Agency & Consultancy · vs · Agency & Consultancy
Publicis Media vs Serviceplan Group
Structured technology and market comparison · 2026
Direct Feature Comparison
Publicis Media · vs · Serviceplan GroupGerman media agency network for planning, buying and optimising advertising.
Integrated independent agency group for brands and marketing teams.
Comparison Analysis
What is the main difference between Publicis Media and Serviceplan Group?
When comparing Publicis Media and Serviceplan Group, both platforms operate within the Demand-Side Platform (DSP), Connected TV (CTV) & OTT, and Media & Campaign Planning ecosystem. Publicis Media is positioned as German media agency network for planning, buying and optimising advertising, whereas Serviceplan Group focuses on Integrated independent agency group for brands and marketing teams. Decision-makers evaluate both solutions when orchestrating their commercial monetization and technology stack.
What are the top alternatives to Publicis Media and Serviceplan Group?
When evaluating Publicis Media and Serviceplan Group, enterprise buyers also consider other platforms in Demand-Side Platform (DSP), Connected TV (CTV) & OTT, and Media & Campaign Planning. You can discover the full competitive landscape and evaluate other alternatives by viewing their respective footprint profiles on Polaris7.
Market Signals
Recent Market Signals & Activity: Publicis Media vs Serviceplan Group
Documented market movements, strategic partnerships, product releases, and regulatory developments mapped across Polaris7.
Publicis Media
Recent Signals
- ·MeediaAgency Business Models
GWA Study: CMOs Shift In-House, Agencies Need New Models
The German Association of Advertising Agencies (GWA) has published a white paper titled "The New Value. Agencies in the Tension Between AI Maturity and Customer Expectations." Based on surveys of 170 CEOs/CMOs and 78 agency executives, the study reveals that 80% of marketing decision-makers plan to move more work in-house thanks to AI, particularly in research (52%), creative (50%), and production (44%). However, only 8% expect agency roles to shrink, suggesting agencies will take on new strategic and integration tasks. The study highlights that AI is deeply embedded in agency workflows, with 76% having AI-based offerings, yet 67% cite talent shortages as a top hurdle. It challenges assumptions that AI lowers costs, pointing to new costs in licenses, infrastructure, and governance. Only 10% of companies have fully integrated AI into their processes, indicating an industry in transition.
- 80% of surveyed CEOs/CMOs plan to move more marketing tasks in-house due to AI.
- 52% plan to increase in-house research/market research, 50% in creative, 44% in production.
- Only 8% of companies expect agency importance to shrink.
- ·MeediaInfluencer Marketing
Publicis Study: Influencers Drive Purchase Decisions
A Publicis Media study, “Publicis More: Influencer Impact,” surveyed 1,300 people aged 18–75 in Germany (data collected online 8–22 June 2026) and finds influencer content plays a major role across the customer journey. Two-thirds of platform users consume influencer content at least daily; Instagram (75%), TikTok (73%) and YouTube (62%) show the highest daily usage. Overall, 40% said they discovered products or trends via influencers (54% Gen Z), 47% have bought an influencer-recommended product (59% Gen Z), and more than half in every generation rate social media influence higher than classic media. The study also reports generational differences in preferred formats (short vs. long video) and platform use for entertainment, inspiration and information.
- Publicis Media Data Studio surveyed 1,300 people in Germany aged 18–75 for the study “Publicis More: Influencer Impact.”
- Data collection took place online from 8 to 22 June 2026.
- Two-thirds of users of the examined platforms consume influencer content at least once daily; daily usage: Instagram 75%, TikTok 73%, YouTube 62%.
- ·MeediaAgency & Consultancy
Kering moves global media account to Publicis
French luxury group Kering has awarded its global media account to Publicis Media following a pitch, ending the incumbent relationship with Dentsu's iProspect which had handled the business since 2021. Publicis previously worked on Kering via its Zenith network until 2021, so the win is described as a comeback for the Paris-based agency group. Neither Publicis nor Kering commented to MEEDIA. The report notes Kering is undergoing restructuring under CEO Luca de Meo and recently appointed Romain Spitzer as CEO of Bottega Veneta, effective 1 September.
- Kering awarded its global media account to Publicis Media after a pitch.
- The incumbent, iProspect (a Dentsu network), had managed Kering's media since 2021 and lost the pitch.
- Publicis previously served Kering through its Zenith network until 2021; the new Publicis network brand handling the account is not yet disclosed.
Serviceplan Group
Recent Signals
- ·HorizontHiring
Serviceplan Boosting Health appoints Christian Necker as co-CEO
Serviceplan Boosting Health, the healthcare agency of the Serviceplan Group, is expanding its leadership with a dual leadership structure. Christian Necker is joining Dörthe Besse as co-managing director. Necker, who previously worked as a freelance marketing and communications consultant for the past six months, will be responsible for driving artificial intelligence initiatives within the agency. The appointment is part of Serviceplan's strategy to strengthen its healthcare offering with AI expertise. Necker is a familiar face, having previously worked at Serviceplan.
- Christian Necker appointed co-Managing Director at Serviceplan Boosting Health.
- Necker joins Dörthe Besse to form new dual leadership.
- Necker was a freelance marketing and communications consultant for the past six months.
- ·HorizontAgency Pitch / Client Win
ING Germany Appoints Saint Elmo's as Creative Agency
ING Germany has appointed Saint Elmo's, a subsidiary of the Serviceplan Group, as its new creative agency following a competitive pitch against several participants. The decision comes as part of ING's ongoing efforts to refresh its brand communications and creative strategy. Saint Elmo's will be responsible for developing and executing creative campaigns for the financial services provider, with the first project already in progress. The pitch win marks a significant addition to Saint Elmo's client portfolio and reinforces the agency's position in the German market. The move is seen as part of broader trends in the banking sector to modernize their marketing approaches and engage with customers through more compelling creative content.
- Saint Elmo's, a subsidiary of the Serviceplan Group, has won the creative pitch for ING Germany.
- The pitch involved multiple unnamed participants competing for the account.
- The first creative work from Saint Elmo's is already underway for ING Germany.
- ·MeediaHiring
Julian Uhlhaas named Vaude Head of Marketing
Julian Uhlhaas took over as Head of Marketing at Vaude on August 1, 2026, succeeding long-serving marketing chief Manfred Meindl. The Tettnang-based outdoor outfitter appointed the 40-year-old after about 15 years in brand management and communications, most recently serving as General Manager at Serviceplan Group’s agency model The Marcom Engine, where he led campaigns for BMW and Mini across 24 markets. Vaude owner and CEO Antje von Dewitz said Uhlhaas brings the strategic and creative experience needed to develop the brand for existing and new audiences. He joins to strengthen Vaude’s positioning in core and growth markets. Jonas Hirscheider will take over Uhlhaas’s markets and campaign responsibilities at The Marcom Engine. The appointment was reported by HORIZONT on August 4, 2026.
- Julian Uhlhaas assumed the Head of Marketing role at Vaude on 2026-08-01.
- He succeeds Manfred Meindl, who shaped Vaude's brand over the past 15 years.
- Uhlhaas previously served as General Manager at Serviceplan Group’s The Marcom Engine, leading BMW and Mini campaigns across 24 markets and has about 15 years' experience in brand management and communications.
Compare their exact ecosystem overlaps.
Explore all deep relationships in Polaris7. Discover exactly which mutual clients, integrated technologies, and overlapping partners Publicis Media and Serviceplan Group share across the market ecosystem.