Morgan Stanley hires Lansons for retail PR

US investment bank Morgan Stanley Dean Witter has appointed Lansons

Communications to handle PR for its first move into the retail

investment market.

The banking group has become the first UK fund manager to launch a range

of global unit trust products without an initial charge. Lansons was

appointed after a competitive pitch and the consultancy is believed to

be receiving fees which run into six-figures.

Richard Brereton, executive director of European sales and marketing at

Morgan Stanley said: ’We have discovered the best way to enter into a

new market is by offering something a little different. We want to draw

investors’ attention to a new concept in investing, with no initial

set-up charge.

’In essence every pound invested goes to work for you straight away,’ he

continued.

Hannily Hardman, account manager at Lansons, said the agency would focus

on raising awareness of the funds among retail investors. Morgan Stanley

claims the funds will create greater transparency and lower charges for

private investors. Customers must invest a minimum of pounds 5,000, at

least pounds 1,000 of which must be invested in the first year.

Mo gan Stanley Dean Witter was formed in 1997 following a merger between

investment bank Morgan Stanley and retail broker Dean Witter

Discover.

The company’s turnover for 1997 was around pounds 17 billion.

Lansons also retains Bank of Ireland, Churchill Insurance, Commercial

Union and NatWest Stockbrokers.