LONDON (Brand Republic) 鈥 French advertising group Publicis is considering merging its FCA!BMZ network into the recently acquired Saatchi & Saatchi to strengthen the UK-based agency鈥檚 position.
Combining the nine-strong FCA!BMZ network, which also has other affiliate partners across Europe, would beef up Saatchis鈥 pan-European client roster and increase its continental expansion.
Publicis general secretary Jean-Paul Morin, who was appointed earlier in October to oversee the integration of Saatchi & Saatchi into the group, said, 鈥淲e are actively seeking to improve the position of the agency throughout Europe.鈥
One hurdle to overcome, however, could be client conflict. One of FCA!BMZ鈥檚 main clients is German packaged goods manufacturer Henkel. This would clash with rival Procter & Gamble, which is a large client of Saatchi & Saatchi.