February 3, 2026  |  SIGN UP

Ronan Shields
SENIOR REPORTER, AD TECH

Earlier this week, Publicis Groupe issued its full-year 2025 earnings figures, which looked positive given the period of global upheaval. 

However, underneath the surface, i.e., away from the investor relations narrative, a different picture emerges. This is especially the case as the competitive landscape of Madison Avenue will look much different in 2026 now that the InterPublic Group and Omnicom merger has been approved.  

Sources told Digiday Publicis had been considering a purchase of the industry's leading data onboarding outfit LiveRamp – a purchase that likely would have commanded a $2 billion-plus price tag – with several pointing to potential implications for Omnicom, now the largest agency holding group. 

Any such M&A talks between Publicis Groupe and LiveRamp did not result in a deal. While neither party commented when asked by Digiday, they pointed to a January 8 announcement of a partnership between the pair. 

However, it's worth pointing out how the group's leadership did not deny these claims when Digiday's story was directly put to them by equity analysts – listen here for exact details – instead saying it was open to deals at the right price. 

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