Publicis' MSL Group Acquires Schwartz Communications

http://adage.com/article/agency-news/publicis-msl-group-acquires-schwartz-communications/229787/
MSL Group, Publicis Groupe's $405 million PR network, has acquired Schwartz Communications in a move to strengthen its health-care and technology portfolio.

"Our aim is to become one of the top three global networks and companies, so we've been looking at acquisitions in many countries," MSL Group CEO Olivier Fleurot told Ad Age. "We have identified gaps in our network. Some are geographic; some are about sectors and industries; and we think Schwartz is the perfect fit."

Neither organization would disclose the terms of the deal, but the mid-sized, Massachusetts-based firm finished 2010 with just more than $25 million in fee billings, not including expenses, and 2% growth over 2009. More than 30% of its fee billings in 2010 came from its San Francisco office, which saw a 15% increase last year, said Mr. Scanlon. The firm would not disclose projections for 2011.

The acquisition should bolster MSLGroup's health-care expertise in the biotech and devices categories, as well as strengthen its technology portfolio and its presence on the West Coast and in New England. Its sixth acquisition in the category this year, the move also reflects a larger goal by Publicis Groupe to grow its global PR operations. The other five global agencies this year include: Genedigi in China; Andreoli MSL in Brazil; 20:20 MSL, a social-media firm in India; Eastwei MSL in China; and Interactive Communications Limited in Taiwan, which is now called ICL MSL.