Hanmer MSL will now be MSL India; expansion on cards

After five years of being acquired by MSLGROUP India, the agency has been renamed, along with expansion plans for the next three years.

Multidisciplinary communications firm Hanmer MSL has been rebranded as MSL India. The name change is another step in aligning with its parent company MSLGROUP India, the strategic communications and engagement company of Publicis Groupe, which acquired Hanmer MSL in 2007.

Although MSL India was acquired by MSLGROUP in October 2007, it had continued business in its old name. However, the company now wants to focus its attention on the parent company's international brand name.

Speaking about the rebranding, Glenn Osaki, president, MSLGROUP Asia and chair, MSLGROUP India Management Board, says,
"India has always been one of MSLGROUP's highest priority markets, and we are proud to invest in and cultivate our team's passion and commitment to provide top-of-the-line creative solutions to clients, and being the most trusted advisors in the nation. The new MSL India brand will emphasise our dedication to innovate and engage conversations and communities across the India market."

MSL India has also announced its expansion plans for the next three years. Some of the initiatives, which have already been put into action, are focus on strategic communication, digital communications, industry leading focus on talent development and enhanced agency positioning. In line with the new brand name, MSL India will also be seen in the same locations as MSLGROUP India, which recently opened its office in Lower Parel, Mumbai.

Jaideep Shergill, CEO, MSL India says that the change in brand name does not imply a change in company identity. Hence, there are no major changes in the logo.

Earlier last year, MSL India's sister organisation 20:20 Media, which was also acquired by MSLGROUP, was renamed 20:20 MSL. MSL India has offices in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Pune, and deals with communication needs of over 150 domestic and international brands.