MSLGROUP
{{short description|Public relations network of companies}}
{{COI|date=December 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2014}}
{{Infobox company
| name = MSL
| logo = MSL Logo.jpg
| industry = Communications
Marketing
Public relations
| founded = 2009
| area_served = Worldwide
| key_people =
| num_employees = 2,000
| parent = Publicis Groupe
| homepage = {{url|mslgroup.com}}
}}
MSLGROUP is a public relations (PR) network of companies. Specialists in strategic communications and engagement, the company is part of the French multinational Publicis Groupe. It evolved as a merger of Publicis Consultants and Manning Selvage & Lee (thus, the "MSL" in the name).{{cite news| url=http://www.holmesreport.com/ranking-and-data/global-communications-report/2016-pr-agency-rankings/top-250 |title=The Holmes Report Global Top 250 PR Agency Ranking 2016|date=5 September 2011|newspaper=Holmes Report|access-date=8 February 2013}}
MSL offers the following services: public relations, financial communications, experiential marketing, live event management, healthcare communications, public affairs, reputation management and social media marketing.
In 2021, public relations analyst firm The Holmes Report ranked MSLGROUP as the seventh largest PR agency in the world, by revenue.{{Cite web|title=Top 250|url=https://www.provokemedia.com/ranking-and-data/global-pr-agency-rankings/2021-pr-agency-rankings/top-250|access-date=2022-02-23|website=PRovoke Media|language=en}} MSLGROUP has over 100 offices in 40 countries, and employs 2,000 people (as of February 2022).{{Cite web|title=Home {{!}} MSL Global|url=http://mslgroup.com/msl|access-date=2022-02-23|website=MSL|language=en}}
History
In 1980, MS&L was acquired by the Benton & Bowles, Inc. ad agency, who ended up merging with the Leo Burnett ad agency before the entire group was bought by France's Publicis Groupe, to form the world's fourth largest communications company.{{cite web|url=http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/history2/71/Manning-Selvage-Lee-MS-L.html |title=Manning Selvage & Lee (MS&L) - Company Profile, Information, Business Description, History, Background Information on Manning Selvage & Lee (MS&L)|website=referenceforbusiness.com|access-date=2019-03-01}}
In October 2010, MSLGROUP acquired 20:20, an Indian public relations firm specializing in technology and social media.{{cite news|title=Publicis to buy 20:20 MEDIA, 2020 Social|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/tp-marketing/article1005597.ece?ref=archive|access-date=10 February 2012|newspaper=The Hindu Business Line|date=2 October 2010}} In November, it acquired Eastwei Relations, now integrated into MSL China.{{cite news|title=MSLGroup Merges Eastwei And MSLChina|url=http://www.holmesreport.com/news-info/11181/MSLGroup-Merges-Eastwei-And-MSLChina.aspx|access-date=10 February 2012|newspaper=Holmes Report|date=22 November 2011}} In December, Publicis Groupe announced a majority stake in Brazilian PR agency Andreoli MS&L to align under MSLGROUP.{{Cite web|url=https://www.portada-online.com/2010/12/16/publicis-groupe-takes-majority-stake-in-brazils-andreoli-msl/|title=Publicis Groupe Takes Majority Stake in Brazil’s Andreoli MS&L}}
In 2011, MSLGROUP made four acquisitions: Taiwan-based Interactive Communications Ltd (ICL), Genedigi Group,{{cite news|title=Agency Report:MSLGROUP|url=http://www.holmesreport.com/agencyreport-info/4241/MSLGroup.aspx|access-date=10 February 2012|newspaper=Holmes Report|date=20 July 2011}} technology PR agency Schwartz Communications,{{cite news|title=Publicis Groupe S.A. Acquires PR Agency Schwartz Communications|url=https://www.reuters.com/finance/stocks/PUBP.PA/key-developments/article/2400248|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928023005/http://www.reuters.com/finance/stocks/PUBP.PA/key-developments/article/2400248|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 September 2012|access-date=16 April 2012|newspaper=Reuters|date=15 September 2011}} and Ciszewski Public Relations, Poland's largest independent public relations agency.{{cite news|title=News From the Advertising Industry|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/05/business/media/news-from-the-advertising-industry.html|access-date=16 April 2012|newspaper=New York Times|date=4 December 2011}} Schwartz Communications was renamed Schwartz MSL.{{cite web|last=Bruell |first=Alexandra |url=http://adage.com/article/agency-news/publicis-msl-group-acquires-schwartz-communications/229787/ |title=Publicis' MSL Group Acquires Schwartz Communications |publisher=AdAge |date=2011-09-15 |access-date=2019-11-06}}
