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New Delhi, Oct. 31 Paris-headquartered communications group Publicis is acquiring the Indian public relations firm Hanmer & Partners.

The acquisition of the 350-employee firm is subject to the Foreign Investment Promotion Board approval. This is in line with Publicis Groupe’s expansion plans for high growth emerging markets like India.

The move also strengthens the India plans for the company’s New York-headquartered PR firm — Manning Selvage & Lee’s (MS&L). Post acquisition the firm will be renamed Hanmer MS&L.

“This acquisition is an important component of MS&L’s aggressive growth plans for Asia, where the firm already enjoys a significant presence in China, Japan and Southern Asia,” said Mr Mark Hass, Global CEO, MS&L, in a statement announcing the acquisition.

“Partnering with MS&L gives us the opportunity to build our client relationships both inside and outside of India,” added Mr Sunil Gautam, Managing Director, Hanmer & Partners, who heads the management that will continue to oversee the business.

Hanmer and Partners’ clients include ACC, Bharti, Emirates, General Motors, LG, banks and financial services such as ICICI Bank, ING Vysya, Enam, media and telecom companies like Tata Sky, Network 18, and BPL Mobile, among others.

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