MSLGROUP wins big at SABRE Awards

Hong Kong, September 30, 2016 – MSLGROUP, the influence and engagement consultancy of Publicis Groupe, and the largest strategic communications and reputation advisory network in Asia and Europe, was named Asia Pacific Consultancy of the Year by the Holmes Report at the 2016 SABRE Awards ceremony in Hong Kong on Wednesday night. It is the second time in four years that MSLGROUP has received this highest of Asia recognitions by the Holmes Report, and it demonstrates MSLGROUP’s leading position in the region in driving transformation for itself, its clients and the industry at large. In addition to the agency honor, Glenn Osaki, MSLGROUP’s Asia President, was honored with an Outstanding Individual Achievement SABRE Award for his contributions to the company and the industry during his 30 years of leadership at MSLGROUP, especially the past 12 years in Asia.

Taking over  a fledgling 15-person operation in Greater China in 2005, Osaki has helped transform  MSLGROUP into  the largest international communications consultancy in Asia with 1,500 employees across 36 owned offices. This is the result of aggressive organic growth, a meticulous acquisition plan and sound investments. Further bolstered by the launch of a business strategy based on three essential components – insight, integration and impact (i3) -- and the closer collaboration with other Publicis Communication agencies, MSLGROUP has become a transformative force not only in the region but all over the world.

Glenn Osaki, Asia President of MSLGROUP, said, “We are very proud to be recognized as Asia Pacific Consultancy of the Year for the second time in four years by the Holmes Report. MSLGROUP has transformed itself to lead the growth and the revolution of the communications industry in Asia. Our i3 strategy allows us to uncover compelling insight, which informs integrated campaigns that drive business impact for our clients. Now even further powered by the closer collaboration with our sister agencies within Publicis Groupe, we will continue to support clients in their marketing transformation, delivering interdependent solutions with the Power of One.”

Commenting on the individual recognition of Glenn Osaki, Paul Holmes, CEO of The Holmes Group highlighted, "Glenn Osaki is a true transformer of the PR and communications industry, and he has the results to prove it. A formidable leader who is putting a bold vision, hard work and heart into everything he does, he is a role model for everyone with an ambition to drive change, provide world class client advisory and build a larger business. Congratulations to Glenn, who symbolizes what ‘outstanding’ really means."​

In addition to the agency of the year and individual achievement award, MSLGROUP won three Gold SABRE Awards and an In2 SABRE Award for four ground-breaking campaigns:

• Gold SABRE Award for Empowering Children on Seatbelt Safety: AXA’s No Belt, No Drive Safety Campaign by MSLGROUP China in partnership with Publicis China in the Financial & Professional Services category;
• Gold SABRE Award for IKEA’s Recipe for Success: Using continuous market research for insights-based communications in China campaign by MSLGROUP China in the Retailer category;
• Gold SABRE Award for Project with a Heart for SBUT by MSLGROUP India in the Public Affairs Campaign of the Year category;
• In2 SABRE Awards for The Power of the Crowd: 700Bike’s Backstreet MINI digital campaign by MSLGROUP China in the Brand Digital Platform category.

With more than 5,000 entries each year, the SABRE Awards provide a premier showcase for the best  that the communications industry has to offer. These accolades add to an unprecedented haul of award wins that MSLGROUP in Asia has received during 2016, including Asia Pacific Agency Network of the Year by PRWeek, PR Agency of the Year and 26 campaign awards by the International Business Awards, and10 Asia Pacific Stevie Awards.