4.2.8 Innovations and partnerships
As the preferred partner of major digital platforms, Publicis Groupe has also formed technological partnerships with numerous businesses whether established companies or promising start-ups. The aim is to better understand the technical possibilities and work together to find new, intelligent solutions, and to meet client and consumer expectations.
On the basis of their expertise, Groupe entities have also developed different analysis and research methodologies, in particular for consumer behavior and sociological developments, and have developed software tools and specific systems to assist in serving clients.
Relations with start-ups and societal innovation
- VivaTech (created by Publicis Groupe and Les Echos Group). In six years, VivaTechnology has become the leading startup and tech event in Europe, and is recognized worldwide as a powerful catalyst for business transformation, startup growth and innovation for the common good. Every year, VivaTech brings together the top business leaders, start-ups, investors, researchers and thinkers from all over the world in Paris for a unique experience combining inspiration, networking and the discovery of innovations. Since 2021, VivaTech has been enhanced with a digital platform that brings together an even wider community of innovators. The last edition in June 2022 reached 149 countries, with nearly 1,800 startups, gathered more than 91,000 visitors on site in Paris including more than 2,000 investors and 300,000 online participants. The 7th edition of VivaTech will take place from June 14 to 17, 2023, in Paris and online, www.vivatechnology.com
- Some of the Groupe’s digital agencies have an internal Labwhich aims to create the optimal testing conditions for multi-disciplinary teams, particularly with regard to augmented reality, virtual reality, artificial intelligence and everything relating to the Internet of Things (IoT) or Metaverse. Technical partners and academics have joined forces for projects to co-develop innovative solutions.
- Since 2012, Publicis Groupe has been a partner of the IRIS fund. This fund supports 40 or so technology companies with an overall revenue totaling euro 2.2 billion and a total headcount of 10,600 people. IRIS focuses on technology companies as start-ups, Early Stage, Late Stage and Growth with high potential, radically transforming their sector through the use of new technologies of the Web, Cloud, Artificial Intelligence or Robotics, among others: it addresses in particular Industry 5.0, the Internet of Things, Cybersecurity, B2B software, Fintech, 5G networks and logistics and e-commerce (see www.iriscapital.com)
- Publicis Groupe is a partner of the FCPI Alpha Diamant II and Alpha Diamant IV, raised by the AlphaOmega Foundation with a societal purpose, of which 80% of the capital gains go to the Foundation’s actions. It provides support to associations active in helping young people and students in difficulty, who need to be supported in terms of training and reintegration, in order to regain their self-confidence and build their professional future (see www.alphaomegafondation.com)
- The Groupe has also been very involved with the ICM (Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Épinière) since its creation, and more recently in The Brain Fund 80% of the capital gains of which finance the fundamental research work and innovations of the ICM in neurological or psychiatric diseases.
4.2.9 Relations with other stakeholders
Stakeholders other than employees, clients and citizen-consumers are mentioned here. All stakeholders are invited to send their comments or questions to the Groupe’s CSR Department: csr@publicisgroupe.com
4.2.9.1 With shareholders and investors
The Company has been listed on the Paris Stock Exchange since 1970. It is one of the companies selected for the CAC 40 index. Detailed information on shareholders is provided in Section 8.2 of this document.
The Investor Relations Department (see Section 8.4.2 of this document) oversees everyday relations with investors and shareholders via numerous meetings and exchanges in various countries. The Investor Relations Department and the CSR Department work closely together with respect to ESG (Environmental-Social-Governance) or SRI (Socially Responsible Investments) requests from shareholders, investors, management companies or ratings agencies.
The press releases and presentations circulated throughout the year are accessible on the Groupe’s corporate website, in the Investor Relations section.
