Publicis Groupe Founder Marcel Bleustein-Blanchet First Frenchman Inducted Into "Advertising Hall of Fame"

PARIS, January 10 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Advertising Federation (AAF) announced today the induction of Marcel Bleustein-Blanchet, the founder of Publicis Groupe, into the Advertising Hall of Fame. This highest industry honor makes Marcel Bleustein-Blanchet the very first international adman to win this prestigious distinction since the Hall of Fame was created in 1948.

The AAF is recognizing Marcel Bleustein-Blanchet (1906-1996) for his pioneering role in modernizing advertising and for enhancing the reputation of American brands in Europe and around the world, including Colgate, Singer, and American Home Products. In this last half century, only 170 individuals have been selected to the Hall of Fame, including such legendary figures of the advertising, communications and marketing universe as Leo Burnett, Raymond Rubicam, George Gallup, William Bernbach, and David Sarnoff.

Maurice Levy, Chairman and CEO of Publicis Groupe said, "The AAF's recognition of Marcel Bleustein-Blanchet's huge role in our industry fills all of us at Publicis Groupe with great pride. Marcel helped to revolutionize modern advertising through a wonderful combination of daring, genius, passion, energy and conviction. He was a pioneer in so many sectors of the communications industry, from the first commercial radio broadcasts in France in the 1930s, to advertising in movie theaters, to groundbreaking marketing research tools. Without him, Publicis Groupe would not exist as it does today."

Tim Love, Chairman of the Advertising Hall of Fame and Vice-Chairman of Omnicom Group Inc. added, "The induction of Marcel Bleustein-Blanchet into the AAF's Hall of Fame is a great reminder that advertising is a global industry and a global language. Marcel Bleustein-Blanchet lived and breathed the notion that the respect of differences - cultural, geographic, artistic - enriches all of us on the planet."

Publicis Groupe (Euronext: FR0000130577) (Paris: FR0000130577) (NYSE: PUB) is the world's fourth largest communications group. In addition, it is ranked as the world's second largest media counsel and buying group, and is a global leader in digital and healthcare communications. With activities spanning 104 countries on five continents, the Groupe employs approximately 44,000 professionals.

The Groupe offers local and international clients a complete range of communication services, from advertising, through three autonomous global advertising networks, Leo Burnett, Publicis, Saatchi & Saatchi and two multi-hub networks, Fallon and 49%-owned Bartle Bogle Hegarty; to media consultancy and buying, through two worldwide networks, Starcom MediaVest Group and ZenithOptimedia; interactive and digital marketing led by Digitas; Specialized Agencies and Marketing Services (SAMS) offering healthcare communications, corporate and financial communications, public relations, CRM and direct marketing, event communications, sports marketing and multicultural communications.

Web site: http://www.publicisgroupe.com

The American Advertising Federation

The American Advertising Federation (AAF), headquartered in Washington, D.C., acts as the "Unifying Voice for Advertising." The AAF is the oldest American advertising trade association, representing 50,000 professionals in the advertising industry. The AAF has a national network of 200 ad clubs located in ad communities across the United States. Through its 215 college chapters, the AAF provides 6,500 advertising students with real-world case studies and recruitment connections to corporate America. The AAF also has 130 blue-chip corporate members that are advertisers, agencies and media companies, comprising the nation's leading brands and corporations.

Web site: http://www.aaf.org

The Advertising Hall of Fame honors the extraordinary achievements of advertising leaders - from their significant contributions to the advertising industry to their personal commitment to society. The Advertising Hall of Fame began in 1948 as a result of a proposal by the New York Ad Club, the predecessor organization to the American Advertising Federation. The plan provided that the Advertising Hall of Fame be administered by the Advertising Federation of America on behalf of the entire advertising industry for at least 50 years. It honors those men and women who have best served the cause of advertising. Since then, 170 extraordinary individuals have been elected to this illustrious group.

The council of judges and its executive committee are appointed each year by the president of the American Advertising Federation and chair of the Advertising Hall of Fame. These distinguished industry executives are chosen from the ranks of advertisers, agencies, media organizations and academic institutions in the United States. The council of judges considers the election of either living or deceased persons whose record of advertising and service must be accomplished in the United States or with an American company abroad. To be eligible, individuals must be retired from their primary careers.

Web site: http://www.advertisinghalloffame.org

    
    CONTACTS:

    Publicis Groupe:
    Peggy Nahmany, Corporate Communications: +33-(0)1-44-43-72-83
    Martine Hue, Investor Relations: +33-(0)1-44-43-65-00

    American Advertising Federation:
    Anna Grbenick +1-212-898-0089