French communications giant Publicis Groupe has acquired Atomic 212, Australia's largest independent media agency. This move by ANZ boss Mike Rebelo bucks the trend of many rivals steering clear of media agency acquisitions due to significant shifts and challenges within the broader media sector.The acquisition of Atomic 212, announced to staff, includes a four-year earnout for the agency's leadership team, who will retain equity and maintain operational independence within the Publicis Media unit. This unit houses other prominent agencies such as Spark Foundry, Zenith, and Starcom.The Publicis deal concludes months of speculation surrounding a potential acquisition by Accenture, who were reportedly eager to accelerate their media buying and planning ambitions across the Asia-Pacific region.Atomic 212 executive chairman Barry O'Brien acknowledged that while he could not confirm specific discussions with Accenture, the agency had received interest from various parties. "Yeah, from time to time people were knocking on our door," O'Brien stated. "This was a particularly well-conducted process. Publicis was very thorough, and their M&A team is world-class."Accenture has since indicated its intention to build its media capabilities organically. However, Matt Michael, the new ANZ head of Accenture's Droga5 (formerly The Monkeys), did not rule out future media agency acquisitions. Accenture is reportedly still in contention for the Optus media review, currently held by IPG Mediabrands' UM.This acquisition marks O'Brien's third media agency venture in the Australian market. He previously sold Total Media to Clemenger 20 years ago, which later became the foundation for Omnicom Media Group's global agency brand, PHD, in 2007.While the acquisition price remains undisclosed, industry estimates place it between $35 million and $50 million, based on Atomic 212's annual media billings of $265 million and revenues of approximately $35 million.5Publicis ANZ Group CEO Mike Rebelo revealed that discussions with O'Brien commenced in January 2024, and by mid-year, he had presented the acquisition proposal to global leadership. "We've been working on our strategic plan since then," Rebelo stated.Despite being a local independent without the resources of a global conglomerate, Atomic 212 has successfully secured several high-profile media contracts, outperforming Publicis Media units in competitive pitches. The agency boasts a prestigious client roster, including BMW, Bluescope, Salesforce, Bupa, Origin Energy, Chinese automaker GWM, and Tourism NT. O'Brien assured clients that they had been briefed on the acquisition and were "delighted" by the prospect.Rebelo emphasized that Atomic 212 will retain its brand and operational autonomy. "The last thing I'm going to do is acquire Australia's fastest-growing media agency and dictate its operations. They have complete empowerment from the group to continue their current trajectory."Diversification StrategyThe Atomic 212 acquisition aligns with Publicis' ongoing strategy of diversifying its portfolio through strategic acquisitions. Over the past decade, the company has acquired several agencies, including media agency Match (now part of Spark Foundry), for an estimated $60 million. Other acquisitions, such as Mercerbell, Balance Internet, MBM Media, and Affinity ID, have expanded the holding company's service offerings with specialized capabilities in digital, CRM, and e-commerce.1According to Rebelo, unifying these specialized capabilities across client brands is the "formula for growth." "We want them to be the weapons in the market?Çöthrough product, through people, through culture."

Shameek Bose has joined FleishmanHillard as the agency's inaugural global lead of responsible business and impact, bringing with him two decades of experience in sustainability and ESG.In this newly established position, Bose will guide companies in adapting their business models to align with the expectations of various stakeholders, including consumers, regulators, employees, and shareholders.With approximately 20 years of experience, Bose has been a trusted advisor on sustainability, social impact, the future of work, and responsible AI.Before joining FleishmanHillard, Bose was with Accenture, where he assisted C-suites and boards in developing governance for sustainability and ESG goals. He also served seven years as a global leadership fellow and lead for business engagement at the World Economic Forum.

Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has acquired Unlimited, the award-winning integrated customer engagement agency, which will become part of Accenture Song?Çöthe world?ÇÖs largest tech-powered creative group. The acquisition will enhance Accenture Song?ÇÖs ability to scale its offerings and unlock greater value from generative AI. With deep expertise in behavioral science, customer strategy and CRM activation, the acquisition of Unlimited further bolsters Accenture Song's capabilities to drive marketing transformation, relevance, and growth for its clients.Unlimited, which has earned over 100 industry awards, comprises of TMW, Walnut, Health Unlimited and Nelson Bostock. Unlimited places data and a deep understanding of human behavior at the core of its offering through its proprietary Human Understanding Lab & AI-powered digital insights platform LUCA, complementing Accenture Song's existing capabilities in data and analytics.Dame Annette King, global lead, marketing practice, Accenture Song, said: ?Ç£There are few agencies that have proven to be as impressive as Unlimited over the last few years. The world of CRM is more crucial to brands than ever before and there is no greater partner for it than generative AI-powered creativity. We?ÇÖre excited to welcome the team into the Accenture Song fold and most importantly, we can?ÇÖt wait for the opportunities that now exist for our clients and talent.?Ç¥Sohel Aziz, UK, Ireland and Africa lead, Accenture Song said: ?Ç£We?ÇÖre delighted to welcome Unlimited into Accenture Song. We have a shared vision for the future of CRM combined with the power of generative AI to enable the delivery of ever more relevant and impactful customer experience. Our values are wholly aligned, and we look forward to creating value and growth for our clients together.?Ç¥The acquisition of Unlimited is the latest in a series of continued investments by Accenture Song to drive growth for its clients amid rapidly evolving business landscapes and consumer behaviour, following the acquisitions of GemSeek, Mindcurv, Work & Co, Rabbit?ÇÖs Tale, ConcentricLife, Fiftyfive5 and The Stable.Headquartered in London, with additional locations in Bristol, Winchester and Reading, Unlimited?ÇÖs nearly 600 employees will join Accenture Song?ÇÖs UK team aligned to the marketing practice under Bill Scott, marketing practice lead, UK, Ireland and Africa, Accenture Song.Chris Mellish, CEO Unlimited Group said: ?Ç£To be joining such an ambitious and forward-thinking strategic organization is a massive moment for us. We have found a home where both our people and our clients can continue to thrive in an organization that has its eye towards shaping the future of our industry. We can?ÇÖt wait to see the positive impact we?ÇÖll be able to make on our clients together.?Ç¥Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.Forward-Looking StatementsExcept for the historical information and discussions contained herein, statements in this news release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as ?Ç£may,?Ç¥ ?Ç£will,?Ç¥ ?Ç£should,?Ç¥ ?Ç£likely,?Ç¥ ?Ç£anticipates,?Ç¥ ?Ç£aspires,?Ç¥ ?Ç£expects,?Ç¥ ?Ç£intends,?Ç¥ ?Ç£plans,?Ç¥ ?Ç£projects,?Ç¥ ?Ç£believes,?Ç¥ ?Ç£estimates,?Ç¥ ?Ç£positioned,?Ç¥ ?Ç£outlook,?Ç¥ ?Ç£goal,?Ç¥ ?Ç£target?Ç¥ and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance nor promises that goals or targets will be met, and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied.These risks include, without limitation, risks that: the transaction might not achieve the anticipated benefits for Accenture; Accenture?ÇÖs results of operations have been, and may in the future be, adversely affected by volatile, negative or uncertain economic and political conditions and the effects of these conditions on the company?ÇÖs clients?ÇÖ businesses and levels of business activity; Accenture?ÇÖs business depends on generating and maintaining client demand for the company?ÇÖs services and solutions including through the adaptation and expansion of its services and solutions in response to ongoing changes in technology and offerings, and a significant reduction in such demand or an inability to respond to the evolving technological environment could materially affect the company?ÇÖs results of operations; if Accenture is unable to match people and their skills with client demand around the world and attract and retain professionals with strong leadership skills, the company?ÇÖs business, the utilization rate of the company?ÇÖs professionals and the company?ÇÖs results of operations may be materially adversely affected; Accenture faces legal, reputational and financial risks from any failure to protect client and/or company data from security incidents or cyberattacks; the markets in which Accenture operates are highly competitive, and Accenture might not be able to compete effectively; Accenture?ÇÖs ability to attract and retain business and employees may depend on its reputation in the marketplace; if Accenture does not successfully manage and develop its relationships with key ecosystem partners or fails to anticipate and establish new alliances in new technologies, the company?ÇÖs results of operations could be adversely affected; Accenture?ÇÖs profitability could materially suffer if the company is unable to obtain favourable pricing for its services and solutions, if the company is unable to remain competitive, if its cost-management strategies are unsuccessful or if it experiences delivery inefficiencies or fail to satisfy certain agreed-upon targets or specific service levels; changes in Accenture?ÇÖs level of taxes, as well as audits, investigations and tax proceedings, or changes in tax laws or in their interpretation or enforcement, could have a material adverse effect on the company?ÇÖs effective tax rate, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition; Accenture?ÇÖs results of operations could be materially adversely affected by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; changes to accounting standards or in the estimates and assumptions Accenture makes in connection with the preparation of its consolidated financial statements could adversely affect its financial results; as a result of Accenture?ÇÖs geographically diverse operations and strategy to continue to grow in key markets around the world, the company is more susceptible to certain risks; if Accenture is unable to manage the organizational challenges associated with its size, the company might be unable to achieve its business objectives; Accenture might not be successful at acquiring, investing in or integrating businesses, entering into joint ventures or divesting businesses; Accenture?ÇÖs business could be materially adversely affected if the company incurs legal liability; Accenture?ÇÖs global operations expose the company to numerous and sometimes conflicting legal and regulatory requirements; Accenture?ÇÖs work with government clients exposes the company to additional risks inherent in the government contracting environment; if Accenture is unable to protect or enforce its intellectual property rights or if Accenture?ÇÖs services or solutions infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others or the company loses its ability to utilize the intellectual property of others, its business could be adversely affected; Accenture may be subject to criticism and negative publicity related to its incorporation in Ireland; as well as the risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed under the ?Ç£Risk Factors?Ç¥ heading in Accenture plc?ÇÖs most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other documents filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements in this news release speak only as of the date they were made, and Accenture undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements made in this news release or to conform such statements to actual results or changes in Accenture?ÇÖs expectations.