Publicis Acquires Korean Agency Portfolio

Publicis Groupe announced recently it has acquired South-Korean full-service digital agency Portfolio, adding to the group’s existing Asian operations in Beijing, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Taiwan, and New Delhi.

The agency will be integrated with Publicis’ existing digital global network, Publicis Modem, and re-branded as Publicis Modem Korea.

Portfolio currently provides services such as site development, and search and display campaigns for major international brands including Microsoft Korea, Marriott Hotels, and Nissan.

In a statement, Martin Reidy, CEO of Publicis Modem, said, “Asia is a critical market for Publicis Modem and a key part of our global expansion,” citing the group’s strategy of targeting high growth international markets.

Publicis has acquired two major Chinese digital players in the past year — EmporioAsia in May, and Communication Central Group last July.

The Group also released second quarter results today, claiming it’s on track to reach its aim of generating a quarter of revenues from digital by 2010. Digital constituted 18.8 percent of business in the first half of the year, up from 12.7 percent the previous year.