PARIS, May 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Effective immediately, Modem Media becomes Publicis Modem, the new global digital arm of Publicis Worldwide. The move signifies the critical role digital will play throughout the Publicis network around the world, with Publicis Modem at the forefront. Martin Reidy, formerly President, Modem Media, will lead this effort as Chief Executive Officer of the new Publicis Modem. Martin Reidy will also assume the role of CEO of Publicis Dialog, a top digital and marketing services agency with offices in over forty countries. Martin Reidy will report to Richard Pinder, Chief Operating Officer, Publicis, and will sit on the Worldwide Executive Committee of the network.

Publicis Modem will expand internationally by aligning with Publicis Dialog operations and offices in the US & Canada, Europe, Middle East, Asia, Latin America and Australia. Mr. Reidy will oversee one cohesive leadership team for Publicis Modem and Publicis Dialog, which is one of the leading global networks in interactive, CRM, and promotions. Details on the new organization will be defined over the next few weeks.

Together Publicis Modem and Publicis Dialog will have over 2,000 employees worldwide, and will form a global powerhouse of digital expertise. Modem Media has been mainly based in San Francisco and Norwalk (Connecticut), in the US, and London in the UK, and the Modem Media headquarters in San Francisco will immediately become Publicis Modem's global headquarters. Publicis Modem in London retains the high profile global HP relationship. Other London clients move to Digitas as that agency establishes a UK presence.

Olivier Fleurot, Executive Chairman of Publicis, said: "This move will help us to create more innovative solutions for our clients. The demand for on-line services is growing rapidly and this move confirms our commitment to strengthening our capabilities in the digital world. We are very happy to welcome our Modem Media colleagues into the Publicis family."

Richard Pinder, COO, Publicis, said: "When Olivier and I arrived, we made the digital future of our industry a top priority. This is a major step towards that future. In bringing Modem's skills to bear on Dialog, we will be both expanding geographically as well as increasing our range of service capabilities. The combination of Publicis Dialog and Publicis Modem will deeply increase our holistic strengths."

Martin Reidy, new CEO of Publicis Modem and Publicis Dialog, concluded, "The fit with Modem and the Publicis family has already been very powerful. By aligning ourselves directly with the Publicis network we can create an even greater impact for our clients. More than ever above-the line and below-the line marketing efforts must be developed as a combined strategy. Publicis Modem has the reach, scope and depth to set a new standard in integrated, global, digital initiatives. Paired with Publicis Dialog, we can additionally lead our clients in innovative CRM and promotions. We have a vision for Modem and this takes the agency and our capabilities to the next level very, very quickly."

Colin Hearn, currently worldwide CEO Publicis Dialog, will be leaving the company. Richard Pinder recognized the contribution Mr. Hearn made, stating, "We would like to thank Colin for more than three years of hard work in expanding the geographic reach of Dialog as well as building on the quality of the offering."

About Publicis Modem

Publicis Modem is a digital and direct marketing agency that works with world-class companies across the globe in more than 40 countries, with 250 employees. Publicis Modem offers a range of integrated marketing services, including strategy and planning; award winning creative design and execution; media research, planning and buying; search marketing; online and offline direct marketing; and technology enablement. Publicis Modem is part of the network Publicis and a member of the Paris-based Publicis Groupe .

About Publicis Dialog

Publicis Dialog is a Marketing Services network with over 2,000 employees in 43 offices in 36 countries. Publicis Dialog is part of Publicis, the network, the largest one in Europe. The core disciplines of Publicis Dialog include CRM, Direct Marketing, Digital/Interactive, and Sales Promotion. Publicis Dialog handles many blue chip clients globally, regionally and locally, including: Beam Global Spirits and Wine Inc., Hewlett Packard, Renault, McDonalds, Coca Cola, Nestle, Sony Playstation, L'Oreal, Virgin Atlantic. For more details see the website: http://www.publicis-dialog.com/

About Publicis Worldwide

As the founding pillar of Publicis Groupe, Publicis is the largest network within our organization. With over 9,100 employees in 251 offices across 82 countries, Publicis is the largest network in Europe and the sixth largest in the world. Its unique approach: La Holistique Difference. This entails having a large palette of skills and expertise to address all of a client's communication needs. French by origin, European by essence, Publicis prides itself on its unmatched understanding of multicultural challenges. Key clients are: Nestle, L'Oreal, HP, Renault, Sanofi-Aventis, UBS, P&G and more. Website: http://www.publicis.com/

CONTACT: Contacts: Janice Snook, for Publicis Modem, +1-650-347-4275;
Kasha Kruse, Publicis, +33-(0)1-44-43-79-98