Western Union(R) Selects Publicis Hong Kong as First-Ever Global Agency of Record

Publicis Hong Kong, part of Publicis Groupe, is charged with aligning and optimizing the global brand for Western Union, a newly independent Fortune 500 company, in each of the 200 countries and territories in which Western Union operates.

The announcement to broaden the iconic, 150-year-old Western Union brand follows nearly eight months of research and development. Western Union tested brand concepts in numerous countries with multiple ethnic groups, targeting both current and potential customers.

Western Union has a long history with Publicis Hong Kong, which has handled its advertising and marketing communications since 2003 in 10 markets across the Asia Pacific region. Western Union has worked with regional advertising and marketing agencies around the world in the past, but this is the company's first global agency of record.

"Publicis Hong Kong has proven that it understands the global nature of our business and the needs of our consumers," said Gail Galuppo, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Western Union. "As a recently independent company, Western Union is uniquely positioned to fully maximize our trusted brand in more than 200 countries and territories and throughout our global Agent network that includes 355,000 locations around the world."

"We are proud to have won this search, and we're pleased to work with Western Union, which has an iconic brand and a truly global business," said Laurie Kwong, Chief Executive Officer, Publicis Hong Kong, "As an agency with solid experience in creating and managing global and regional campaigns from Hong Kong, we are well-placed to handle the challenges facing one of the world's most recognized global brands."

About Western Union

Western Union (NYSE:WU), together with its affiliates Orlandi Valuta and Vigo, is a leading provider of global money-transfer services, providing people with fast, reliable and convenient ways to send money around the world, pay bills and purchase money orders through a network of more than 355,000 Agent locations in over 200 countries and territories. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com.

About the Publicis Hong Kong and Publicis Groupe

Publicis Hong Kong is one of the fastest-growing agencies in the market, serving a wide range of multinational clients and blue-chip local clients handling global, regional and local business. Services offered cover a wide range of communications including interactive via Publicis Modem to deliver "contagious ideas that change the conversation" to build brands and drive results.

Publicis Groupe is the world's fourth-largest communications group. In addition, it is ranked as the world's second-largest media counsel and buying group, and is a global leader in digital and healthcare communications. With activities spanning 104 countries on five continents, the Groupe employs approximately 44,000 professionals. The Groupe offers advertising through three autonomous global advertising networks, Leo Burnett, Publicis, Saatchi & Saatchi and two multi-hub networks, Fallon and 49%-owned Bartle Bogle Hegarty; media consultancy and buying through two worldwide networks, Starcom MediaVest Group and ZenithOptimedia; and interactive and digital marketing led by Digitas.

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SOURCE: The Western Union Company

The Western Union Company Kristin Kelly, 720-332-4751 kristin.kelly@WesternUnion.com