Novartis, the Swiss pharmaceutical group formed by the merger of Ciba-
Geigy and Sandoz in April, is hunting for a PR agency to support the
planned spin-off of Ciba’s specialist chemicals division.
Specialising in the production of high performance chemicals such as
dyes, additives and polymers, Ciba Speciality Chemicals will be hived
off as an independent company in the first quarter of 1997. Shares in
the new firm will be listed on the Swiss stock exchange and transferred
to Novartis’ existing shareholders.
Ciba is looking for an agency to help create a corporate profile for
Ciba Speciality Chemicals and give hands on support during and
immediately after the new company’s launch.
Kai Romot, head of communications for the Speciality Chemicals division,
confirmed that Ciba had seen credentials from several agencies, but she
remained vague about a likely brief and even whether an appointment
would be made at all. ‘We have asked several companies to come up with
ideas and we have had quite a few agencies come to see us,’ she said.
However, sources claim that the recruitment process is much further
advanced and has been narrowed down to a shortlist of three agencies,
including Burson-Marsteller and Dewe Rogerson.
Novartis has yet to decide which agency it will choose to manage
financial PR and investor relations. Sandoz uses Gavin Anderson while
Ciba retains Dewe Rogerson. A decision will probably be made later this
autumn, assuming the merger is granted approval from the US Federal
Trade Commission.
