Movies would have you believe that major corporate acquisitions often end in a bloodbath but The Creative Council's co-CEO, Gil Oved, looks as fresh-faced and rosy cheeked as ever. His company, the biggest advertising group by billings and employees in South Africa, was recently acquired by French marketing multinational Publicis Groupe in a deal said to be the biggest of its kind in Africa.The agency runs more than 300 campaigns nationally every year and its client list includes a number of international giants and South African brands from every category and industry, including Standard Bank, Philips, Dark & Lovely, Microsoft and FNB.The Creative Council will operate as a part of the French company's African arm, Publicis Africa Group.Oved would not say how many millions had changed hands but stressed that the acquisition did not spell the end of his agency but the beginning of a much grander venture."The management, staff and name will be retained and we'll be part of the Publicis family," he said. "People often think that moves like this mean heads will be cut off but that's not the case. If anything, we will increase our staff."Publicis Africa Group CEO Kevin Tromp said: "Publicis is increasing its equity footprint by acquiring companies that understand the complexity of marketing to the continent's numerous unique cultures and cluster communities."..