Publicis JV looks for integration

Shanghai - Publicis has today announced a strategic partnership between its advertising network Saatchi & Saatchi and Chinese interactive agency Energy Source.

The joint venture, called Saatchi & Saatchi Energy Source Integrated Interactive Solutions, will focus specifically on the digital space covering CRM-centric marketing and online PR.

Energy Source Group is one of China's leading digital, media, PR and interactive companies with annual turnover of some US$29 million each year. The company will operate out of Shanghai and Guangzhou.

"This is a revolutionary partnership of two very strong ideas companies united by the dream of transforming China's digital landscape," Pully Chau (pictured), CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi China, said in a statement.

"Marketing today is all about being innovative, integrated and interactive. In order to benefit from this new marketing solutions model, companies need to find new ways of cooperating and collaborating."

"This joint venture is a decisive step for us at Energy Source," exclaimed

Ken Ying, CEO of Energy Source Integrated Interactive Solutions, added that the JV will enable the group to tap the international scale of the Publicis Groupe.

"There is no limit to the positive synergies we will generate," he said.

ZenithOptimedia forecasts that the total China advertising industry is anticipated to grow at 25% this year, reaching US$29 billion.

Online advertising is now the fastest-growing medium in China and accounts for 7% of the total market pie and is estimated at more than US$2 billion.