MUMBAI: Publicis Groupe has decided to acquire a majority stake in Mumbai-based healthcare advertising agency, Watermelon Healthcare Communications.

On completion of the transaction, Watermelon will become part of Publicis Healthcare Communications Group (PHCG) and will be renamed Publicis Life Brands Watermelon.

Watermelon‘s founders, Abhijit Shitut and Kiran Pai, will be appointed joint managing directors of the new company. Said Shitut and Pai, "We are excited to be part of PHCG and believe that this will help us change the landscape of healthcare communications in India. Because PHCG is revered for its excellence in global communications in the healthcare sector, we look forward to working together in leveraging their knowledge and global network in our local market."

Watermelon‘s clientele includes pharma and biotech companies like AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, Merck Specialties, MSD Pharmaceuticals and Novartis.

Added PHCG Asia Pacific region (APAC) president Ash Kuchel, "PHCG is delighted to welcome Watermelon to our network. Watermelon is the right fit and has the expertise to further develop our healthcare communications credentials in new media and best-in-class practices in this important and rapidly emerging market. PHCG will continue to expand its global presence throughout the region in the near future."