Bates CHI looks to leverage media agency M/SIX launch, drive integration advantage

London-headqurtered media agency M/SIX, a GroupM joint venture with CHI & Partners, is looking to launch in India in early 2014. A formal announcement on the launch of M/SIX in the country, born MCHI in January 2009 in the UK, is expected shortly.

The agency was in the news in August 2013, for expanding its footprint into North America with an office in New York. More recently, it set up shop in Malaysia, signalling its intent to expand into Asia.

Confirming the foray into India, a senior GroupM executive explained that the talks have been on for some time between the WPP media behemoth and Bates CHI & Partners.

M/SIX will handle clients as a standalone media agency under GroupM, and also offer the advantage of integrated solutions in partnership with Bates CHI & Partners, the executive said.

The hunt is on for a person to head the India operations, said Sanjay Thapar, group CEO, Bates CHI & Partners India. 

“It is an extension of the model that operates in London at M/SIX, where the advantage of partnership - with media and creative integration - will be made available to clients. Increasingly, clients are looking at an integrated solution and this is evident in the Indian market,” said Thapar.

Talks are on about how the entity will operate in India. A ‘next door’ structure with shared spaces for collaboration is being explored. M/SIX is likely to commence operations from Mumbai and Delhi thereafter.

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