Publicis Groupe SA and Microsoft Corporation jointly announced that they have signed an agreement under which Publicis Groupe will acquire Razorfish, a digital marketing agency, in a transaction valued at approximately $530 million, expected to be provided in a combination of cash and Publicis Groupe treasury shares. In addition, the parties announced they have signed a Strategic Alliance Agreement that will become effective at the closing of the transaction. The transaction is expected to close during the fourth quarter of 2009, and is subject to customary closing conditions, including clearance under the United States Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act.

(www.publicisgroupe.com, www.microsoft.com, www.razorfish.com)

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