Ketchum Buys Controlling Stake in Indian PR Company Sampark
Global public relations player Ketchum has just expanded their operations in India by acquiring the majority stake in one of the countries top PR agencies, Sampark PR. This is the most recent in a acquisition row for Ketchum who has also bought PR businesses from Greater China and Russia in an attempt to expand their global reach and offer localized communications services to its customers.
They have chosen Sampark PR for their leading role in the Indian PR market – the agency has been recently nominated by Holmes Report as Indian Consultancy of the Year. The PR company is on the market since 1994 and was founded by Bela Rajan and N.S. Rajan and has offices in Mumbai, New Delhi, Kokata, Chennai, Bangalore, Pune and Hyderabad, pus 80 associate offices spread out through India’s 25 states. The two founders will take the positions of director and managing director and will continue to be in charge of the new PR business in India which be renamed Ketchum Sampark.
“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.”
While Sampark will provide Ketchum with access to their widespread network, the US based company with offices in 70 countries across six continents will offer access to international markets to blue-chip and burgeoning companies and brands from 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.”
Ketchum Sampark’s roster of clients will include domestic clients as well as Ketchum global clients from industries such as automotive, finance, healthcare, technology and travel. The Indian PR agency will provide services which include financial and corporate communications, investor relations, issues and crisis management and brand marketing.
