Publicis to buy majority stake in Watermelon Healthcare

Leading communications firm, the Publicis Groupe, today said it will acquire a majority stake in Watermelon Healthcare Communications, an Indian healthcare advertising agency.

On completion of this transaction, Watermelon will become a part of Publicis Healthcare Communications Group (PHCG) and will be renamed Publicis Life Brands Watermelon, a release said here.

"Watermelon has the expertise to further develop our healthcare communications credentials in new media and best- in-class practices in this important and rapidly emerging market. PHCG will continue to expand its global presence throughout the region in the near future," PHCG Asia-Pacific (APAC) President Ash Kuchel said.

"We are excited to be a part of PHCG and believe this will help us change the landscape of healthcare communications in India. We look forward to working with PHCG in leveraging their knowledge and global network in our local market," Watermelon Founder Abhijit Shitut in the release.

Leading pharma and biotech firms like AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, Merck Specialties, MSD Pharmaceuticals and Novartis are some of the clients of Watermelon, the release said.