MxMIndia

Tag: MSL Group

  • Appoints Ketan Pote as Head of Mumbai and National Practice Lead- Reputation and Technology

    Zeno Group expands leadership

    By Our Staff

     

    Zeno Group communications agency has announced the appointment of Ketan Pote in dual roles as Head of the Mumbai office and the National Practice Lead- Technology and Reputation. This is intended to spearhead the growth of its Mumbai operations and to establish a strong Technology and Reputation practice in India.

     

    Pote was last with MSL Group in Mumbai where he worked for over eight years and was last an AVP. Based in Mumbai, Pote will report to Rekha Rao, Managing Director for Zeno India.

     

    Said Pote: “Zeno is truly a new-age agency, converting data into compelling, platform-agnostic strategies and ideas. I am excited about the prospect of continuously learning new ways of delivering impactful communications to our clients while rounding these up with my nearly two decades of experience, and of course the fearless philosophy.”

     

  • A 29-year company veteran, Osaki now oversees MSL GROUP's Asia operations, which include 33 owned offices and 1,500 employees

    MSLGroup’s Glenn Osaki appointed to Board of Advisors for USC Annenberg Center for Public Relations

    By A Correspondent

     

    Glenn Osaki

    Glenn Osaki, Asia President at Publicis Groupe’s strategic communications and engagement company, MSLGROUP, is appointed to the Board of Advisors for the University of Southern California (USC) Annenberg Center for Public Relations (CPR), a think tank that connects the school and its students with the $14 billion global PR industry.

     

    The PR Center’s 16-member Board of Advisors is a who’s-who roster of industry-leading communications professionals from the agency and corporate world, including high ranking leaders from Starbucks Coffee Company, Nintendo of America Inc., Las Vegas Sands Corp., Chevron Corporation and many more.

     

    Of his appointment, Glenn Osaki said “I am very honored to have been appointed to the Board of Advisors for the USC Annenberg Public Relations Center. The new board brings in the industry’s most seasoned and respected communication leaders and I look forward to working with this extraordinary group to connect businesses, agencies, academics and students to define the future of communications as well as its next leaders.”

     

    “On top of being one of the most renowned and respected PR-leaders in the world, Glenn Osaki also brings in a global perspective after having worked for the past decade in Asia following two decades in North America. His insight and experience will provide both width and depth to the board. We are proud and honored that Glenn Osaki accepted this position and we know he will make a difference both for the industry as well as for our students,” said Fred Cook, Director, USC Center for PublicRelations.

     

    Osaki holds an M.A. in public relations from USC’s School of Journalism, where he was awarded Outstanding Graduate. A 29-year company veteran, Osaki now oversees MSLGROUP’s Asia operations, which include 33 owned offices and 1,500 employees.

     

  • According to sources at the Paris-hqed conglomerate, all energies to be on Sapient play

    No Perfect Relations for Publicis. Focus on Sapient for now

     

    By Sandeep Puraname

     

    So is the Paris-based marketing services conglomerate Publicis Groupe gobbling up Perfect Relations? Oui or Non, we asked our source, and were subjected to a loud No. And is it a ‘No’ or a ‘Not yet’, we asked? Short of expletives, we were told “Bilkul Nahin, Kabhi Nahin”.

     

    Now that was something we weren’t willing to put on our headlines yesterday after we read a front-page highlighted reported in premier business daily The Economic Times. We decided to dig further, spoke to our friends at the MSLGroup who said they weren’t authorised to speak and could neither confirm or deny.

     

    Surely there can be no smoke without fire?

     

    Then on some probing over long-distance chatter within India and overseas, we got the inside story. Apparently there have rumours ever since a PR industry website flashed the news. While there may have been discussions with the MSL management, the suitor is clearly not MSL or parent Publicis.  Dentsu, Ominicom and WPP may be looking at buying up the agency, we are told.

     

    But why not MSL? After all Perfect Relations is well-pedigreed, has some interesting clients including Coca-Cola and is well-networked across the country? Because, the Publicis Groupe wants to concentrate on the Sapient buy.

