Nick Colucci Named President and CEO of Publicis Healthcare Communications Group

Appointment Marks Culmination of 3-year Succession Plan

NEW YORK, May 14 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Nick Colucci has been appointed President and CEO of Publicis Healthcare Communications Group (NYSE: PUB), replacing Ed Rady, his mentor and colleague for the past 11 years. Mr. Rady, who has been named Chairman, will remain in that position through the end of the year.

The move, in the works for three years, marks one of the smoothest transitions in advertising history. Mr. Colucci, 47, was named Mr. Rady's successor in 2004, when he was promoted to the position of COO. Since then, he has gradually assumed all the responsibilities that go with the CEO's job, beginning with North American operations for Advertising and Medical Education. Last year, his portfolio was expanded to include International Operations.

As CEO, Mr. Colucci will be responsible for all the companies of Publicis Healthcare Communications Group, including Medical and Scientific Affairs, the Contract Sales Organization (Publicis Selling Solutions) and various digital businesses. He reports to John Farrell, President and CEO of Specialized Agencies & Marketing Services (SAMS), Publicis Groupe Worldwide.

"Publicis Groupe has built a powerhouse in healthcare communications," said John Farrell, who pointed out that the agency is the only global communications group that houses nearly all of its healthcare companies under a single umbrella.

"The integration of these agencies into a single organization allows for greater collaboration," he explained. "And collaboration means greater strength, creativity and market share. Together, Ed and Nick have propelled the group toward tremendous growth. Now Nick, with his boundless energy and passion, will accelerate that growth as we move ahead."

The healthcare division has been on a growth trajectory ever since its inception in 2003. Revenues have increased by more than 50 percent. Saatchi & Saatchi Healthcare and Medicus Group are among the leading brands in the division.

Mr. Colucci, who joined Medicus in 1997, became its president in 2000. When Mr. Rady became the first CEO of Publicis Healthcare, Mr. Colucci was named COO. And when Mr. Rady set a timetable for stepping down, Mr. Colucci was his designated heir.

"Nick is an outstanding manager," Mr. Rady said, adding that the two have had an excellent relationship throughout the transition period. The former CEO, who is 58, looks forward to ending a 10-year commute to the New York office from his home in Scottsdale, Arizona. He will remain as an advisor to the management team throughout 2007.

"Strategies may change. But core principles-such as integrity, collaboration, communication and learning-never do," said Mr. Colucci, who began his career at Hoffmann-LaRoche, Inc. as a sales representative, and gradually worked his way up to Marketing Director.

A graduate of the University of Rochester, where he earned a BS in neuroscience, Mr. Colucci also has an MBA from Loyola College of Maryland. He lives in Westfield, NJ with his wife, Ellie, and their three children.

About Publicis Healthcare Communications Group

The Healthcare Group is a fully-integrated division of Publicis Groupe SA. As one of the largest healthcare communications groups in the world, Publicis Healthcare has more than 2,700 employees in 10 countries. Worldwide services include advertising, medical education, sales and marketing, and medical and scientific affairs. Publicis Healthcare offers its clients a strategic partnership, a strong focus on ensuring value for their marketing spend, and exceptional performance on their assignments. Web site: http://www.publicishealthcare.com

About Publicis Groupe

Publicis Groupe (Euronext Paris: FR0000130577 and NYSE: PUB) is the world's fourth largest communications group, as well as world's second largest media counsel and buying group. With activities spanning 104 countries on five continents, the Groupe employs approximately 42,000 professionals.

The Groupe's communication activities cover advertising, through three autonomous global advertising networks: Leo Burnett, Publicis, Saatchi & Saatchi, as well as through its two multi-hub networks Fallon Worldwide and 49%-owned Bartle Bogle Hegarty; media consultancy and buying through two worldwide networks ZenithOptimedia and Starcom MediaVest Group; interactive and digital marketing, marketing services and specialized communications including direct marketing, public relations, corporate and financial communications, event communications, multicultural and with a worldwide leadership in healthcare communications.