MSLGROUP Acquires North Strategic In Canada

The agency will be part of Publicis Communications, will add a new market, social/digital and creative strength in Canada

PARIS and TORONTO, Nov. 30, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- MSLGROUP announced today that it has acquired 100% of North Strategic, one of the fastest growing independent public relations firms in Canada. The agency, based in Toronto will be aligned with the strategic communications and engagement company of Publicis Groupe [Euronext Paris FR0000130577, CAC 40], which is a part of Publicis Communications in Canada.  Publicis Communications is one of Publicis Groupe's four Solution hubs bringing together its global creative networks.

The acquisition includes Notch Video, North Strategic's online video marketplace and content hub.  North Strategic and Notch video will retain their names and will work separately but seamlessly alongside the existing MSLGROUP and Publicis Communications operations.  With offices in Toronto, Montreal and Calgary, North Strategic essentially triples MSLGROUP's presence in the country. MSLGROUP has existing offices in Toronto and Montreal.  Calgary will be a new market for MSLGROUP.

Founded in 2011 by Mia Pearson and Justin Creally, North Strategic has been recognized with numerous awards as one of Canada's most distinctive and creative agencies. Holmes Report named North Strategic Canadian PR Agency of the Year in 2015 and 2016 and a finalist for Global Digital Agency of the Year in 2016. Marketing Magazine honored the company as one of the Top 10 Marketing Agencies in Canada for three consecutive years from 2013 – 2015.

With significant strength in consumer marketing, brand strategy as well as corporate communications, the agency brings earned media, influencer relations and social media content together for top brands such as Samsung, Canadian Tire, Tim Hortons, Cadillac Fairview, Twitter and Airbnb.

Mia Pearson will be CEO, Canada for the MSLGROUP companies in the market, reporting to Guillaume Herbette, Global MSLGROUP CEO. Gayla Brock-Woodland will continue to lead MSL Canada as President and will report to Pearson.

"The time is right to maximize our growth in Canada, particularly in the advanced areas of social and digital communications and content creation," said Herbette. "Together with the existing MSLGROUP team in Canada that was the Strategy PR Agency of the Year in Canada in 2015, we will be a powerful force in this important marketplace. The acquisition also supports Publicis Communications' ability to compete as a 'Power of One' in the Canadian marketplace and around the world, allowing us to offer our clients a strong collaborative approach matched with best-in-class competencies."

Mia Pearson added, "The unique North and Notch combination has helped us achieve unparalleled growth in the Canadian market. Joining forces with the Publicis network in Canada is an exciting next step in the evolution of North and Notch."

 Creally added. "Our teams are constantly learning and gaining new insights on behalf of our clients. We are excited about the power of the Publicis network to add expertise and skills to our teams while also opening the doors to international careers."

About North Strategic

North Strategic is Canada's fastest growing PR and social media agency. Our passionate and entrepreneurial team brings mass media coverage, word-of-mouth buzz, and social media savvy together with brand strategy and storytelling to create the perfect marketing formula to propel our clients' businesses forward. North was recognized as the 2015 and 2016 Canadian Agency of the Year by The Holmes Report –SABRE Awards, Marketing Magazine's List of Top 10 agencies for each of the last three years and most recently shortlisted as Digital Agency of the Year globally by The Holmes Report. With offices in Toronto, Montreal and Calgary, North works with some of Canada largest and most beloved consumer brands to create lasting campaigns that get noticed and generate tangible business results. Facebook   Twitter   Instagram

About Notch Video

Notch Video provides a fresh take on creative content production, built from the ground up to deliver engaging, cost-effective solutions for brands. We believe today's marketers need the kind of on-demand videos, stories, and digital content that people are excited to consume wherever and whenever they're watching. Our unique Notch Video production model – based on a curated network of more than 800 talented video creators – has allowed us to disrupt the traditional content marketing industry. We provide full-service video strategy, creative production, post production, and distribution, with a team that delivers award-winning videos, photos, GIFs, cinemagraphs, and every other manner of digital content.  Facebook    Twitter    Instagram

About Publicis Communications 

Publicis Communications is one of the four solutions hubs of Publicis Groupe [Euronext Paris FR0000130577, CAC 40], alongside Publicis Media, Publicis.Sapient and Publicis Healthcare. Led by Arthur Sadoun, CEO, Publicis Communications unites the Groupe's creative offering: Publicis Worldwide, Leo Burnett, Saatchi & Saatchi, BBH, Fallon, Marcel, Prodigious, a global production leader, and MSLGROUP, specialized in strategic communications. Present in 20 markets, Publicis Communications aims to be the indispensable creative partner in their clients' transformation. Publicis Communications draws upon the expertise of over 30,000 employees.

About MSLGROUP

MSLGROUP is Publicis Groupe's strategic communications and engagement group, advisors in all aspects of communication strategy: from consumer PR to financial communications, from public affairs to reputation management and from crisis communications to experiential marketing and events. With more than 3,000 people across 110 offices worldwide, MSLGROUP is also the largest PR network in Europe, fast-growing China and India. It offers strategic planning and counsel, insight-guided thinking and big, compelling ideas – followed by thorough execution. mslgroup.com| Twitter| Facebook| LinkedIn| YouTube| Slideshare| Pinterest 

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SOURCE MSLGROUP

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