Ah-ha! A holding company is messing with the model! Publicis wants its employees to get incentivized and more invested in the company's future. The group has decided to allocate free shares in the first half of 2009 to its 4,500 employees located in France. These shares have nothing to do with performance, but will be offered to those who have been with the company for a minimum of three months. As well, 160 top level executives will receive an offer to join a co-investment program that rewards loyalty and success.

"The Management Board and Supervisory Board want to send a strong signal to all Groupe employees by offering them free shares at a time when the crisis is a challenge to all of us. The first stage of this program will be in France, but it will gradually be implemented worldwide," said Maurice Levy, Chairman and CEO of Publicis Groupe.

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