Mars United Commerce

One of the largest commerce-marketing agencies globally, now operating as a key pillar of Publicis Groupe's commerce and retail media offering

Mars United Commerce is one of the largest independent commerce-marketing agencies in the world, offering end-to-end commerce solutions that span retail media, shopper marketing, ecommerce strategy, and in-store activation. The agency works with major consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies and retailers to connect brand messaging with purchase intent across the full shopper journey — from awareness through conversion. Its capabilities include data-driven insights, creative production, media planning and buying across retail media networks, and omnichannel commerce strategy. Founded through the evolution and rebranding of Mars Agency (originally founded in 1973 by The Mars family in Detroit), the company rebranded to Mars United Commerce in 2023 to better reflect its expanded commerce-focused capabilities. The agency has grown to become a significant player in the retail media and shopper marketing space, serving blue-chip CPG clients across grocery, mass, drug, club, and ecommerce channels including Walmart, Amazon, Kroger, and Target. In September 2024, Publicis Groupe acquired Mars United Commerce for approximately $600 million, integrating it into the Publicis Commerce division. This acquisition significantly bolstered Publicis's retail media and commerce marketing capabilities, positioning it competitively against WPP, Omnicom, and IPG in the fast-growing commerce marketing segment. The deal reflected the broader industry trend of holding companies investing heavily in shopper and retail media expertise as retail media networks have become a dominant force in digital advertising.

• 1973Founded