France's Publicis predicted modest underlying growth for 2016 but avoided setting precise full-year targets as it digests a $3.7 billion acquisition and reorganises its businesses.
The full integration of digital and ad specialist Sapient, bought a year ago, and the internal reorganisation of Publicis' agencies to foster greater collaboration and better serve clients will be the two key drivers to its success, Chief Executive Officer Maurice Levy said.
The world's third-biggest advertising group expects an increase in sales and operating profit in 2016, which it calls a year of transition.
Publicis cut in October its 2015 organic growth target, which excludes acquisitions and is measured at constant exchange rates, to 1 percent from an initial 2.5 percent.