Publicis buys Indian health advertising agency
pharmafile | March 23, 2011 | News story | Medical Communications | Publicis Groupe, Publicis Life Brands Watermelon, Watermelon Healthcare Communications, healthcare communications agency, publicis
Publicis Groupe is to acquire a majority stake in a leading Indian healthcare advertising agency, Mumbai-based Watermelon Healthcare Communications.
Publicis is one of a handful of giant global communications agencies which hold many of the biggest accounts in pharma and healthcare, and is looking to expand its presence in the fast-growing market of India.
Once the deal is completed, the agency will join the Publicis Healthcare Communications group and will be renamed Publicis Life Brands Watermelon.
One of the leading healthcare advertising agencies in India, Watermelon is a full-service agency working in traditional and new media since its inception in 2003. Nearly 40 employees work to deliver strategic planning, digital and branding, creative, medical education, research, PR, and healthcare professional and consumer communications.
Watermelon has won numerous creative awards, including 12 awards of excellence at the recent Rx Awards. Its clients include AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, Merck Specialties, MSD Pharmaceuticals, and Novartis.
Watermelon’s founders, Abhijit Shitut and Kiran Pai, will serve as joint managing directors at Publicis Life Brands Watermelon.
“We are excited to be part of PHCG and believe this will help us change the landscape of healthcare communications in India,” commented Abhijit Shitut and Kiran Pai. “Because PHCG is revered for its excellence in global communications in the healthcare sector, we look forward to working together in leveraging their knowledge and global network in our local market.”
Ash Kuchel, president, PHCG Asia Pacific region (APAC), said: “PHCG is delighted to welcome Watermelon to our network. Watermelon is the right fit and has the expertise to further develop our healthcare communications credentials in new media and best-in-class practices in this important and rapidly emerging market. PHCG will continue to expand its global presence throughout the region in the near future.”
Andrew McConaghie
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