Universal Registration Document 2024

2.1 Main risk factors

2. Risks and Risk Management

2.1 Main risk factors

2.1 MAIN RISK FACTORS

The risk factors described below, together with the other information concerning Publicis Groupe and its consolidated financial statements included in this Universal Registration Document should be carefully considered before making an investment in the shares or other securities of Publicis Groupe. This section covers the main risks to which Publicis Groupe feels exposed to, as of the date of this Universal Registration Document. Each one of the risk factors may have a negative impact on the Groupe’s earnings and financial position as well as on its share price or financial instruments. Other risks and uncertainties of which Publicis is unaware of or which are not currently considered to be significant could also have a negative impact on the Groupe.

Description of the main risk factors

In accordance with the provisions of article 16 of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129, in each of the risk categories mentioned below, risks are presented in descending order of significance according to the Groupe’s assessment at the date of this document. The risk factors considered the most significant are presented first, following an assessment of their potential impact and likelihood after taking into account the mitigating measures implemented. The significance of the risks, as assessed by Publicis Groupe, may be amended at any time in light of changes in the Groupe’s activities and circumstances.

At the filing date of this Universal Registration Document, the geopolitical environment remains marked by the continued conflict in the Middle East and between Russia and Ukraine. The Groupe’s direct exposure to these conflict countries is low (less than 0.4% of revenue).

The United States has initiated many changes, in particular through Executive Orders. These cover various aspects of economic life and may impact the Groupe’s operations, its clients and partners in the United States and other countries. As of the date of this Universal Registration Document, the Groupe, like all economic players, is unable to assess their impact on its activities.

The Groupe risk mapping exercise, carried out in the last quarter of 2024, did not reveal any major risks after considering the mitigating measures in place. The methodology used is detailed in Section 2.2.4 “Risk management framework”.

In general, all the risks identified below must be considered in light of the consequences of a very uncertain geopolitical and macroeconomic context.

Risk factors(1)

Categories Risk factors Potential impact Page number Topic addressed in the Sustainability reports
Industry-related risks Industry-related risks

Risk factors

Particular s

ensitivity to the economic and geopolitical conditions

Industry-related risks

Potential impact

High

Industry-related risks

Page number

41

Industry-related risks Topic addressed in

the Sustainability reports

 

Categories

Highly

competitive industry

Risk factors

High

Potential impact

41

Page number

 

Operational risks

Operational risks

Risk factors

Cybercrime

and IT systems failures

Operational risks

Potential impact

High

Operational risks

Page number

42

Operational risks

Topic addressed in

the Sustainability reports

 

Categories

Risks

associated with client portfolios

Risk factors

High

Potential impact

43

Page number

4.1.9

Categories

Risks

related to employees

Risk factors

Medium

Potential impact

45

Page number

4.1.9

Categories

Risks

related to mergers and acquisitions

Risk factors

Medium

Potential impact

46

Page number

4.1.9

Categories

Risks

related to artificial intelligence

Risk factors

Medium

Potential impact

48

Page number

 

Regulatory and legal risks

Regulatory and legal risks

Risk factors

Personal

data confidentiality

Regulatory and legal risks

Potential impact

High

Regulatory and legal risks

Page number

44

Regulatory and legal risks

Topic addressed in

the Sustainability reports

4.1.9

Categories

Risks

of litigation, governmental, legal and arbitration proceedings

Risk factors

Medium

Potential impact

47

Page number

4.1.9

Financial risks Financial risks

Risk factors

Groupe’s

liquidity and financial rating

Financial risks

Potential impact

Low

Financial risks

Page number

48

Financial risks Topic addressed in

the Sustainability reports

 

(1) [ESRS 2 SBM-3-48 (a)]