AGENCIES

Publicis Worldwide and Leo Burnett merge to form new agency Leo

By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2025

Merger of two Publicis Groupe agencies creates a ‘constellation’ comprising around 15,000 employees operating in 90 countries.

French-based Publicis Groupe, which claims to be the second largest communications group in the world, has merged two of its best-known global agencies, Publicis Worldwide and Leo Burnett.

Publicis Groupe’s Carla Serrano with Leo leadership Marco Venturelli, Agathe Bousquet and Gareth Goodall. Photo: Publicis Groupe

The merger has formed a new creative mega-agency called Leo. With a few exceptions – France, the UK and Canada – all offices worldwide will now trade under the Leo brand. 

 

In a press release, Publicis Groupe calls the new agency a “constellation” which comprises around 15,000 employees operating in 90 countries. Leo is being led by Co-Presidents Marco Venturelli and Agathe Bousquet, and Chief Strategy Officer Gareth Goodall.  

 

The release emphasises that the merger is not a rationalisation of the business or a cost-saving exercise. Rather, it is a response to the evolving needs of the market and a desire to elevate the creative product overall.    

 

Creative efficiency is not about fewer brands 

 

“I have never believed that creative efficiency should mean fewer brands and fewer operations,” says Arthur Sadoun, CEO of Publicis Groupe, in the release.  

 

“It is about big ideas from creative minds that are nurtured by a strong agency culture, to have an impact on our clients’ business. In today’s world, it is also about more collaboration and more access to capabilities.” 

 

In an interview with the advertising industry news website, Campaign UK, Carla Serrano, Global Chief Strategy Officer of Publicis Groupe, also emphasised that the merger is not about cutting costs. 

 

“It’s about exponential creativity – bringing together human ingenuity and the potential of AI to tackle today’s complex business challenges,” she said. 

 

Comments the marketing industry news website, Marketing Dive: “The creation of Leo comes as agency holding companies grapple with how to meet client needs around data-driven creative, especially in the age of AI.”

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    Dr Kin Kariisa

    Group CEO - Next Media

    Dr. Kin Kariisa is an extraordinary force at the helm of Next Media Services, a conglomerate encompassing NBS TV, Nile Post, Sanyuka TV, Next Radio, Salam TV, Next Communication, Next Productions, and an array of other influential enterprises. His dynamic role as Chief Executive Officer exemplifies his unwavering commitment to shaping media, business, and community landscapes.
    With an esteemed academic journey, Dr. Kariisa’s accolades include an Honorary PhD in exemplary community service from the United Graduate College inTexas, an MBA from United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya, a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering from Huazong University in China, and a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Makerere University.
    Dr. Kariisa pursued PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands. As a dynamic educator, he has shared his expertise as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at both Makerere University and Radboud University.

    Dr Kin did his PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radbond University in Nigmegen, Netherlands. He previously served as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda and Radbond University in Netherlands.

    Dr Kin did his postgraduate courses in Strategic Business Management, Strategic Leadership Communication and Strategies for Leading Successful Change Initiatives at Harvard University, Boston USA.

    • Other current and previous roles played by Dr Kin Kariisa:
    • Lecturer of e-Government and Information Security to graduate students at Makerere University, Kampala and Radbond University in the Netherlands
    • Director of Eco Bank Uganda Limited, one of the largest banks in Africa
    • Chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters, an umbrella industry association for all Television, Radio and online broadcasters in Uganda.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Nile Hotel International, that owns the leading hotel in Uganda, Kampala Serena Hotel.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Soliton Telmec Uganda, the leading telecom company in Optic fibre business managing over 80% of optic fibre in Uganda.