-- Reputation Management for the Next Billion 

     Fleishman-Hillard International Communications today launched a specialist 
offering dedicated to engagement with the vast and globally dispersed Muslim 
consumer market. 

     (Photo: http://www.prnasia.com/sa/2012/07/18/20120718223737469840.html )
     (Photo: http://www.prnasia.com/sa/2012/07/18/20120718223605305701.html )

     Called Majlis - an Arabic term referring to an assembly for dialogue - the 
firm's new communications initiative has released a white paper entitled "The 
Next Billion, The Market Opportunity of the Muslim World" in which authors 
Yusuf Hatia and Dr. Paul Temporal point out that companies are overlooking a 
vista of opportunity presented by a diverse world population of nearly 1.8 
billion Muslim consumers. 

     Fleishman-Hillard Majlis was created to empower corporations that are 
increasingly asking for reputation management and counsel on how to best engage 
this growing market, which is unified by distinctive values and codes of 
conduct.  

     Yusuf Hatia, Fleishman-Hillard Majlis lead and managing director of client 
services, Fleishman-Hillard India, said, "Nearly 20 percent of the world's 
population is Muslim and organizations are already looking at how they can 
engage with this fast-growing market. Fleishman-Hillard Majlis provides 
companies with a sounding board and solid advice on how to best engage with 
Muslim communities, which apply a disciplined set of moral principles when 
making purchases."

     Hatia is a strategic corporate counselor holding more than 15 years' 
experience in communications consulting, having served blue-chip companies, as 
well as government, healthcare and other organizations, in the UK, Middle East 
and India. 

     Fleishman-Hillard Majlis adds to a number of existing multicultural 
initiatives created by Fleishman-Hillard, and reinforces the firm's commitment 
to helping clients communicate effectively with a rich diversity of audiences 
around the world.

     Demographically, the market created by Muslims is in the corporate world's 
"sweet spot" because it is giving rise to an enormous emerging middle class, of 
which a high proportion is relatively young - nearly half of the global Muslim 
population is under the age of 25. 

     Addressing this huge opportunity will require companies to engage 
knowledgeably and sensitively in areas such as Islamic finance and Halal 
certification via the media, social networking and corporate reputation 
building.

     Dr. Paul Temporal, author of "Islamic Branding and Marketing: Creating a 
Global Islamic Business" said: "The overall challenge for companies and brands 
is how to form a relationship with all audiences that self-identify with Muslim 
values, while not disengaging other audiences."

     He added: "Listening and self-auditing is a starting point, but then it 
needs to be married to a true understanding and education around the 
community's values and the brand's values."

     Fleishman-Hillard Majlis combines the skills of seasoned communications 
professionals with experience in Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Europe and 
North America and offers a rich mix of consulting services ranging from 
listening audits and workshops to issues management and reputation building.

     Download the white paper, "The Next Billion, The Market Opportunity of the 
Muslim World", at http://www.majlisglobal.com.

     About Fleishman-Hillard

     Fleishman-Hillard Inc., one of the world's leading strategic 
communications firms, has built its reputation on creating integrated solutions 
that deliver what its clients value most: meaningful, positive and measurable 
impact on the performance of their organizations. The firm is widely recognized 
for excellent client service and a strong company culture founded on teamwork, 
integrity and personal commitment. Based in St. Louis, the firm operates 
throughout North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa and Latin 
America through its 80 owned offices. For more information, visit the 
Fleishman-Hillard website at www.fleishmanhillard.com. Fleishman-Hillard is a 
part of Diversified Agency Services, a division of Omnicom Group Inc. 

     About Diversified Agency Services

     Diversified Agency Services (DAS), a division of Omnicom Group Inc. 
(NYSE:OMC) (www.omnicomgroup.com), manages Omnicom's holdings in a variety of 
marketing communications disciplines. DAS includes over 200 companies, which 
operate through a combination of networks and regional organizations, serving 
international and local clients through more than 700 offices in 71 countries.

     About Omnicom Group Inc.

     Omnicom Group Inc. (www.omnicomgroup.com) is a leading global marketing 
and corporate communications company. Omnicom's branded networks and numerous 
specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, 
digital and interactive marketing, direct and promotional marketing, public 
relations and other specialty communications services to over 5,000 clients in 
more than 100 countries.

     SOURCE:  Fleishman-Hillard Inc.