Publicis Groupe acquires Mumbai-based Convonix

Following this, the company will align with Starcom MediaVest Group (SMG), a part of the group, in India to provide search engine optimisation (SEO), paid search marketing, social media marketing and online reputation management to an extensive roster of clients, Publicis Groupe said in a statement.

"The acquisition of Convonix is a testament to Publicis Groupe's strategic commitment to expanding its operations across India, with the ambitious goal of doubling its size in India between 2010 and 2015," it said.

Publicis Groupe has been on an acquisition spree in India, including recent that of Indigo Consulting in April 2012, Resultrix in August 2012, iStrat in December 2012 and MarketGate in December 2012.

Commenting on the acquisition, Starcom MediaVest Group Global Chief Executive Officer Laura Desmond said: "Combined with our existing talent in the market, this deal strengthens our offering to ensure we are the market leaders in digital."

After the takeover, the three founding members of Convonix -- Vishal Sampat, CEO; Sarfaraz Khimani, co-COO; and Pallav Jain, co-COO, will continue to lead the agency, the statement said.

"Convonix will sit within SMG and will operate as SMG Convonix, with two market-facing brands: SMG Digital, and Convonix," it added.

Publicis Groupe is the third largest communications group in the world, with presence in a variety of segments including advertising, public affairs, corporate communications and events, media buying and strategy. It is present in 104 countries

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