Publicis Groupe to acquire 20:20 Media, 2020 Social

Euronext Paris-listed Publicis Groupe today said that it plans to acquire a majority stake in communications agency, 20:20 Media, and social media consulting firm, 2020Social, subject to the mandatory FIPB approvals.

After the transaction is concluded, the two Indian agencies will become part of MS&LGroup, Publicis Groupe's PR and events network.

Earlier in 2007, MS&L had acquired leading Indian public relations consultancy Hanmer & Partners, founded by Sunil Gautam, a former founding partner Mumbai-based Clea Advertising, rebranding it as Hanmer MS&L. (See: Publicis Groupe's PR arm Manning Selvage & Lee's to acquire top Indian PR firm Hanmer & Partners)

Founded in 1989, 20:20 Media among the leading public relations firms, specialising in technology communications. 20:20 Media employs more than 140 staff across its offices in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and Pune.

Last year, the PR firm was selected as the India PR agency of the year at the Indy's Awards.

The acquisition of 2020Social would help MS&LGroup acquire clients access to India's first social media consulting firm. 2020Social was founded in 2009 and focuses on strategy and advisory services for C-suite executives, marketers and PR directors, and provides technology development, campaign management and evaluation.