Publicis establishes Asian footprint

Publicis Groupe has acquired Chinese independent interactive marketing agency Communication Central Group (CCG) for an undisclosed sum. The shop will be rebranded Digitas Greater China as part of an international rollout of Boston-based Digitas.

The largest digital agency of its kind in China, the agency has 200 employees in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Beijing and Shenzhen. The buy makes Publicis the regional leader in digital and interactive communications. The company has about 3,000 employees in 100 offices throughout China.

Digitas Greater China will serve all of CCG's existing clients, including Philips, Unilever, Intel, HSBC Investments and Nippon Paint.

Founder/CEO   of CCG, Neil Runcieman will become president and managing director of Digitas Greater China.