Four Communications acquires healthcare PR firm MSA Media

Four Communications has announced the acquisition of the UK-based healthcare media planning and buying agency MSA Media.

This marks Four Communications' fifth UK acquisition, part of an ambitious expansion effort by the company in the UK and internationally. Following the takeover, MSA will be renamed Four MSA and become part of the group's marketing and media operations.

MSA founder Emma Statham will join the operating board of Four Communications, while Ben Mansfield will become deputy managing director of Four MSA. The agency's 12 staff will join Four Communications' workforce of more than 230 staff in the UK and the Gulf.

The acquisition will take Four's revenues from combined operations in media planning and buying to 31 million pounds a year, with the group now expecting to deliver overall turnover of 50 million pounds a year.

Emma Statham, managing director of MSA Media, said: "Becoming part of the Four Communications Group will allow MSA to continue its international growth and to offer all clients the best possible support."

MSA was founded in 2004 and serves a client base that includes major brands such as Novartis, Macmillan and Bayer.