MS&L wins two PR Lions at Cannes International Advertising Festival

Company Brief

Mumbai, June 25, 2009

MS&L, one of the world's leading global communications firms, won two PR Lions for its work with the Japanese city of Yubari and separately, for an international consumer goods CSR campaign at this year’s Lion Awards at the 2009 International Advertising Festival in Cannes, France. By capturing two PR Lions, MS&L led all international public relations agencies in awards.

“This is a truly rewarding campaign for MS&L Japan to have been a part of,” remarked Eric Hess, managing director MS&L Japan. “By working in an integrated way with the talented Beacon Communications team, MS&L Japan was able to leverage its expertise in the areas of tourism, economic development and consumer marketing to create a significant and tangible benefit to the Yubari community and the city’s future. “

One of MS&L’s two PR lions was in the travel, tourism and economic development category for work on the integrated campaign to support Yubari City, Japan. Yubari went bankrupt in 2007, and sought to promote the city, re-energize its citizens and help erase the debt burden. The PR campaign, “Yubari, no money but love,” focused on the fact that Yubari boasted the lowest divorce rate in Japan, and positioned the city as a destination for happy couples. The integrated campaign increased Yubari tourism by 10%, generating US$30 million towards the city’s debt. The Yubari campaign was executed in an integrated effort with Beacon Communications Japan (a Publicis Groupe company affiliated with Leo Burnett and Dentsu) and was also awarded the coveted “Grand Prix for Promo” Cannes award.

These two PR Lions also come on the heels of several recent awards for MS&L, including a PRSA Silver Anvil and six SABRE Awards in the U.S. and Europe for its work in digital media, consumer products and multicultural communications. MS&L Milan was also selected as 2009 Agency of the Year by The Holmes Report

The PR Lions awards category, new to the festival this year, received 431 entries globally and was awarded to just 17 campaigns.

For further information, please contact:

Hanmer MS&L

Prarthana Choudhury

Tel: +91-22-67524600

Email: prarthana@hanmermsl.com