Provisions for risks and litigation (euro 170 million) include a short-term component (euro 60 million) and a long-term component (euro 110 million). They relate to litigation of any type with third parties, including commercial and tax litigation but excluding risks relating to uncertain tax positions.
In April 2022, the Groupe received a notification of grievances from the Competition Authority in relation to practices implemented in the outdoor advertising sector in France. The procedure is ongoing.
On February 1, 2024, a comprehensive resolution was reached with all 50 State Attorneys General, the District of Columbia, and certain US Territories related to past work undertaken for opioid manufacturers primarily by former advertising agency Rosetta, bringing to a close, after almost three years of discussions, all complaints related to past work for opioid manufacturers—including by Rosetta (which has since merged into Publicis Health, LLC)— that could have been brought by these States and US Territories. The Attorneys General have recognized Publicis Health’s good faith and responsible corporate citizenship in reaching this resolution. In August 2024, all States and US Territories have received the settlement payment under the agreement. This settlement is in no way an admission of wrongdoing or liability.
As a reminder, on May 6, 2021, the Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts filed a lawsuit against Publicis Health, LLC, a subsidiary of Publicis Groupe, in connection with the work that the agency and its predecessor agencies did for Purdue Pharma from 2010 to 2018 related to the marketing of opioids. The Attorney General claimed that Publicis violated the Massachusetts consumer protection statute and created a public nuisance by participating in Purdue Pharma’s efforts to market and sell opioids. This case was settled as part of a global resolution, described above, with all US States and Territories. and the District of Columbia.
On September 19, 2023, Publicis Health, LLC was named as a codefendant in a similar action brought by St. Clair County in the Court of Illinois. Publicis Health filed a motion to dismiss. This complaint is expected to be dismissed due to the resolution reached with the 50 States (including Illinois) and the existence of an “opioid bar statute” in Illinois.
On April 16, 2024, Publicis Health LLC was named as a defendant in a putative class action brought by Cleveland Bakers and Teamsters Health and Welfare Fund on behalf of itself and purportedly all other third-party payors who allegedly incurred additional costs as a consequence of the opioid epidemic. This complaint was dismissed in February 2025, and the case is closed.
In November 2024, Publicis Health LLC was named as a defendant in a similar class action brought in front of the federal court in Chicago on behalf of a group of school districts in several states (Illinois, Ohio, Maryland, New Mexico, California, Maine and New York). Publicis Health LLC denies any wrongdoing or liability and has moved to dismiss the litigation. On September 8, 2025, the court rejected the claims brought by the group of school districts. The case is closed. In November 2025, some of the plaintiffs, joined by additional school districts, filed a new complaint by amending the complaint from the dismissed case. Publicis Health LLC again denies any wrongdoing or liability and has filed a motion to dismiss.
In February 2025, Publicis Media Canada was added to a similar opioid-related lawsuit filed in the Alberta King’s Bench Court by the City of Grande Prairie and The Corporation of the City of Brantford against 65 defendants. Publicis Media Canada has filed a motion to dismiss.
