Google sells search marketing unit

Asia Pacific - Publicis Group has announced the acquisition of Google's search marketing business, Performics Search Marketing.

The Chicago-based Performics, with offices in Sydney, Singapore and Beijing, will strengthen Publicis' VivaKi Nerve Center, a strategic entity launched by the group in June.

VivaKi, which develops services, tools, including new and emerging performance marketing platforms, includes a number of performance marketing assets, including Phonevalley, Webformance, Click2Sales and iBase.

The addition of Performics will deliver a full and enhanced suite of performance marketing tools and capabilities, the company said.

"Performics will position Publicis Groupe and its clients to capitalise on the increasingly profitable search spending market," Maurice Lévy, chairman & CEO of Publicis Groupe, said in a statement.

"Not only will this acquisition bring critical mass to Publicis Groupe's formidable Search capabilities, but it will also enhance our affiliate marketing and overall performance marketing offering."