     

    With Sapient, Publicis wants to up its 40 percent revenues from digital to 50 percent and it may be remembered that Sapient has nearly half its staff in India.

     

    It’s likely that all or at least most of the digital activity of the group(e) may be converged to Sapient making it a digital superpower in India and the rest of the world.

     

    While it didn’t need an industry forecast to do it, but with a Forrester research report saying that digital adspends will overtake those on television in two years in the US, most global media service corporations are getting their act together on the digital play. After all it’s no small reason that Publicis paid a 40 percent premium for Sapient at USD 25 a share.  According to reports, Publicis chairman Maurice Levy is reportedly looking at Sapient also being able to counter business going away to consultancies like Accenture.

     

    In India, Sapient has been strong on acquiring talent and turning into a well-rounded creative tech firm.

     

    Given this, it’s likely that some of the existing digital plays of the group – including in those like the MSLGroup – may not get zoned into one robust offering.  This bit is unverified, but that’s the thinking on in sections of the group. But then large networks like Leo Burnett and Publicis Worldwide have made their acquisitions so these issues need to be sorted.

     

    So, bottomline: for the now, MSLGroup is not making any new PR buys. The bosses are content with Hanmer & Partners, 2020 PR and 2020 Social.  There’s enough and more happening more.

     

    But aren’t the MSL bosses in town next week? We thought Olivier Fleurot will make the big announcement. Non, we were told.

     

    Now what if we have egg on our face if all of this is proved wrong, the boss asked this writer.

     

    We’ll know that soon.

     

    PS: Time to compose the resignation letter? Or await that long-awaited raise?

     

  • The refreshed service would enable MSLGROUP to offer seamlessly integrated campaigns across multiple channels for marketing and communications programmes

    MSL Group enhances Events & Experiential service offerings

    By a correspondent

     

    MSLGROUP India has announced the enhancement of its service offering – Events and Experiential. The refreshed service would enable MSLGROUP to offer seamlessly integrated campaigns across multiple channels for marketing and communications programmes. Integrating with its existing service offerings in traditional PR, social media/digital and content solutions, MSLGROUP, India will now provide event planning, management and execution for a range of projects targeting media as well as other stakeholders. The team comprises of extremely skilled professionals with a diverse range of experience and skills having worked extensively with reputed clients.

     

    Audiences today skim through the onslaught of information provided by various media, forcing advertisers and marketers to constantly scramble for new, inventive ways to connect and make an impact with their target audience. As the most impactful campaigns are based on one, big idea which is rolled out through a 360 degree approach, MSLGROUP further enhances this critical offering from amongst its roster of traditional PR, Digital, Creative and Content Creation. This refreshed service offering will employ a strategic and innovative approach to convey the brand message thereby helping the company create stronger connections and relationships with the consumer.

     

    Jaideep Shergill, CEO, MSLGROUP in India, said: “The industry is evolving and clients are looking for creative and innovative ways to engage with their target audience, which goes beyond tried and tested methods. Being an integrated communications firm, we, at MSLGROUP, in India, firmly believe in the power of well-crafted and well-executed experiences which enables the target audience to engage with the brand and its story. Our distinctive way of conceptualizing and creating successful events for our clients helps us to stand out in the marketplace.”

     

    The team has been instrumental in planning the event to announce the historical launch of Australia’s leading back, Westpac, in India. Some other notable clients that the firm has worked with are Steelcase for the launch of its Gesture Chair, Manpasand Beverages India Pvt. Ltd. for the launch of a new beverage, Global Gases Pvt. Ltd. for a plant inauguration in Chennai, History TV18 for the visit of extraordinary magician, Dynamo to name a few.

     

  • MSL Group, Publicis Groupe’s flagship strategic communications and engagement company, has announced the rebranding of Hanmer MSL to MSL India

    Bye Bye Hanmer, it’s now MSL India

    By A Correspondent

     

    MSL Group, Publicis Groupe’s flagship strategic communications and engagement company, has announced the rebranding of Hanmer MSL to MSL India. This move comes nearly five years after joining MSL Group.

