Publicis Groupe announced that it has acquired a majority stake in DPZ, one of Brazil’s leading advertising agencies. According to the terms of the agreement, Publicis Groupe immediately acquires 70% of the new agency, and has the possibility of increasing its participation to 100% over the next two or three years.

DPZ will retain its name and will operate within Publicis Groupe on a stand-alone basis. The agency remains under the leadership of its three founders Roberto Duailibi, Francesc Petit and José Zaragoza, and the management of current CEO Flavio Conti.

Founded in 1968, DPZ is one of the largest independent advertising agencies in Brazil with approximately 230 employees. The agency is headquartered in São Paulo, with offices in Rio, Brasilia and Vitoria.

DPZ’s key clients include prominent international and local brands such as Azul Linhas aéreas (airline), Bombril (cleaning products), Campari, Coca-Cola, Itaú (banking), Sadia (food and beverage), Vivo (telecommunications).
 
The agency has seen double-digit organic growth over the past three years, and DPZ’s 2011 revenue is expected to reach €40 M, with margins above those of Publicis Groupe’s average.

DPZ has received a long list of industry accolades, making it one of the most-awarded agencies in Brazil. Known for its innovative and irreverent style, the agency won its first Cannes Lion in 1972, and Brazil’s first gold Cannes Lion in 1975.
 
DPZ has also been repeatedly recognized at the Brazilian "Colunistas" award, the most important award within the Brazilian ad industry, as well as the "Cabore" awards (another very important national award).

The agency’s well-established reputation illustrates its strong and lively creativity. The history of DPZ is intertwined with the history of Brazilian advertising. DPZ has not only become an icon for the advertising industry in Brazil, but also a reference in Brazilian advertising for the rest of the world.

During its 43 years of history, DPZ has participated in creating prestigious brands and some of the most memorable campaigns and characters of Brazilian advertising. DPZ has also served as a university for Brazil's marketing community, as many of the country's leading ad men and women initially trained at DPZ.

The acquisition of DPZ illustrates Publicis Groupe’s strategic commitment to expanding its operations in the dynamic Brazilian market and across Latin America. Today’s announcement is the fourth transaction for Publicis Groupe this year in Brazil, following the acquisitions of Tailor Made and GP7, as well as the increased participation (60%) in Talent Group.

11th June 2011