GCI establishes a Mexico presence

NEW YORK: GCI Group has acquired Gcom-Kaufmann, a PR firm based in Mexico.

GCI will merge its existing Mexican operation with Gcom to create GCI Mexico, headed by Gcom founder Oscar Kaufmann. Forty people will staff the newly combined offices in Mexico City.

Gcom was an affiliate of Manning Selvage & Lee from 1995 until 2000.

The acquisition will increase GCI's profile in Mexico. 'Historically, GCI's presence in Mexico has been in the marketing arena,' said Bob Feldman, president and CEO of GCI.

'GCI, together with Gcom-Kaufmann's expertise in corporate and issues management, will have a powerful full-service offering in the region,' Feldman said.

Kaufmann said the merger will enable the agency to move from the top 10 to the top five in the region.

GCI Group was ranked number 11 in PRWeek's Agency Rankings 2000 with an income of dollars 65.5 million, up 48% from the previous year. Acquisitions, including LA-based PFI Communications, accounted for 17% of the growth.

The agency is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Grey Global Group.

The agency's combined client list includes Michelin, Arvin/Meritor, Exportadora de Sal, the Mexican Secretariat of Commerce, Eli Lilly, Procter & Gamble, BF Goodrich, Gerber and Durex.

This article was first published on PR Week USA

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