Publicis Groupe to lay off up to 200 employees at its digital agencies

Rolling layoffs are underway at Publicis Groupe, with more than 100 employees being let go at its digital agencies this week. These layoffs follow Publicis Media last week parting with 100 to 150 employees at its media shops including Spark Foundry, Publicis Health Media, Zenith and Publicis Collective, according to people familiar with the matter. This week, Publicis will lay off an estimated 150 to 200 employees across its digital experience agencies, which include Razorfish and Digitas, these people said. While the media agency layoffs were related to non-compliance with its return-to-office policies, it’s currently unclear whether non-compliance with that policy is also the impetus this week’s layoffs. Multiple sources described last week as “firings with no severance,” although that couldn’t be immediately verified. Check out the latest Ad Age events and award programs Publicis, which has 108,000 employees, declined to comment. A Publicis Media spokesman issued the following statement to Ad Age last week. “We have been clear and consistent about our policy that employees work from the office at least three days a week – an expectation that is being met and exceeded by the majority of our talent. We do not comment on individual employment changes.” Publicis Groupe has operated under a three-days-per-week in-office mandate, including mandatory Mondays and no consecutive remote days, since January 2024. The Groupe-wide mandate followed an earlier mandate given to employees within its digital department, which houses shops such as Razorfish and Digitas, to return to the office three days a week in late 2023. The company announced in 2023 that those who didn’t comply with the new policy may see a potential negative impact on performance outcomes, including loss of promotion opportunities, raises and more, according to an internal memo previously seen by Ad Age. Earlier this month, Publicis reported third-quarter organic revenue growth of 5.8% and net revenue of nearly $3.72 billion. The holding company also raised its 2024 guidance, forecasting growth of 5.5% for the year, up from the 5% it anticipated in July. Contributing: Ewan Larkin

Publicis Groupe to lay off up to 200 employees at its digital agencies

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