The contrasting fortunes of the two are said to be because Publicis has not been heavily exposed to sectors such as telecoms technology and financial services, which have slashed their adspends.
Havas, however, has been severely hit by clients' spending cuts, forcing it to restructure, cutting about 1,200 jobs. As a result, the group suffered a 10.4 per cent drop in net income from £77.7 million in 2000 to £69.6 million last year.
Nevertheless, the heads of both groups were united in their agreement about the tough trading conditions of 2001. Publicis' group chairman, Maurice Levy, said it was "one of the most difficult years in recent history", with the bursting of the dotcom bubble, recession in the US and the 11 September terrorist attacks all taking their toll.
His counterpart at Havas, Alain de Pouzilhac, acknowledged that the deterioration of the world market during 2001 had caused a progressive decline in the organic growth of the group, which owns Euro RSCG, Arnold Worldwide Partners and the media specialist MPG. But he added: "We are confident of a rebound in 2002."
The results come amid mounting speculation that Publicis is about to hit the acquisition trail again, expanding an empire which includes Saatchi & Saatchi, Fallon and Zenith Optimedia, the media independent in which it holds a 75 per cent stake.
The speculation has been fuelled by a £437 million bond issue in January.
But Publicis sources were this week playing down suggestions of an imminent purchase. "Levy never ceases to surprise,
an insider said. "But buying Saatchis was a big deal and is a big mouthful for the Publicis group to swallow."
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