Hemant Misra new president & COO of Publicis India

Delhi, March 28, 2007 : In a significant move, Publicis India has appointed, Senior Vice President of JWT, Hemant Misra, as the President & COO of Publicis India. Current COO Param Saikia moves on to head Publicis Dialog. Both Param and Hemant will be based in Delhi, will be members of the Publicis Management Board and will report directly to Nakul Chopra, MD & CEO, Publicis Network in India.

Commenting on the new developments, Nakul Chopra, CEO and MD, Publicis Network in India , said, "We are now moving aggressively to take Publicis to a leadership position in India. This change in our management structure is one key step in that direction. Hemant brings with him a unique combination of entrepreneurial attitude, sterling management skills, and depth of experience in guiding large brands. As Publicis India looks to its next stage of evolution "� I could not have found a better person to entrust this brand to."

Hemant Misra adds "I believe the communications business is changing faster than most agencies can react. Publicis India has the ideal size and youth to lead that change. Param has already done a wonderful job. I now look forward to working with Nakul and the team to ring in a new paradigm."

On Param Saikia's new role, Nakul had this to say, "In Param I have one of my most trusted team members "� with an exemplary track record. He has the unique ability to successfully walk paths that others fear. Proof of this is the formidable Publicis India organization he has built virtually from scratch in 4 years. Publicis Dialog is our single most important initiative for Asia Pacific in 2007 "� India is expected to lead this initiative "� and I am hence turning to my best resource Param."

Param Saikia adds "It is gratifying to see where Publicis India has reached today "� I have known Hemant well and I know that this fantastic team will be in good hands. Publicis Dialog is not just our most important initiative "� equally our most challenging one. As always ambitions are fierce and impatient. I am currently working closely with Partha Sinha Regional Strategist Publicis Dialog and Solutions to finalize our strategy."

Hemant Misra has to his credit a 20 year career in advertising where he has closely worked on various national and international brands like McDonalds's, Nestle, Electrolux, Hewlett Packard, Samsung, FritoLay, Dabur, Yamaha among others. Param Saikia joined Publicis as COO in 2003 "� after stints in JWT, McCann and Euro - and has been responsible for the rapid growth of Publicis India in Delhi and Mumbai.

About the Publicis Network in India

Publicis is the lead agency of the Publicis Groupe "� the 4th largest communications group in the world. The Publicis network spans 83 countries and 256 offices.

The Publicis Network in India is represented by two agencies Publicis India and Ambience Publicis. Combined these two agencies are estimated to have a Top 10 ranking "� with multiple offices in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore. Publicis Network is one of India's top ranked creative agencies "� with well over 400 awards since its inception "� including several international accolades with finalists in all major international award shows "� Cannes, Clio, One Show, D&AD, Adfest etc.

In India Publicis works with an impressive array of clients that include, Hewlett Packard, Nestle, L'Oreal, Procter & Gamble, Sanofi Aventis, Fidelity Investments, Marico Industries, Lakme, Nerolac Paints, Aviva Insurance, Citibank, Sansui, Godrej Sara Lee, Westside, ABN Ambro Bank etc.