In 2012, MSLGROUP acquired two marketing firms: King Harvests and Luminous Experiential.{{cite news|title=Publicis Groupe SA Acquires King Harvests and Luminous|url=https://www.reuters.com/finance/stocks/PUBP.PA/key-developments/article/2496645|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310223449/http://www.reuters.com/finance/stocks/PUBP.PA/key-developments/article/2496645|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 March 2012|access-date=16 April 2012|newspaper=Reuters|date=8 March 2012}} In July, CNC Communications became part of MSLGROUP after Publicis Groupe acquired it.{{cite news|title=Germany's CNC Joins MSLGroup After Publicis Groupe Acquisition|url=http://www.holmesreport.com/news-info/12117/Germanys-CNC-Joins-MSLGroup-After-Publicis-Groupe-Acquisition.aspx|access-date=2 June 2013|newspaper=Holmes Report|date=11 July 2012}}
In August 2013, Brazilian digital and social media marketing agency Espalhe joined MSLGROUP when Publicis Groupe acquired a majority stake in it.[https://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20130829-900322.html Publicis Groupe Acquires Espalhe -- PR and Digital Marketing Agency in Brazil] Wall Street Journal 29 August 2013 Retrieved 11 October 2013
In January 2014, Publicis Groupe acquired 100% stake in Washington D.C.–based Qorvis Communications to become a part of MSLGROUP.[https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/qorvis-acquired-by-global-pr-firm-publicis/2014/01/17/55f0a470-7dfb-11e3-93c1-0e888170b723_story.html] WashingtonPost 20 January 2014 Retrieved 8 May 2014 In June, Publicis Consultants MARC joined MSLGROUP, the agency operates under the name Publicis Consultants MSLGROUP, as part of Publicis Groupe Sofia – the Bulgarian unit of Publicis Groupe.{{cite web|url=http://www.mslgroup.com/news/2014/sofia/|title=Publicis Consultants {{!}} MARC joins MSLGROUP in Bulgaria|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225085559/http://www.mslgroup.com/news/2014/sofia/|archive-date=25 December 2016|url-status=dead}} In July, Publicis Groupe acquired UK based sustainability firm Salterbaxter, the agency operates as Salterbaxter MSLGROUP.{{Cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/publicis-slater-baxter-acquisition-sustainability-advertising|title=Publicis buys sustainability firm Salter Baxter: what it means for advertising|date=3 July 2014|website=the Guardian}} In September, Romanian PR agency, The Practice joined MSLGROUP. The agency now operates under the name MSLGROUP The Practice.{{Cite web|url=https://www.provokemedia.com/latest/article/romanian-pr-firm-the-practice-becomes-part-of-mslgroup|title=Romanian PR Firm The Practice Becomes Part Of MSLGroup|website=PRovoke Media}} In October, LiveCOM Slovenia joined MSLGROUP to operate under the name LiveCOM MSLGROUP, as part of Publicis Groupe Slovenia.{{cite web|url=http://www.mslgroup.com/news/2014/20141005-livecom-mslgroup/|title=LiveCOM Slovenia joins MSLGROUP|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225063808/http://www.mslgroup.com/news/2014/20141005-livecom-mslgroup/|archive-date=25 December 2016|url-status=dead}} In November, Capital MSL and Communications Networking Consulting (CNC) two communications consultancies within the MSLGROUP network merged. The new entity retained the CNC name and began operations on 1 January 2015.{{Cite web|url=https://www.prweek.com/article/1322297|title=Capital MSL to merge with sister agency CNC and boost London investment|website=www.prweek.com}} Also in 2014, Schwartz MSL was completely absorbed into MSLGroup.{{cite web|url=https://www.prweek.com/article/1379129/david-close-retires-22-years-mslgroup-schwartz |title=David Close retires after 22 years at MSLGROUP, Schwartz |website=prweek.com|date=2016-01-12 |access-date=2019-03-01}}
In February 2015, Publicis Groupe acquired South Africa based communications agency, Epic Communications which initially began to operate as Epic MSLGROUP.{{Cite web|url=https://www.prweek.com/article/1335912|title=Publicis snaps up South African firm Epic to merge into MSLGroup|website=www.prweek.com}} The agency has since dropped “Epic” from its name and now trades simply as “MSL” in South Africa.
