Leo Burnett to set up event mgmt arm

Advertising agency Leo Burnett is looking at setting up an event management arm in India.

Like its peers, Leo Burnett is also eyeing opportunities in public relations and internet businesses. But unlike the event management company, Leo's foray into the public relations and internet portal businesses will be done through acquisitions.

"Though all our growth in the advertising field will be done organically, for our new ventures we are considering acquisitions. We have identified public relations, digital and internet as interesting areas where we would like to have a presence but that will be done through acquisitions," said Arvind Sharma, chairman and chief executive officer of Leo Burnett India.

The agency already operates in the media buying, film promotion and ground promotion spaces through Starcom media, Leo Entertainment and Leo Activation. Besides these, advertising agency Orchard also falls under the Leo Burnett banner.

The Rs 550 crore advertising agency, which moved up from rank 16 to being among the top five agencies in India this year, also bagged the 'worldwide agency of the year' which is conferred upon the most sucessful Leo Burnett agency around the world, that is, around 160 agencies.

Diversification seems to be the name of the game among the top advertising agencies as they have started branching out into the communications business to grow their business.

Another advertising major Rediffusion recently forayed into event and talent management with its Showdiff and added to its list of eight affiliates operating in various businesses like media buying, internet portal and public relations.