Nick Colucci Named President and CEO of Publicis Healthcare Communications Group

Nick Colucci Named President and CEO of Publicis Healthcare Communications Group

May 14, 2007

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.


    For more information, please contact:
                   
     Julie Laitin                     
     Email: [e-mail]    
     Tel:   [phone]
 
     Bridget Calafell 
     Email: [e-mail]