     

    MSL Group now includes two national agencies – MSL India and 20:20 MSL – as well as two specialty offerings, 20:20 Social and MSL Group Creative+.  After aligning with MSL Group in October 2007, Hanmer MSL’s change to the MSL India brand this marks another important step towards solidifying an offer that includes a mix of local insights, relationships and expertise as well as strategic communications practices tailored to the India market.

     

    Commenting on the announcement, Glenn Osaki, President, MSL Group Asia, and Chair, MSL Group India Management Board, said, “India has always been one of the highest priority markets, and we are proud to invest in and cultivate our team’s passion and commitment to providing top-of-the-line creative solutions to clients, and being the most trusted advisors in the nation. The new MSL India brand will emphasize our dedication to innovate and engage conversations and communities across the India market.”

     

    Another highlight of this new growth was MSL India’s move to upgrade its infrastructure and technology, announced last week, with the recent opening of a new MSLGROUP India flagship office in Mumbai’s Lower Parel district. This new world-class environment is now home to the 250 joint staff of MSL India, 20:20 MSL and MSL Group Creative+ in one consolidated location. Notable features include state-of-the-art conferencing technology and a storytelling motif entwined with India’s rich culture and MSL Group’s dynamic character.

     

  • As the Indian Premier League begins today, the MSL Group has taken a step back and given the game, the quickie format and the hype around it a good, hard look.

    Brand IPL needs to play innings of its life: MSL Group report

    By A Correspondent

     

    MSL Group’s executive report on the Indian Premier League, its ups and downs and the viability of continuing, concludes that if Brand IPL has to remain a smash hit, it must work its strategy carefully.

     

    When it began, the league made a splash and wowed India with the razzle-dazzle of intensively commercial cricket. Then came the slide downwards with slackening viewer interest leading to falling ratings, followed by the scandal that surrounded allegations of favouritism and money-laundering.

     

    “There’s no denying that Brand IPL is on choppy waters. It will have to steer clear of fresh controversies, reflect on mistakes and rectify the damage as much as it can. Most importantly, it needs to win back the confidence of stakeholders. As Season 5 unfolds from April 4, 2012, the BCCI will need a stronger game plan to rejuvenate the brand,” says the report.

     

    Quoting media sources including reports from MxMIndia, the MSL report mentions instances of prominent sponsors pulling out, questionable ownership patterns, and the big one – runaway costs. “Keeping the wage bill in check and managing revenues will mean the difference between survival and falling by the wayside,” says the report.

     

    Brand IPL has other problems too, such as controversies galore, falling TRPs, and overly high ad rates. Yet, the report concludes, “There must be something right with a sports property that, despite a fall in valuation, is worth more than $3.5 billion. By its second year, the IPL was thought to be the fifth largest sports brand, just smaller than FIFA and bigger than Wimbledon and F1.”

     

    An integrated communications approach, the sheer advertising benefit of being on the IPL bandwagon, the fact that sports sponsorships do work well, and the Indian cricket fan’s conveniently short memory are opportunities in the IPL’s favour, the report remarks.

     

    In fact, while other sports such as hockey and wrestling are trying to emulate cricket’s league success, the fact is that India has been loyal to cricket for far too long, and grabbing those eyeballs will be a “massive challenge”.

     

    The full report can be read here:

    http://www.slideshare.net/mslgroup/indian-premier-league-still-a-smash-hit-for-advertisers

     

    Image courtesy: http://www.facebook.com/IPLSTARS

  • Gaurav Mishra-led team develops proprietary tools to scale the SM space and help businesses embrace innovations

    MSL Group on overdrive with social media

     

    By Rishi Vora

     

    MSL Group, the Publicis Groupe’s flagship speciality communications and engagement network, is upbeat about its foray into the growing world of social media. Afer it acquired communications major Hanmer & Partners and later PR and social media firms 20:20 Media and 20:20 Social respecitively, it has now clubbed the social media practices of Hanmer and 20:20 Social under the umbrella of MSL Group India Social.

     

    The group has adopted a unique approach towards tapping the social space for clients in India and abroad – it has created three key capabilities: Plan, Build and Engage. Of the two, Plan and Build are the revenue-drivers, wherein a lot of work goes into providing insights, strategy planning and developing web, mobile and social applications; creating content, communities and conversations.

