Maurice Lévy (Publicis)
| Maurice Lévy | |
|---|---|
Maurice Lévy at the World Economic Forum in Tianjin, China, 2008
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| Born |
February 18, 1942 Oujda, French protectorate in Morocco |
| Residence | Paris, France |
| Nationality | French, Moroccan |
| Alma mater | New Jersey City University |
| Occupation | CEO, Publicis |
| Net worth | € 173 million (2013) |
| Term | 1987-2017 |
| Predecessor | Marcel Bleustein-Blanchet |
| Successor | Arthur Sadoun |
Maurice Lévy (born 18 February 1942), is a Moroccan French businessman, and the chief executive officer (CEO) of the advertising agency Publicis from 1987 to 2017, when he was succeeded by Arthur Sadoun.
Lévy joined Publicis in 1971 as its IT director. One of his most important feats was putting in place a data security policy, which involved backing up all of the company's data on magnetic tape. A fire in the company's office (on the Champs-Elysées) proved the success of his backup and restoration strategy, as the company was back on its feet one week later. He then became the anointed successor of the company's then owner and Chief Executive, Marcel Bleustein-Blanchet, who made him Chairman of the Management Board, and Chief Executive Officer in November 1987.
Since the death of Bleustein-Blanchet, Lévy has not only become the strong man of the company with the full backing of Elizabeth Badinter—the heir of Bleustein-Blanchet—but he has also succeeded in transforming the group into one of the powerhouses of the advertising world. Today, the Publicis Group is the world's 3rd largest advertising and media conglomerate, and Lévy is one of the most influential men in France and in advertising worldwide.
On 28 July 2013, Lévy announced the merger of Publicis and Omnicom to create the world's biggest advertising firm. The merger ultimately failed, but Publicis extended Lévy's term as CEO.
Lévy retired from his positions as CEO and chairman of Publicis Groupe in June 2017, succeeded by Arthur Sadoun.
In January 2008, Lévy was bestowed the International Leadership Award 2008 from the Anti-Defamation League in recognition of his stance towards tolerance and diversity. He also financed the 2008 concert at the Trocadéro to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the state of Israel.
From 2010 to June 2012 he was the president of the French Association of private sector companies.
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