NEW DELHI, Feb. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Weber Shandwick, part of the Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG), announced today that it has reached an agreement with majority equity holder MAA Group Holdings to increase the firm’s previous 40 percent equity share of multi-award winning agency Corporate Voice | Weber Shandwick (CVWS), to 100 percent. CVWS has offices in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Kolkata.

MAA Group Holdings Chairman Bunty Peerbhoy will continue in his role as chairman of CVWS. Atul Ahluwahlia and Dilip Yadav also will continue in their roles as president and executive vice president, respectively. Ahluwahlia will report directly to Tim Sutton, chairman Weber Shandwick Asia Pacific.

For seven consecutive years, CVWS has been the most awarded public relations consultancy in India.

Its campaigns have been recognised three times by Cannes PR Lion Silver awards. The team was named 2011 India Consultancy of the Year by The Holmes Report, and has been honoured at the prestigious APAC SABRE Awards three out of the past four years.

Andy Polansky, Weber Shandwick’s chief executive officer, commented on the news, “I am delighted to welcome CVWS into full membership of the wider Weber Shandwick family. For the past 16 years, Weber Shandwick and CVWS have built a close relationship that has benefitted clients across industry sectors. We have always considered Bunty Peerbhoy to be a valuable partner and supporter of building important capabilities, and we are very pleased that he will continue to serve as our chairman in India. We see great growth potential for the business in the years ahead.”

Bunty Peerbhoy, commented: “We have always believed in a deep long-term relationship with Weber Shandwick. Both parties have always been hugely committed to each other and it is that trust and friendship which makes this feel like such a right and natural step. I am delighted to be able to continue supporting both the business and our wonderful staff who make our business so special.”

Weber Shandwick’s network spans 73 owned offices in 31 countries and affiliates and partners that expand the network to 126 offices in 81 countries. Weber Shandwick operates in virtually every major media, government and business center on six continents.

About Weber Shandwick
Weber Shandwick is a leading global public relations firm with offices in 81 countries around the world. The firm has won numerous awards for innovative approaches and creative campaigns including being named both The Holmes Report’s 2012 Global Agency of the Year and the “Most Creative PR Firm in the World,” based on the agency’s first-place finish in its “Creative Index,” as well as PR News’ 2012 Digital PR Firm of the Year. Major practice areas include consumer marketing, healthcare, technology, public affairs, financial services, corporate and crisis management. The firm has deep, award-winning expertise in social media and digital marketing that helps drive engagement. Weber Shandwick is part of the Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). For more information, visit http://www.webershandwick.com or http://www.webershandwick.asia.

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