Ketchum, one of the world’s largest global public relations consultancies, has acquired a majority stake in India, Sampark PR. This move, follows recent acquisitions in Greater China and Russia. Sampark PR was founded in 1994 by Bela Rajan and N.S. Rajan, who, as director and managing director, will continue to lead the India business and will retain a significant holding in the agency going forward. It will operate as Ketchum Sampark.
Sampark PR, one of the leading PR networks in India, has broad national reach with offices located in Mumbai, New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Pune and Hyderabad and a network of 80 associate offices that extends throughout the country’s 25 states, providing greater inroads into India for Ketchum’s international client businesses and global brands. In turn, Ketchum will provide greater access to international markets for blue-chip and burgeoning Indian companies and brands, many of which are turning to communications to help build and support their reputations. In fact, a recent study carried out by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM India) underscored the significant expansion of the public relations industry in India, which is growing 32 percent annually, measured against the acceleration of between 22 percent and 25 percent witnessed during the last few years.
“Today marks another important milestone for Ketchum as we continue to implement our global vision of providing consistently excellent communications service to our clients in the key business and communications markets where they operate,” said Ray Kotcher, senior partner and CEO, Ketchum. “Our investments over the past six months, in Russia, China and now India, are predicated on this strategy and fortify the foundation we have in place for our clients and our people.”
As part of the transaction, in addition to Bela Rajan and N.S. Rajan, the India operation’s board of directors will include Higgins, Robert Lorfink, senior partner, COO, and CFO of Ketchum, and Tom Harrison, chairman and CEO of Diversified Agency Services, a division of Omnicom Group. The leadership team of Bela Rajan, N.S. Rajan and Ajay Sharma, managing partner, will continue to manage the day-to-day operations of the agency in India.
“The enormous potential in India leads to a strong demand for communications services from global companies operating in the region and Indian companies looking at new markets. This is an ideal time to reach this agreement,” said N.S. Rajan. “We are eager to work with the board and Ketchum’s leadership group to expand our partnership with Ketchum and maximize opportunities for our clients. We believe we can better service our clients and can accomplish far more together in the years ahead than we could have achieved on our own.”
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