Posts

Publicis consolidates regional LeoComm offices

/in , /by
Publicis Communications has consolidated its six-office LeoComm PR network in the Middle East under the brand of MSLGroup, its strategic communications and engagement firm. Leocomm offices in the UAE, Egypt, Lebanon, Qatar and Saudi Arabia will now become MSLGROUP in the Middle East, while remaining part of the Publicis Communications MEA portfolio of agencies, which also includes; Leo Burnett, Publicis Worldwide, Flip Media, Arc and Saatchi & Saatchi. MSLGROUP’s Communications and Network Consulting (CNC) Network also has offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, servicing mostly corporate and public affairs clients, which will remain a separate unit inside of MSLGROUP.
“We are thrilled to grow our network in the Middle East,” says Guillaume Herbette, CEO MSLGROUP. “LeoComm PR brings to the table specialised communications expertise, vast knowledge of the Middle East and an in-depth understanding of regional market trends. Together, we look forward to providing our global and regional clients with a full scope of integrated public relations services.”
Raja Trad, CEO, Publicis Communications Middle East and Africa, adds “In recent years, LeoComm PR has built a strong legacy of growth, one rooted in a powerful ‘think global, act local’ communications strategy. Today the agency’s new identity will help further crystallise this approach and cement its mission to deliver fully-integrated, all-encompassing public relations services.”

PublicisLive appoints new President

/0 Comments/in /by

Publicis Groupe has appointed Anthony Gazagne as the President of PublicisLive, an events agency within the Groupe’s network MSLGROUP, specialising in the production of international conferences and prestige events. Anthony has spent the majority of his career at Publicis Groupe; since joining Publicis Dialog in 1998, he has held the positions of Project Manager, Director of Operations, Vice President of Operations and most recently, since 2008, Managing Director of PublicisLive. Anthony’s predecessor, John Rossant, who held the position of President since 2008, will leave Publicis Groupe to continue the development of his foundation, The New Cities Foundation and other personal projects.

“Anthony Gazagne is an extraordinarily worthy successor to John,” says Maurice Lévy, Chairman and CEO, Publicis Groupe. “This promotion is a natural next step for Anthony within our Groupe. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of its employees, PublicisLive is today one of the most well renowned and prestigious events agencies worldwide. Anthony’s international experience and professionalism will be deeply valuable as PublicisLive continues to go from strength to strength. Anthony is tasked with taking the agency to the next level, and I thank John Rossant for his untiring commitment and efforts to date, wishing him the best of luck with his future projects.”

Anthony adds, “Being named President of PublicisLive is a huge honour, and a testament to the Groupe’s recognition of both my and my entire team’s performance at PublicisLive. I would also like to thank Maurice Lévy and Olivier Fleurot [CEO, MSLGROUP] for the confidence they have placed in me. After more than 15 years at the heart of this impressive company, I look back with pride and also relish the prospect of the formidable challenge in front of me. PublicisLive regularly supports local government, international organisations and foundations – notably the World Economic Forum, our long-term client – to achieve their aims. Our role, one that is constantly evolving to deliver best in class leadership solutions for our clients, is at an important crossroads. We will focus on continued organic growth, while also looking at a range of external opportunities to further maximise growth.”

CNC and Capital MSL to merge

/0 Comments/in /by

CNC – Communications and Network Consulting – and Capital MSL, have announced their intention to merge. The combined consultancy will adopt the CNC name and offer clients a stronger international network and broader advisory capabilities. This step will considerably strengthen the overall group offering, as well as add a prominent Middle East and emerging markets presence – including offices in Abu Dhabi and Dubai – to CNC’s network.

The new CNC will begin operations on January 1, 2015, with 11 offices in eight countries working on more than 200 mandates globally. It will continue to offer a broad range of integrated strategic communications services, including financial and corporate communications, reputation management, crisis and issues management, internal and change communications and public affairs. As part of the MSLGROUP network, the combined operation will leverage the skills of strategic and financial communications sister consultancies, such as Kekst & Company in the US and JKL in the Nordic region, in addition to expanding its presence in Asia and Latin America.

Richard Campbell, Founder and CEO of Capital MSL and Roland Klein, currently Managing Partner of CNC London, will be joint Managing Partners in London as well as overseeing the growth in the Middle East. Claire Maloney and Nick Bastin, both shareholders and Managing Director’s of Capital MSL, will become Partners in the new firm, alongside the existing 10 Partners in the CNC Group.

“Since Publicis Groupe’s acquisition of CNC in 2012, it was clear that not only did we advise clients around similar issues, but that we also had the same vision for the future,” says Richard Campbell, Founder and CEO, Capital MSL. “It makes strong strategic sense to combine the two networks to create an impressive international organisation of real scale, serving our clients as their most trusted advisor. After a successful and highly enjoyable thirteen years of growth as Capital MSL, we are convinced that this is the right step for our colleagues and clients, helping them to realise their own ambitions on a more international stage and in a more complex communications environment.”