IAS, set up in 1992, represents several Indian and international media houses like The Times Group, Star TV Network, Malayala Manorama Group, South China Morning Post, Sony Television, Outlook, Condenast Traveller, Vogue and Gulf Air Inflight. IAS also co-owns a leading advertising agency - Ikon Advertising & Marketing, a Dubai-based advertising and marketing agency, says an official release.

Says Hanmer and Partners managing director Sunil Gaut,"Many of our clients need PR services in the Middle East. Moreover, we feel that the public relations industry in the Middle East also has a huge potential and this is our first endeavor towards tapping the same."

Hanmer currently has 11 dedicated offices all across India, and includes advertising, events and regional PR in its spectrum of services. Some of the blue chip clients handled by Hanmer & Partners include Gujarat Ambuja Cements, Monsanto India, ING Vysya Group, Western Union Money Transfer, Nirma, Ambit Corporate Finance and IDFC among others.