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Advertising Agencies in Europe - Market Size, Industry Analysis, Trends and Forecasts (2024-2029)

ISIC 731 March 2024 Spotlight Report

Revenue

€219.8bn

2019-2024 4.1 %
2024-2029 X.X %

Employees

1m

2019-2024 3.4 %
2024-2029 X.X %

Businesses

447k

2019-2024 3.0 %
2024-2029 X.X %

Profit

€XX.Xbn

2019-2024 X.X %

Profit Margin

XX.X%

2019-2024 X.X pp

Wages

€XX.Xbn

2019-2024 X.X %
2024-2029 X.X %

Advertising Agencies in Europe industry analysis

The market for advertising services has changed massively over the past decade, with online and digital advertising services to reach customer across the web replacing traditional advertising streams like TV, radio and newspapers. The UK remains Europe's largest digital ad market and is a hotspot for online advertising growth. Major sporting events have aided revenue generated from TV advertising. However, the economic slump caused by the COVID-19 outbreak forced businesses to become more cautious when considering marketing budgets, weighing on demand. Over the five years through 2024, advertising services revenue is expected to drop at a compound annual rate of 4.1% to €219.8 billion.

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Industry Statistics and Trends

Advertising Agencies in Europe key trends

Advertisers grapple with the effects of COVID-19.

 

As businesses tightened their budgets, advertising spending dropped, causing agencies to suffer. Rising inflation and economic instability have constrained the market’s recovery.

Online advertising overshadows traditional methods.

 

With increased internet usage, advertising has shifted towards targeted online advertising strategies, pressuring traditional agencies to adapt or risk becoming redundant.

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Advertising Agencies in Europe

Industry Revenue

Total value and annual change from 2011-2029. Includes 5-year outlook.

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Advertising Agencies in Europe market size (2019-2024)

Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 4.1 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €219.8bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Advertisers feel the burn of COVID-19 disruption

  • Advertising agencies suffered from the adverse effect of COVID-19 on businesses' budgets, with advertising spending dropping sharply at the height of the pandemic. Overall, revenue dropped by 14.6% in 2020.

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Advertising Agencies in Europe outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

FMCG's zero-based budgeting adoption hampers demand

  • Businesses in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector have come under intense pressure from investors to slash costs amid rapid inflation.

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Revenue

€219.8bn

2019-2024 4.1 %
2024-2029 X.X %

Employees

1m

2019-2024 3.4 %
2024-2029 X.X %

Wages

€XX.Xbn

2019-2024 X.X %
2024-2029 X.X %

European Leaders & Laggards

Europe Job Growth CAGR: 3.4 % *
  • Job Growth

Top 5 Countries

  1. Bulgaria +8.0%
  2. Serbia +7.8%
  3. Spain +7.6%
  4. Bosnia & Herzegovina +7.5%
  5. Cyprus +7.3%

Bottom 5 Countries

  1. Iceland -4.2%
  2. Greece -1.9%
  3. Latvia -1.3%
  4. Norway -1.2%
  5. Austria -0.6%

* CAGR values are for the years 2019-2024.

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Biggest companies in the Advertising Agencies in Europe

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue (€m)
2024
Profit (€m)
2024
Profit Margin (%)
2024
WPP plc
18,979.0
2,808.9
14.8
Publicis Groupe SA
15,259.9
2,435.8
16.0
MFE-MediaForEurope NV
2,969.8
361.3
12.2

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Advertising Agencies in Europe

Products & Services Segmentation

Industry revenue broken down by key product and services lines.

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Top Questions Answered in this Report

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What is the market size of the Advertising Agencies industry in Europe in 2024?

The market size of the Advertising Agencies industry in Europe is €219.8bn in 2024. 

How many businesses are there in the Advertising Agencies in Europe industry in 2024?

There are 447k businesses in the Advertising Agencies industry in Europe, which has grown at a CAGR of 3.0 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Advertising Agencies industry in Europe grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Advertising Agencies industry in Europe has been declining at a CAGR of 3.0 % between 2019 and 2024. 

What is the forecast growth of the Advertising Agencies industry in Europe over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Advertising Agencies industry in Europe is expected to decline.

What are the biggest companies in the Advertising Agencies market in Europe?

The biggest companies operating in the Advertising Agencies market in Europe are WPP plc, Publicis Groupe SA and MFE-MediaForEurope NV

What does the Advertising Agencies in Europe include?

Online Advertising and TV Advertising are part of the Advertising Agencies industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Advertising Agencies in Europe?

The company holding the most market share in Europe is WPP plc.

Which countries have the most businesses in the Advertising Agencies industry in Europe?

The European country with the most businesses in the Advertising Agencies industry is Russia.

How competitive is the Advertising Agencies industry in Europe?

The level of competition is high and increasing in the Advertising Agencies industry in Europe.

Related Industries

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Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

This industry includes companies that provide various advertising services, including promoting products, creating and releasing advertising campaigns and direct-mail advertising. Companies can provide advice, creative services and the production of advertising material.

Related Terms

COMMUNICATIONS PLANNINGDIGITAL ADVERTISINGOUTDOOR ADVERTISING

What's included in this industry?

