Press Release
Publicis Sapient Announces Launch of PS Hummingbird, a New Joint Venture with Tquila, Expanding its Generative AI and Cloud Capabilities with Microsoft
Joint venture further expands Publicis Sapient’s AI and cloud-based capabilities in Microsoft Azure Data & AI, Dynamics 365 and Microsoft Power Platform, including its generative AI capabilities powered by Microsoft Copilots
NEW YORK, NY, December 5, 2023 – Publicis Sapient, a digital business transformation company, today announced the launch of a new joint venture with Tquila called PS Hummingbird. This partnership with Tquila, with whom Publicis Sapient has collaborated on several other ventures, will extend Publicis Sapient’s generative AI offerings powered by Microsoft Azure, Microsoft Copilots, Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Microsoft Power Platform. This strategic joint venture, on the heels of Publicis Sapient’s recent acquisitions of Practia, Corra and Publicis Sapient AI Labs, is designed to further build Publicis Sapient’s core AI capabilities and practices.
PS Hummingbird will operate as an independent entity, supporting Publicis Sapient's clients while also serving its own client base. PS Hummingbird offers end-to-end services, including strategy and planning, user experience and process design, data analysis, implementation, testing, training and ongoing support. Leveraging Microsoft Copilots, the venture brings the latest AI breakthroughs to every line of business and unlocks tailored AI-powered solutions for businesses across major functions in sales, service, marketing, supply chain and finance. By integrating business process data into Microsoft Fabric, PS Hummingbird will enable organizations to get their enterprise data ready for generative AI, and create bespoke solutions that use Azure Open AI Service to help clients realize operational efficiencies.
"We are very excited about the launch of PS Hummingbird, which will allow us to continue to deliver innovative cloud and AI solutions to our clients across our SPEED – Strategy, Product, Experience, Engineering and Data & AI – capabilities and help them achieve an operational competitive advantage. This joint venture combines our AI expertise with Tquila's capabilities to bring increased value to our clients,” said Nigel Vaz, CEO of Publicis Sapient. “PS Hummingbird will enable us to harness the power of Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Microsoft Power Platform, along with the transformative potential of generative AI, and strengthen our position as a trusted partner to our clients in their digital business transformation journey."
James McHugh, Chairman of tquila, said, "This is now the fourth Build Operate Transfer we’ve partnered with Publicis Sapient on and we’re excited to embark on this journey. PS Hummingbird is the most ambitious project to date. The Tquila team is committed to working with all stakeholders to attract and develop the best talent in the market so, together, we build a market-leading, best-in-class generative AI business.“
"Customer demand for end-to-end AI-powered services and solutions continues to increase, and we’re excited that PS Hummingbird will deliver innovative generative AI solutions built on the Microsoft Cloud,” said Kelly Rogan, CVP, Global System Integrators and Advisory Partners at Microsoft. “Publicis Sapient's increased Microsoft Cloud and AI capabilities will empower customers and enhance our alliance."
Publicis Sapient is a strategic global Microsoft Cloud Solutions Partner with multiple advanced specializations in AI/ML and App Migration. For over ten years, Publicis Sapient has combined digital business strategy, customer experience, marketing modernization and data & AI expertise with Microsoft's cloud and enterprise solutions to generate value for clients across industries.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 stands as the fastest-growing Microsoft Cloud technology stack, projected to grow by 45%[1]until 2025 and expected to generate an estimated $100 billion in consulting services[2]. The potential in this market is immense, yet the lack of technical expertise often hampers progress. PS Hummingbird aims to bridge this gap, providing expert services directly to its clients and supporting Publicis Sapient's existing customer base.
Publicis Sapient was recently named a Market Leader in HFS Research’s Horizons Report for Generative Enterprise Services 2023 for applying generative AI to amplify digital business transformation for enhanced growth in business model innovation, customer experience, employee experience, and enterprise enablement. HFS recognized Publicis Sapient for key strengths and differentiators, including transforming the future of Gen AI with its SPEED (Strategy, Product, Experience, Engineering and Data & AI) capabilities and innovation.
[1] FY22 Q2, Microsoft earnings report, January 2022
[2] Microsoft Dynamics 365 Blog, July 2020
About Publicis Groupe
Publicis Groupe [Euronext Paris FR0000130577, CAC 40] is a global leader in communication. The Groupe is positioned at every step of the value chain, from consulting to execution, combining marketing transformation and digital business transformation. Publicis Groupe is a privileged partner in its clients’ transformation to enhance personalization at scale. The Groupe relies on ten expertise concentrated within four main activities: Communication, Media, Data and Technology. Through a unified and fluid organization, its clients have a facilitated access to all its expertise in every market. Present in over 100 countries, Publicis Groupe employs around 101,000 professionals.
About Publicis Sapient
Publicis Sapient is a digital business transformation company. We partner with global organizations to help them create and sustain competitive advantage in a world that is increasingly digital. We operate through our expert SPEED capabilities: Strategy and Consulting, Product, Experience, Engineering and Data, which combined with our culture of curiosity and deep industry knowledge, enables us to deliver meaningful impact to our clients’ businesses through reimagining the products and experiences their customers truly value. Our agile, data-driven approach equips our clients’ businesses for change, making digital the core of how they think and what they do. Publicis Sapient is the digital business transformation hub of Publicis Groupe with 20,000 people and over 50 offices worldwide. For more information, visit publicissapient.com.
About Tquila
Tquila is a global technology venture company founded by James McHugh in 2010. It has built a thriving portfolio of technology service businesses by combining investment with expertise across growth, talent, and operations. It invests in companies from start-up through to post-series A, either as stand-alone entities or with co-investment from consulting firms and software companies. For more information, visit tquila.com.