Following the publication of Publicis Group's interim report for the period ending 30 June, Real Media staff were told via an e-mail last week that a "series of restructuring measures" were looming.
The interim statement for the group, which makes 75 per cent of its profits from its press division, stated: "Appropriate measures have been put in hand to eliminate the sources of losses in 2002."
In particular, Lausanne-based Publi Groupe is planning to "integrate part of the Real Media advertising into its existing organisation".
Real Media is also seeking a "strategic partner" for its ad-serving technology Open Adstream. Tim Brown, UK managing director of Real Media, denied that this was jargon for "seeking a buyer".
Real Media UK's 42 employees - two thirds of which are sales staff - are waiting to hear exactly how this will affect them.
There are obvious fears of job losses. Real Media's worldwide staff count has already fallen from 556 in November 2000 to June 2001's head count of 359.
However, Brown stated to Media Business: "There'll be staff no cuts." He added: "Real Media needs to reduce its costs and it's being looked at from a global point of view, but we're not going to go down the same route as 24/7. It's part of Publi Groupe's strategy to remain in online sales.
"Advertising sales have been picking up in the past few weeks, especially with the demise of our competitors Engage and 24/7 Media."
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