SYDNEY — Publicis Communications is launching the MSL brand in Australia after acquiring The Herd Agency, which includes N2N Communications, Fuel Communications, and Touch Creative.

The group, one of Australia's largest PR offerings, will be rebranded Herd MSL. According to the Holmes Report's Global 250, Herd grew 2% in 2016 to $5.1m in fee income, ranking it 224th among the world's PR firms.

Herd's 55 professionals will remain led by founder Jamie Verco and CEO Vanessa Liell along with agency heads Katarina Farrell (N2N Communications), Stuart Wragg (Fuel Communications) and Lewis Shields (Touch Creative), reporting to Publicis Communications Australia CEO Michael Rebelo.

Founded in 1996, Herd's clients include the Australian Government, Airbnb, American Express, Facebook, Salesforce and Schneider Electric. The group's agencies span strategy, corporate affairs, earned media, stakeholder relations, integrated campaigns, issues and crisis management, social media and content marketing.

"We are thrilled to bring the MSL brand to Australia with one of the most dynamic agencies in the entire Asia Pacific region," said MSLGroup CEO Guillaume Herbette. "Our outstanding new colleagues will fit right into our diverse network, as we together strive to build influence and deliver impact for our clients."