Ketchum buys majority stake in Sampark

Ketchum, one of the world's largest global public relations consultancies, has acquired a majority stake in a leading Indian PR firm Sampark following which the latter will now operate as Ketchum Sampark.

This move further strengthens and expands, Ketchum's footprint in markets with rapidly growing demand for communication services. It had recently acquired similar firms in Greater China and Russia.

"Its yet another important milestone for Ketchum as we continue to implement our global vision of providing consistently excellent communications service to our clients in the key business and communications markets where they operate," Ketchum Senior Partner and CEO Ray Kotcher said in a statement.

Sampark PR that has a national reach with offices in Mumbai, New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Pune and Hyderabad and a network of 80 associate offices across the country, will help easy penetration for Ketchum, the statement said.

In turn, Ketchum will provide greater access to international markets for blue-chip and burgeoning Indian companies and brands, many of which are turning to communications to help build and support their reputations.

Meanwhile, the Indian agency founded in 1994, would continue to operate under the leadership of its founder NS Rajan as its managing director, it added.

"The enormous potential in India leads to a strong demand for communications services from global companies operating in the region and Indian companies looking at new markets. This is an ideal time to reach this agreement," Rajan said in the statement.