Publicis Groupe announced that they made a US$15 million strategic investment in Jana Mobile. Jana Mobile is a global company that rewards consumer action in emerging markets such as Brazil, India, Indonesia and Nigeria.

The Jana Mobile investment is the first direct investment that Publicis Groupe has made in a mobile technology startup company. As part of the US$15 million investment, the Publicis Groupe Charmain and CEO Maurice Lévy will join Jana Mobile's Board of Directors. In addition, Rishad Tobaccowala, the Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer for VivaKi, will join Jana Mobile's Board of Advisors.

"I have been personally attracted and convinced to invest directly in this platform as I see it as the next big thing in the communication industry. Consumers in these dynamic markets are spending 10 percent of their daily income on mobile airtime, while global advertisers are spending more than $150 billion to reach them through traditional advertising channels," said Maurice Lévy. "With its platform, Jana is changing the face of advertising by enabling us to invest in targeted, mobile-based campaigns that put advertising dollars directly into the pockets of the 'next billion' consumers our clients are most eager to reach. As a result, brands become more valuable to people, and people become more economically empowered. I am confident that Jana will help consumers in those markets to have a better life."