Online AdvertisingTV AdvertisingPrint Media AdvertisingOut-of-Home AdvertisingRadio Advertising

Companies

WPP plcPublicis Groupe SAMFE-MediaForEurope NV

Industry Code

ISIC 2006

731 - Advertising in Europe

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Performance

Key Takeaways

Advertisers feel the burn of COVID-19 disruption

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Revenue Highlights

Trends
  • Revenue
  • 2024 Revenue CAGR
  • Revenue Volatility

Employment Highlights

Trends
  • Employees
  • Employees per Business
  • Revenue per Employee

Business Highlights

Trends
  • Businesses
  • Employees per Business
  • Revenue per Business

Profit Highlights

Trends
  • Total Profit
  • Profit Margin
  • Profit per Business

Current Performance

Charts
  • Revenue in the Advertising Agencies in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
  • Employees in the Advertising Agencies in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
  • Business in the Advertising Agencies in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
  • Profit in the Advertising Agencies in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
Analysis

What's driving current industry performance in the Advertising Agencies in Europe industry?


Outlook

Analysis

What's driving the Advertising Agencies in Europe industry outlook?


Volatility

Analysis

What influences volatility in the Advertising Agencies in Europe industry?

Charts
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth Matrix

Life Cycle

Analysis

What determines the industry life cycle stage in the Advertising Agencies in Europe industry?

Charts
  • Industry Life Cycle Matrix

Products and Markets

Highlights

Trends
  • Largest Market
  • Product Innovation

Key Takeaways

Online advertising continues to expand. Increased internet usage and surging online shopping have driven more and more companies to focus their advertising efforts on the web, a trend accelerated by COVID-19.

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Products and Services

Charts
  • Products and Services Segmentation
Analysis

How are the Advertising Agencies in Europe industry's products and services performing?

Analysis

What are innovations in the Advertising Agencies in Europe industry's products and services?


Major Markets

Charts
  • Major Market Segmentation
Analysis

What influences demand in the Advertising Agencies in Europe industry?


International Trade

Highlights

  • Largest Importer
  • Smallest Importer
  • Total Imports into Europe
  • Largest Exporter
  • Smallest Exporter
  • Total Exports into Europe
Heat maps
  • Industry Concentration of Imports by Country
  • Industry Concentration of Exports by Country
Data Tables

Value and annual change (%) included

  • Number of Imports and Exports by European Country (2024)

Geographic Breakdown

Business Locations

Heat maps
  • Share of Total Industry Revenue by Region (2024)
  • Share of Total Industry Enterprises by Region (2024)
  • Share of Total Industry Employment by Region (2024)
  • Share of Total Industry Wages by Region (2024)

Industry Geographic Breakdown

Data Tables

Values and annual change provided for 37 European countries:

  • Revenue (2024)
  • IVA (2024)
  • Enterprises (2024)
  • Employment (2024)
  • Exports (2024)
  • Imports (2024)

Competitive Forces

Highlights

Trends
  • Concentration
  • Competition
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer Power
  • Supplier Power

Key Takeaways

High fragmentation characterises the market. Only large-scale advertising conglomerates like WPP and Publicis hold more than 1% of the market. All other companies specialises in niche advertising services, with a handful of clients.

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Supply Chain

Charts

Buyer and supply industries

Companies

Market Share

Charts
  • Industry Market Share by Company (2019-2024)

Companies

Data Tables

Top 10 companies by market share:

  • Market share (2024)
  • Revenue (2024)
  • Profit (2024)
  • Profit Margin (2024)

Data Tables
  • Countries of operation for WPP plc
  • Countries of operation for Publicis Groupe SA
  • Countries of operation for MFE-MediaForEurope NV
  • Countries of operation for Omnicom Group Inc
  • Countries of operation for Havas SA
  • Countries of operation for The Interpublic Group of Companies Inc
  • Countries of operation for Serviceplan Group SE & Co KG
  • Countries of operation for VCCP Group LLP
  • Countries of operation for Wieden+Kennedy Inc
  • Countries of operation for Accenture Song Brand UK Ltd

External Environment

Highlights

Trends
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key Takeaways

Agencies must adhere to the General Dat Protection Regulation. The GDPR, which came into effect across Europe in May 2018, governs how companies within the EU deal with clients' data.

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External Drivers

Analysis

What demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the Advertising Agencies in Europe industry?

Financial Benchmarks

Highlights

Trends
  • Profit Margin
  • Average Wage
  • Largest Cost

Key Takeaways

AI advertising technology looks set to cut employment levels. AI's performance optimisation and data management abilities will allow agencies to streamline operations and better understand the performance of their campaigns.

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Cost Structure

Charts
  • Share of Economy vs. Investment Matrix
  • Industry Cost Structure Benchmarks:
    • Marketing
    • Depreciation
    • Profit
    • Purchases
    • Wages
    • Rent
    • Utilities
    • Other
Analysis

What trends impact cost in the Advertising Agencies in Europe industry?


Key Ratios

Data tables
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)

Country Benchmarks

European Leaders & Laggards

Data Tables

Top and boottom five countries listed for each:

  • Revenue Growth (2024)
  • Business Growth (2024)
  • Job Growth (2024)

European Country Performance

Data Tables

Rankings available for 37 countries. Statistics ranked include:

  • IVA/Revenue (2024)
  • Imports/Demand (2024)
  • Exports/Revenue (2024)
  • Revenue per Employee (2024)
  • Wages/Revenue (2024)
  • Employees per Establishment (2024)
  • Average Wage (2024)

Structural Comparison

Data Tables

Trends in 37 countries benchmarked against trends in Europe

  • Concentration
  • Competition
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Buyer Power
  • Supplier Power
  • Volatility
  • Capital Intensity
  • Innovation
  • Life Cycle

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Methodology

Where does IBISWorld source its data?

IBISWorld is a world-leading provider of business information, with reports on 5,000+ industries in Australia, New Zealand, North America, Europe and China. Our expert industry analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build an accurate picture of each industry.

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and IBISWorld's proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights. 

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools.

To learn more about specific data sources used by IBISWorld's analysts globally, including how industry data forecasts are produced, visit our Help Center.