Even Publicis isn’t immune from from the Trump-originated economic storms breaking over ever-larger parts of the world. In Q3 2026 it reported organic growth of 5%, in. line with its forecast, inching up on Q2’s 4.8% to reach net revenue of €3.81bn when, judging by its recent performance it might have expected a little more.
European net revenue was up 4.7% (“largely flat” in the UK) led by media and creative but technology as a whole, a key part of the group’s offer, was down, blamed on events in the Middle East. North American net revenue grew 4.4%.
CEO Arthur Sadoun says: “Business momentum was strong on all fronts. Our marketing transformation capabilities benefited from the growing demand from clients for our AI-powered products and services, with Connected Media and Intelligent Creativity delivering high-single-digit and single-digit growth respectively.
“Technology improved sequentially, with the US already back to growth and the business expected to turn positive globally in Q4. At the same time, we had a record new business run, once again placing us at the top of the rankings.
“This was our 25th quarter of outperformance, and thanks to our unique ability to connect data, technology and talent through the Power of One, we are confident in confirming our full-year guidance for 2026 and in outperforming the market for the eighth consecutive year in 2027.
“Looking even further ahead, the reshaping of our industry around three global players is creating favourable conditions for our future growth. With our differentiated model and continued investment in the talent and capabilities our clients need to transform their business for the AI era, Publicis is uniquely equipped to benefit from this new competitive landscape.”
Publicis continues to take business from its peers, chiefly Omnicom and WPP, snatching Pepsico from Omnicom without a pitch and, similarly, landing LVMH in Apac from WPP among others.
