Marketing and corporate communications company Omnicom Group, Inc. and communications company Publicis Groupe SA (PUBGY, PGPEF), mutually agreed on Thursday to terminate their proposed merger of equals due to various unresolved complex issues that hinder a speedy merger.
The move to terminate the deal has the unanimous approved by the management board and the supervisory board of Publicis Groupe as well as the board of directors of Omnicom.
"The challenges that still remained to be overcome, in addition to the slow pace of progress, created a level of uncertainty detrimental to the interests of both groups and their employees, clients and shareholders. We have thus jointly decided to proceed along our independent paths. We, of course, remain competitors, but maintain a great respect for one another," the companies said in a joint statement.
The companies noted that no termination fees will be payable by either party. They added that they have released each other from all obligations with respect to the proposed deal, citing difficulties in completing the deal within a reasonable timeframe.
New York-based Omnicom and Paris, France-based Publicis Groupe agreed nearly a year ago in late July 2013 to merge to create the world's biggest ad agency in an all-stock transaction as a "merger of equals.'' The deal was originally expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2013 or the first quarter of 2014.
In mid-January, Omnicom and Publicis announced that they have received approval from the European Commission in connection with the pending merger.
The merged company was to be called Publicis Omnicom Group, and would have gad a market capitalization of $35.1 billion, generating annual sales of $22.7 billion. It would have become the world's largest advertising company, toppling the current market leader WPP Plc. (WPP.L, WPPGY).
OMC closed Thursday's regular trading session at $66.20, up $0.42 or 0.64% on a volume of 1.11 million shares. However, the stock lost $1.80 or 2.72% in after-hours trading.
Meanwhile, Publicis Groupe closed in Paris at 60.69 euros, up 0.39 euros or 0.65% on a volume of 0.59 million shares.
For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com
Business News
June 12, 2026 17:14 ET Major central bank action was the focus this week in economic news. The European Central Bank became the first major central bank to move in response to the rising inflationary pressures in the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East. In North America, the U.S. inflation and trade data as well as Canada’s central bank decision gained attention. The Chinese trade data was the main news in Asia.