Publicis Groupe bags 2009 Global Equity Organization Award
The Global Equity Organization (GEO) Awards that celebrate outstanding performance in the international employee share plan community awarded Publicis Groupe among the ten companies from around the world that were honored for their impressive achievements.
Publicis Groupe presented the new equity compensation plan, including LionLead (co-investment Plan), Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) and the Worldwide Free Share announced in March 2009.
The Groupe received the ‘Most Innovative and Creative Plan Design’ category Award. Measurements in this category include how well the plan was creatively adapted to local tax and regulatory laws, innovative ways to increase employee participation and excitement, and how their plan differs from competitors or industry norms.
The share plan team at Publicis Groupe realized the impact the economy would have on an ESPP (Employee Share Purchase Plan) program, which required participants to contribute cash in exchange for shares. Publicis Groupe re-evaluated their options and created a unique three-part plan to benefit all employees. Key to the program was a free shares offering to all 45,000 employees worldwide, supplemented by significant modifications to an existing key contributor plan and a unique co-investment plan, dubbed Lion Lead, for senior executives. “The judges applaud the flexibility and adherence to values demonstrated by Publicis Groupe under challenging conditions and are pleased to present them with the GEO Award for Most Innovative and Creative Plan Design.”
Maurice Levy, Chairman and CEO of Publicis Groupe declares: “I am very proud that Publicis Groupe has received the ‘Most Innovative and Creative Plan Design’ at the GEO Awards. This recognition illustrates how creativity is fundamental to the management of our Groupe, including the motivation and compensation of our employees.”