Publicis said it had won net new business of $2.5bn (£1.25bn) putting in a strong performance -- earlier this week it won the $150m global creative duties for financial services company Citi.
Maurice Levy, chairman and CEO of Publicis Groupe, said: "Our performance in the first quarter of 2007 allows us to confirm our organic growth target at around 5% for the year. Concerning our operating margin in 2007, the year will be marked by sustained efforts to cut costs... as well as the impact of the integration of Digitas."
As well as growth rates of over 10% in Latin America and South-East Asia and India, Southern and Central Europe also topped 10% in terms of growth while growth in the Middle East was described as very vigorous. In China, growth was less strong at 5.7% and reflected what Publicis described as "selective commercial policies adopted in 2006".
Performance in North America was satisfactory despite account losses while, other than Germany and Russia, growth in other parts of Western Europe declined.
In London, Publicis suffered terrible losses, losing £80m in billings including Asda (£43m), the Post Office (£12m) and MFI (£27m), leading to the resignation of chief executive Grant Duncan, the chief executive.
Publicis said that organic growth stood at 5% and would accelerate in the year ahead. It said that its integration of digital network Digitas, which it completed its acquisition of in January, was progressing smoothly. The digital network recorded revenue growth of 16.8% in the first quarter and revenues of $113m.
Publicis, which owns the global advertising networks Leo Burnett, Publicis, Saatchi & Saatchi, said that while its media and interactive activities were showing strong growth its healthcare communications businesses was experiencing a slight decline.
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