Publicis Groupe acquires iStrat and MarketGate Dimensions

iStrat will be rebranded as Publicis iStrat and will operate as a unit within Publicis Modem, the global digital network from the house of Publicis Worldwide. MarketGate, on the other hand, will retain its name.

(prHWY.com) December 7, 2012 - Gurgaon, India -- Continuing its aggressive acquisition spree in India, The Publicis Groupe has announced the acquisition of two more independent outfits -- iStrat, a Delhi-headquartered integrated digital agency and MarketGate Dimensions, a Mumbai-based strategic business and marketing consulting firm.


iStrat will be rebranded as Publicis iStrat and will operate as a unit within Publicis Modem, the global digital network from the house of Publicis Worldwide. The founders of iStrat, Navneet Singh Sahni and Sonya Sahni, will continue to lead the agency.

MarketGate will retain its name and will operate as a unit within Publicis Worldwide. It will continue to be led by its founders, Shripad Nadkarni and Sharda Agarwal.

All the four leaders will now report to Nakul Chopra, chief executive officer, South Asia, Publicis Worldwide.

These acquisitions, claims the media giant, mark yet another step towards reaching its target of doubling its size in India between 2010 and 2015.

In an interview with afaqs! earlier this year, Jean-Yves Naouri, chief operating officer and member of the management board of the Publicis Groupe, and executive chairman of Publicis Worldwide, had said, "India is definitely no longer an emerging market. It is a fast-growing market."

Addressing the current development, he now conveys in a press note, "Building digital capabilities is a fundamental part of the Publicis strategy and today's acquisition of iStrat is a key step towards realising our growth goals. In addition, MarketGate is a fast-moving strategic outfit with strong skill-sets, an impressive range of clients and thorough knowledge of the Indian market and its consumers."

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