale and agility.
Media agency networks, including Starcom and Zenith, posted particularly strong results as brands sought data-driven planning and measurable outcomes. Creative agencies, long considered a softer area of the market, saw renewed client investment as advertisers leaned on bold, idea-led campaigns to cut through fragmented audiences.
CEO Arthur Sadoun highlighted the group’s ability to balance high-growth areas such as media and digital transformation with a revitalised creative proposition. “We are seeing clients return to creativity as a differentiator, while our media expertise continues to deliver performance,” he said.
Despite broader economic uncertainty, Publicis maintained its full-year guidance, suggesting confidence in the pipeline for the second half of 2025. The group’s diversified portfolio spanning creative, media, digital experience, and data-driven marketing continues to buffer against volatility in any single segment.
The results position Publicis ahead of some rivals struggling with slower demand in North America and Europe. They also underline the enduring relevance of integrated offerings at a time when clients are consolidating agency rosters.
Looking ahead, Publicis plans further investment in AI-driven media planning, first-party data capabilities, and creative-tech partnerships to maintain its competitive edge.
