PARIS — Publicis Worldwide CEO Arthur Sadoun, dubbed a 'rising star' at the holding group, is taking over supervision of MSLGroup, meanwhile the agency's CEO Olivier Fleurot moves into an SVP role at the holding group.

Fleurot has been at the helm of the $490m MSLGroup since 2009, also overseeing the MS&L network, Publicis Consultants, Publicis Events networks, as well as other strategic communication consultancies such as Kekst & Company in New York and JKL in the Nordics. As of September 1, he becomes SVP of the Publicis Groupe to head communications, CSR, real estate, insurance and cross-disciplinary
programs like Altaïr.

Meanwhile, Sadoun has been with the holding group since 2006 and was named CEO of the creative network Publicis Worldwide in October 2013. 

"This alignment is not at all about merging MSLGroup with Publicis Worldwide. Both entities will report to Arthur Sadoun who will leverage MSLGroup's skills to develop a new integrated approach. All this to the benefit of our clients and the stronger growth of the Groupe,” Publicis Groupe CEO & Chairman Maurice Lévy said in a statement. 

MSLGroup's chief communications officer provided the following statement: "Today our clients are looking for stronger ideas and simpler structures at a better cost. The rise of new technology means that the boundaries between reputation, brand management and commerce no longer exist in the minds of our clients. Together, Publicis Worldwide and MSLGroup will be able to deliver a totally integrated offer comprising these three interdependent dimensions. It's a powerful and unique model that will together give us a clear advantage in the market."

Between 1999 and 2006, Fleurot was part of the Financial Times Group's executive team in London, eventually becoming CEO of the FT Group. He joined Publicis Groupe in 2006 as executive chairman of Publicis Worldwide. 

Sadoun joined Publicis Groupe in December 2006 as CEO of Publicis Conseil and, in 2009, was appointed CEO of Publicis France. In April 2011, he became managing director of Publicis Worldwide, overseeing Western Europe, as well as worldwide strategic planning and creative activities before taking on the CEO post. 


Image: Olivier Fleurot