The histories of Publicitas and of print media are tightly interwoven. Both originated in the middle of the 19th Century, when publishers started placing advertisements in their newspapers, and companies that specialised in canvassing for, and administrating the placement of, advertisements were set up.

In 1855, the advertising placement agency Haasenstein in Altona, near Hamburg, was founded which marked the beginning of intermediary activities between advertisers and newspapers. In 1868, the first Swiss subsidiary company was opened in Basel; followed by many others over time. In 1890, the Basel subsidiary separated from the German parent company, and in 1916, it was named Publicitas. Since 1929, the headquarters have been located in Lausanne.

As for Publicitas International AG, it saw the light of day in 1965 as a small department called "Representation of International Newspapers" within the locally operating Publicitas Basel. A quarter of a century later, in 1989, it became an independent company.

Today, at the beginning of the 3rd Millennium, Publicitas International AG has its headquarters in Basel and Client Service Centers in Zurich and Lausanne. It employs around 30 media specialists and is proud to be a unique link between advertisers and publishers, offering to both partners perfectly tailored solutions in the field of international media.