MUMBAI: In a bid to penetrate the Indian market, Publicis Groupe will acquire a 60 per cent stake in Solutions Integrated Marketing Services. This is a marketing services agency in India. The transaction is subject to the approval of the Indian government's Foreign Investment Promotion Board.

With broad capabilities across Asia, Solutions claims to be the only Indian group offering Fortune 500 companies an integrated expertise in direct, interactive, promotional, event and retail marketing.

Publicis says that specialised agencies and marketing services (Sams) is a key investment area for it especially in fast-growing economies such as India. Publicis Groupe chairman and CEO Maurice Levy says, "The Solutions teams under the leadership of Srikant Sastri are world-class, and they will find with Publicis Groupe formidable opportunities
for their future. India will be an increasingly critical area of the world for us, as I underscored during my last visit there. We are thrilled to have Solutions on board in order to provide world-class marketing solutions for our clients as they continue to invest in India and South Asia."

The acquisition underscores Publicis Groupe's strategic commitment to the vitally important Indian market, where the dynamic marketing services industry is valued at $1 billion annually. Publicis Groupe already maintains a strong presence in India through Leo Burnett, Saatchi & Saatchi, Starcom MediaVest Group, ZenithOptimedia and Publicis (with Publicis India and Publicis Ambience).

Solutions co-founder and MD Srikant Sastr said the Publicis Groupe relationship is good for both his employees and clients. "With Publicis Groupe, we have access to global resources, making us an even
stronger organisation and marketing partner for our multinational clients. It also helps us build employees' skills, innovation, and creativity so that we can continue to deliver exceptional results across the region."