In January 2016, MSLGROUP expanded its presence to Sri Lanka by re-branding Publicis Groupe's Sri Lankan PR agency Arc PR.{{Cite web|url=https://www.exchange4media.com/advertising-news/mslgroup-takes-over-sri-lanka-based-arc-pr-63170.html|title=MSLGROUP takes over Sri Lanka based Arc PR - Exchange4media|website=Indian Advertising Media & Marketing News – exchange4media}} In March, the company acquired Vietnam based Venus Communications to operate under the MSLGROUP brand.{{Cite web|url=https://www.prweek.com/article/1386281|title=MSLGroup buys Venus Communications in Vietnam|website=www.prweek.com}} In March, Publicis Groupe announced an equity partnership with the communications arm of Nigeria-based The Troyka Group, including a total of 6 agencies: Insight Communications, The Thinkshop, All Seasons Media, Media Perspectives, The Quadrant Company, and Hotsauce.{{Cite web|url=https://www.prweek.com/article/1387626|title=MSLGroup owner Publicis moves into West Africa with Troyka Group tie-up|website=www.prweek.com}} In June, Philippines based communications agency Arc started operating under the MSLGROUP brand through a strategic partnership with Publicis One.{{Cite web|url=https://www.prweek.com/article/1397706|title=MSLGroup and Publicis One join forces in the Philippines|website=www.prweek.com}} In November, MSLGROUP acquired Canadian PR firm North Strategic and its online video marketplace and content hub Notch Video{{Cite web|url=https://strategyonline.ca/2016/11/30/mslgroup-acquires-north-strategic/|title=MSLGroup acquires North Strategic|date=30 November 2016}} In December, the agency established its presence in Thailand through the rebranding of Arc PR under the MSLGROUP brand.{{Cite web|url=https://www.prweek.com/article/1418099|title=MSLGroup rebrands Arc PR in Thailand|website=www.prweek.com}} MSL entered the Australian market in July 2017 by acquiring New South Wales based The Herd Agency, rebranding it as Herd MSL.{{Cite news|url=http://www.thedrum.com/news/2017/07/03/publicis-launches-its-public-relations-agency-msl-herd-australia|title=Publicis launches its public relations agency MSL Herd in Australia|work=The Drum}} In November 2017, the agency opened a new office in Prague by integrating Publicis' PR operations in the Czech Republic under the MSL brand.{{Cite news|url=https://www.holmesreport.com/latest/article/msl-establishes-czech-presence-with-new-prague-office|title=MSL Establishes Czech Presence With New Prague Office|work=The Holmes Report}}
MSL global CEO Guillaume Herbette left the company in 2019 and was not replaced.{{Cite web|title=MSL Global CEO Guillaume Herbette Exits Agency|url=https://www.provokemedia.com/latest/article/msl-global-ceo-guillaume-herbette-exits-agency|access-date=2022-02-23|website=PRovoke Media|language=en}}
In December 2021, a team of Qorvis executives completed a management buyout, wholly acquiring the public affairs specialist shop from holding company Publicis Groupe and is no longer a part of Publicis Groupe or MSL.{{Cite web|url=https://www.prweek.com/article/1809150|title=Qorvis completes management buyout, splits from Publicis Groupe|first1=Ewan|last1=Larkin|first2=Jess Ruderman Added 25 hours|last2=ago|website=www.prweek.com}}
Recognition
- In 2016, MSLGROUP tied for fifth in the Holmes Report 250 Global Ranking of PR Firms, by revenue.
- In 2021, MSLGROUP was ranked 7th on the Global Top 250 PR Agency Ranking.{{Cite web |title=Top 250 |url=https://www.provokemedia.com/ranking-and-data/global-pr-agency-rankings/2021-pr-agency-rankings/top-250 |access-date=2022-05-12 |website=PRovoke Media |language=en}}
- MSL was named a 2022 and 2021 PRWeek Best Place to Work {{Cite web|url=https://www.prweek.com/article/1733845|title=Best Places to Work 2021 honorees|website=www.prweek.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.prweek.com/article/1806989|title=Best Places to Work 2022 Honorees|website=www.prweek.com}} and PRovoke Media's 2022 Best Midsize Agency to Work For. {{Cite web|url=https://www.provokemedia.com/events-awards/agencies-of-the-year/2022-agencies-of-the-year/2022-best-agencies-to-work-for/north-america-2022|title=North America 2022|website=PRovoke Media}}
Controversies
{{See also|Public executions in Saudi Arabia|Capital punishment in Saudi Arabia|Human rights in Saudi Arabia}}
Qorvis MSLGroup, amid the execution of political protesters and opponents, has been working with Saudi Arabia for more than a decade to whitewash its record on human rights.{{cite news|last1=Green|first1=Chris|title=PR firm accused of helping Saudi Arabia 'whitewash' its human rights record|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/pr-firm-accused-of-helping-saudi-arabia-whitewash-its-human-rights-record-a6937271.html|access-date=18 May 2016|work=The Independent|date=17 March 2016}}{{cite web|title=Supplemental Statement Pursuant to the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938|url=http://www.fara.gov/docs/5483-Supplemental-Statement-20150504-19.pdf|website=fara.gov|publisher=Foreign Agents Registration Act|access-date=18 May 2016|page=12|format=PDF|date=5 April 2015}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}