Publicis has acquired German-based financial and corporate communications firm CNC to fold into MSLGroup, the latest in a string of acquisitions to bolster the French PR and advertising conglomerate’s PR division.
CNC, an acronym for Communications & Network Consulting which has used Sard Verbinnen & Co. in New York as its U.S. affiliate, claims about 100 staffers in its Munich base and outposts in New Delhi, Tokyo, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Brussels and Berlin.
MSLGroup said the firm will complement its existing MSL Germany operation.
“We see considerable potential in matching and leveraging our collective competencies and relationships,” said MSLGroup CEO MSLGroup CEO Oliver Fleurot.
The firm, founded in 2002, will continue to be led by Christopher Walther, a lawyer and communications, public affairs and marketing exec for companies like cigarette maker Reemtsma Cigarettenfabrik and Daimler-Benz. It specializes in PR assignments like IPOs, M&A and other corporate communications efforts.
Walther now reports to Fleurot.
The Germany deal follows Publicis PR acquisitions in Poland (December 2011), the U.S. (September 2011), and China (March and June 2011).
Publicis' PR revenues were up 6% in the first quarter of 2012.
MSLGroup claims 3,600 staffers in 22 countries.