By Greg Hazley
Publicis has acquired its Taiwan-based PR and social media affiliate Interactive Communications after a seven-year association.
The deal marks the Paris-based advertising and PR conglomerate’s fourth PR acquisition in Asia over the past five months.
The 30-staffer firm will be folded into MSLGroup and renamed ICL MSL, pending approval by Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs. Founders Cindy Chou and Mario Fang will stay on board to head the unit under MSLGroup Asia president Glenn Osaki.
In a statement, Chou said joining MSL allows the firm to focus on expanding its role in the Greater China market.
ICL has worked with Procter & Gamble, The Coca-Cola Company, the Hong Kong Tourist Board and Bristol-Myers Squibb among others.
MSL Group’s Greater China operation now counts eight offices and 225 staffers, following the latest deal.
Earlier this month, Publicis reported a 23% surge in profit for 2010. Revenue for Asia was up 23.8% to 617M euro as CEO Maurice Levy noted a “significant recovery” in the region.
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