Publicis Buys Communication Central Group, China's Biggest Indie Ad Agency

Advertising group Publicis is still on the acquisition trail to beef up its digital marketing faculties .

The Paris-based outfit has bought Communication Central Group (CCG), China’s leading independent digital marketing agency, for an undisclosed amount.

CCG, which has offices in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Beijing and Shenzen, will be rebranded “Digitas Greater China.”

Publicis is aiming to increase revenue from digital to 25 percent by 2010.

In December, it spent $1.3 billion to acquire Digitas, which had previously worked closely with CCG.

Last month, it bought Business Interactif, a French agency, for $182 million; and it is rolling out as “Digitas UK” and “Digitas France.”

The latest deal, overnight, gives it big clout in the Far East.

CCG CEO and founder Neil Runcieman will become president and managing director of Digitas Greater China.