MSLGROUP is a public relations (PR) network of companies. Specialists in strategic communications and engagement, the company is part of the French multinational Publicis Groupe. It evolved as a merger of Publicis Consultants and Manning Selvage & Lee (thus, the "MSL" in the name).
MSLGROUP offers the following services: public relations, financial communications, experiential marketing, live event management, healthcare communications, public affairs, reputation management and social media marketing.
It is the fourth largest PR conglomerate in the world, following Edelman, Weber Shandwick and Fleishman-Hillard. MSLGROUP has over 110 offices in 36 countries, and employs more than 3,000 people (as of December 2016).
In 1980, MS&L was acquired by the Benton & Bowles, Inc. ad agency, who ended up merging with the Leo Burnett ad agency before the entire group was bought by France's Publicis Groupe, to form the world's fourth largest communications company.
In October 2010, MSLGROUP acquired 20:20, an Indian public relations firm specializing in technology and social media.
It acquired Eastwei Relations in the same year, now integrated into MSL China.
In Dec 2010, Publicis Groupe announced a majority stake in Brazilian PR agency Andreoli MS&L to align under MSLGROUP.
In 2011, MSLGROUP made four acquisitions: Taiwan-based Interactive Communications Ltd (ICL), Genedigi Group, technology PR agency Schwartz Communications, and Ciszewski, Poland's largest independent public relations agency.
In 2012, MSLGROUP acquired two marketing firms: King Harvests and Luminous Experiential.
CNC Communications became part of MSLGROUP after Publicis Groupe acquired it in July 2012.
Brazilian digital and social media marketing agency Espalhe joined MSLGROUP in August 2013 when Publicis Groupe acquired a majority stake in it.
In January 2014, Publicis Groupe acquired 100% stake in Washington D.C. based Qorvis Communications to become a part of MSLGROUP.
In June 2014, Publicis Consultants MARC joined MSLGROUP, the agency operates under the name Publicis Consultants MSLGROUP, as part of Publicis Groupe Sofia – the Bulgarian unit of Publicis Groupe.
In July 2014, Publicis Groupe acquired UK based sustainability firm Salterbaxter, the agency operates as Salterbaxter MSLGROUP.
In September 2014, Romanian PR agency, The Practice joined MSLGROUP. The agency now operates under the name MSLGROUP The Practice.
In October 2014, LiveCOM Slovenia joined MSLGROUP to operate under the name LiveCOM MSLGROUP, as part of Publicis Groupe Slovenia.
In November 2014, Capital MSL and Communications Networking Consulting (CNC) two communications consultancies within the MSLGROUP network merged. The new entity retained the CNC name and began operations on 1 January 2015.
In February 2015, Publicis Groupe acquired South Africa based communications agency, Epic Communications which now operates as Epic MSLGROUP.
In January 2016, MSLGROUP expanded its presence to Sri Lanka by re-branding Publicis Groupe's Sri Lankan PR agency Arc PR.
In March 2016, acquired Vietnam based Venus Communications to operate under the MSLGROUP brand.
In March 2016, Publicis Groupe announced an equity partnership with the communications arm of Nigeria based The Troyka Group, including a total of 6 agencies: Insight Communications, The Thinkshop, All Seasons Media, Media Perspectives, The Quadrant Company, and Hotsauce.
In June 2016, Philippines based communications agency Arc started operating under the MSLGROUP brand through a strategic partnership with Publicis One.
In November 2016, MSLGROUP acquired Canadian PR firm North Strategic and its online video marketplace and content hub Notch Video
In Dec 2016, the agency established its presence in Thailand through the rebranding of Arc PR under the MSLGROUP brand.
MSLGROUP ranked fifth in the Holmes Report 250 Global Ranking of PR Firms in 2016.
Qorvis MSLGroup, amid the execution of political protesters and opponents, has been working with Saudi Arabia for more than a decade to whitewash its record on human rights.
