Publicis, however, is thought to be just one of several of the large advertising groups looking at Cordiant following last week's expressions of interest.
The information packs have been sent out to those who requested information last week. As well as going out to the major industry groups packs are aslo going to management buyout teams interested in buying their way out of Cordiant.
According to a report in the Sunday Times, Cordiant's investment bank UBS is sending out packs to interested bidders and several management buyouts of Cordiant's divisions are being considered.
However, it is not a full-blown auction and it is believed that the larger parts of the company, including Bates Worldwide, 141 and Healthworld, will go to a single bidder, which will likely be one of the larger advertising groups.
At the top of the list of management buyouts being discussed is the long-talked-of Financial Dynamics MBO, which is being backed in a £25m attempt to break away from Cordiant by Advent International, backer of music retail chain HMV.
Other bits of the business that are likely to see management buyout bids include the profitable design agency Fitch. The sell-off of Cordiant's German-based advertising network Scholz & Friends and the Australian arm of Bates is also expected to go ahead.
However, the Australian sell-off could be in trouble following reports that the agency faces losing its biggest account in Australian telecoms firm Optus, which might fall to M&C Saatchi.
Last week, Cordiant avoided having its shares suspended in London when it released its 2002 results, which showed a 1.4% rise in operating profits, just a few days after it was rocked to its core by the decision of Allied Domecq to pull its £18m business.
Cordiant chief executive David Hearn said: "While continuing to work constructively with the group's lenders, the directors are actively investigating a range of strategic options that will provide the best outcome for all the stakeholders in the business."
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