Author: 21st Century Competition

US/France: Publicis, Omnicom merger implodes (Competition Policy International)

Advertising giants Publicis and Omnicom have reportedly abandoned their $35 billion merger plans, a source said.

According to reports, US-based Omnicom and France-based Publicis have decided to abandon plans to merge and create the world’s largest advertising conglomerate nearly one year after the companies first announced plans to combine. The deal …read more

Ghana: Optimistic report shows promising M&A future (Competition Policy International)

Mergers and acquisitions are on the rise in Ghana, according to industry experts, a trend likely following the encouragement of financial investment in the African nation.

According to reports, Stanbic Bank Ghana executive Randolph Rodrigues told reporters that M&A activity will likely rise in the coming years in Ghana, thanks to …read more

US: AT&T divesting its music streaming service, sources say (Competition Policy International)

Wireless giant AT&T is reportedly planning to sell its music streaming service Muve Music only months after it acquired the assets through its buyout of Leap Wireless.

Unnamed sources say AT&T is looking for a buyer for the music company and a bidding process has already begun. Muve Music is run …read more

India: Regs clear path for first foreign airline investment (Competition Policy International)

India’s Securities and Exchange Board has reportedly cleared the way for the nation’s first direct investment in an airline by a foreign entity.

Reports say Etihad, based in the United Arab Emirates, has been exempted from making an open bid for its proposed 24 percent acquisition in domestic airline Jet Airways. …read more