Publicis expects organic growth above 3% in 2010, said Friday Chairman of its Executive Maurice Levy in an interview with Reuters on the sidelines of the festival "Cannes Lions".
He reported an acceleration of organic growth of Publicis in the second quarter compared to the first and perspectives become more favorable for the second half.
Asked whether Publicis reach this year's target of 3% organic growth it had raised a month ago, Maurice Levy said, "I'm more optimistic than that."
The third group worldwide in terms of advertising revenue in 2012-2013 is expected to cut its operating margin at its peak of 16.7% in 2008 and then beyond, "said Maurice Levy.
The stabilization of the operating margin to 15% in 2010 is "perfectly feasible", he added, underlining the rapid integration of Internet advertising agency Razorfish, acquired from Microsoft in October 2009 and which he considers the impact on the margin of Publicis to 70 basis points.
"It may be that less given that they will perform, and if so this will impact positively on the edge" of Publicis, Maurice Lévy noted, highlighting the existing "strong" organic growth Razorfish, and improving its margins.
He said that Publicis were present in September its plan to accelerate its development in China, which will be mainly based on acquisitions.
Maurice Levy, whose mandate was extended beyond the end of December 31, 2011, said his successor would probably be chosen internally, according to a schedule already set but the group does not make it public.