Manning Selvage & Lee (MS&L) is forging ahead with its European expansion. Together with the Nordics’ leading communication advisor JKL Group (JKL), MS&L is creating a new Public Affairs division in Europe, and has appointed Peter Steere as Head of Public Affairs for MS&L Europe.

“Our customers are increasingly requesting counsel for government relations and public affairs,” says Anders Kempe, President of MS&L Europe. “Our mission is to be indispensable for our customers. In order to succeed, we need to strengthen MS&L’s public affairs services in the region.”

Peter Steere, who was recently recruited from JKL to be the director of strategic communications for Europe, Middle East and Africa for APCO Worldwide, is now being re-recruited to the influential position as Head of Public Affairs MS&L Europe.

“Peter has extensive knowledge of a variety of national and international issues impacting the region,” says Anders Kempe. “He has a lot of experience and understanding for communicating complex business issues and market dynamics to a wide range of stakeholders. His experience in leading public affairs assignments on behalf of clients in many different industries will further specialize services in the region. In addition, Peter has a dynamic background in strategic communication because he has worked with such a broad spectrum of industries - advanced technology, telecom, finance, consumer electronics, energy and heavy industry. This will enhance the value for both existing and new clients.”

Based in Brussels, Steere will run the public affairs practice in Europe, working with clients who operate in the international marketplace. He plans to firmly establish MS&L as a European specialist in public affairs.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity. By uniting MS&L and JKL’s strengths we can really enhance our corporate communication and public affairs services in the whole region. I look forward to working together with the exceptional group of people at MS&L and JKL. Priority number one is to solidly establish our services and grow in Brussels - we will assist existing and new clients in navigating the complex regulatory and communication environment in Brussels,” said Steere.

Steere will work closely with the MS&L staff in London, Paris, Frankfurt and Milan to strengthen ties and develop MS&L’s services across Europe.

For more information, please contact:
Anders Kempe, President MS&L Europe phone: +46 (0)8-696 12 00
Peter Steere +32 477961178



About Manning Selvage & Lee
MS&L is one of the world's leading global public relations firms. We achieve our mission - to be more important to our clients - by delivering world class media relations, acting as partners and advisors, powering clients' businesses with proven methods and tools for strategic planning, corporate and product branding, corporate reputation, crisis management, and stakeholder relations. MS&L is the winner of the 2006 PRWeek PR Innovation of the Year and Best Use of the Internet awards.
MS&L is a member of the Publicis Groupe SA (Euronext Paris: 13057, NYSE: PUB). Its activities span 109 countries on six continents and include advertising, marketing services, media counsel and buying, media sales and specialized communications. For more information, visit www.publicis.com

About JKL Group
JKL Group is one of the Nordic region’s leading strategic communication advisors, with offices in Stockholm, Oslo, Copenhagen, Helsinki and Gothenburg. JKL Group also includes the global PR network MS&L’s Nordic offices in Stockholm and Oslo. For the fiscal year 2005, JKL Group had revenues of Euro 16 million and 100 employees. JKL Group is owned by Publicis Groupe S. A.

For more information, please visit www.jklgroup.com