     

    The company recently launched its proprietary tool – The People’s Lab, a global crowdsourcing platform and approach designed to help businesses embrace innovations. It is a platform which works across multiple application areas; provides end-to-end support, including custom design and content creation.

     

    In 2010, Dell India used an early version of People’s Lab platform to create the Dell Go Green challenge for design students and others to share ideas on how to redesign, reuse and recycle gadgets to make them go green. The idea to create Dell Go Green challenge came from the fact that the client owned a recycling programme, besides having conducted several other CSR programmes.

     

    A mini site was created using the People’s Lab and the result was quite pleasing: About 650 ideas got shared, 25,000 members on Facebook and 8,000 votes.

     

    As is known, Gaurav Mishra launched 20:20 Social and now heads the group’s social media business in India. He is Asia Director – Social Media, MSL Group. Mr Mishra told MxMIndia that the company now plans to launch many more tools that will offer clients comprehensive social media solutions. “Our core differentiation in the social media space is in offering tools; we are in the business to create platforms which bring people together and programmes which energise people. We want to create more tools, more frameworks, so that we can go to clients and offer them solutions that’ll contribute in solving much bigger problems.”

     

    Parveez Modak

    People’s Lab was created in India, led by Parveez Modak and is now sold to clients in Singapore and Italy. “We’re discussing with clients in US, Poland, Taiwan, and in India,” informed Mr Mishra.

     

    He added: “Once we have developed enough tools and capabilities in India, we will look to educate whole of our network and make efforts to spread awareness to our group companies in different parts of the world.”

     

    MSL Group India Social is now working towards creating a corporate citizenship offering globally. As Mr Mishra explained, it is a network of 150 senior members of the group spread across regions – board members, global board members, regional presidents and others. The idea is to bring forward a thought leadership team that can provide insights, views and opinions on various topics ranging from “How clients are looking at Change Management Differently” to Employee Engagement, Corporate Citizenship, Innovation, business opportunities and so on.

     

    How will the Social space evolve in India? Where is it headed? What kind of solutions are clients seeking from specialists? According to Mr Mishra, the market for social media services will pick up dramatically now, and clients will be on the lookout for companies that possess the talent to develop in-house capabilities, and solve greater and much complex marketing solutions within the social space.

     

    Globally, MSL Group has about 200 professionals dedicated to social media; about 60 of them in Asia and, for now, 30 in India. Mr Modak, who other than social media also leads the integration function at Hanmer and Mr Narendra Nag at 20-20 Social constitute Mr Mishra’s core team for MSL Group India Social.

    “Revenue-wise, India is still fairly small, China is becoming increasingly big in terms of size of the market, but there is ample opportunity in India,” concluded Mr Mishra.

  • Publicis Groupe is among the leaders in third-quarter mergers and acquisitions rankings, with agencies from the group’s public relations network advised on approximately US$155 billion value of deals worldwide.

    Publicis among leaders in Q3 M&A rankings

    By A Correspondent

    Publicis Groupe’s global financial communications consultancies – operating as part of the MSLGROUP network – have ranked third worldwide in deal value for companies advising on mergers and acquisitions through September 30, 2011, Q1-Q3, according to Mergermarket, a  leading M&A intelligence service.  MSLGROUP is Publicis Groupe’s flagship PR, speciality communications, and engagement network.

    Consultancies within MSLGROUP that contributed to the global performance were led by Kekst and Company (“Kekst”) who took the top spot overall for the number of deals handled in the US.

    Mr Olivier Fleurot, CEO of MSLGROUP, said, “Two years after we created the global network MSLGROUP, we’re proud to see our world-class agencies perform so well in the highly competitive mergers and acquisitions speciality sector.  Financial communications is an area we intend to invest in further.”

    MSLGROUP’s financial communications expertise is housed within six key agencies around the world:  Kekst, based in New York; Capital MSL based in London and Dubai; Hanmer MSL based in Mumbai; Paris-based Publicis Consultants; MSL Italia based in Milan and Stockholm-based JKL Group.