A major French advertising company announced Sunday it has reached an agreement to purchase an American data collaboration business for approximately $2.2 billion in cash.
Publicis Groupe revealed it will acquire LiveRamp through an all-cash transaction offering shareholders $38.50 per share. This purchase price represents a 29.8% premium above LiveRamp’s stock value at market close on May 15, the final trading session before the acquisition announcement. The deal carries a total equity valuation of $2.546 billion and incorporates $379 million in acquired net cash.
Both companies’ boards have given unanimous approval to the acquisition, which Publicis expects will boost earnings starting in the first year after completion.
Following the announcement, the French advertising company increased its financial projections for 2027 and 2028, raising constant-currency growth expectations to 7%-8% for net revenue and 8%-10% for headline earnings per share. These updated targets exceed the company’s previous guidance ranges of 6%-7% and 7%-9% respectively.
LiveRamp operates an extensive network connecting over 25,000 publisher domains and more than 500 technology and data partners spanning 14 markets worldwide. The company maintains a workforce of approximately 1,300 employees.
