SAN FRANCISCO, May 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- MSL San Francisco today announced that it has been selected by Ancestry.com, the world's largest online family history resource, as its consumer and social media agency. MSL San Francisco will work with Ancestry.com to lead consumer outreach within the United States, including introducing new historical collections, increasing brand reputation and enhancing the company's social media presence.

Ancestry.com has been the leader in the family history market for more than 20 years and has helped pioneer the market for online family history research. With more than 6 billion records available, Ancestry.com offers smart search technology, a wealth of learning resources and a worldwide community of family history enthusiasts to help users discover their roots and unique family stories.

"After a thorough agency search, we believed that MSLGROUP best understood our needs and had the right resources to deliver on our objectives," said Simon Ziviani, Global Director for Public Relations at Ancestry.com. "The team provides sound, strategic counsel while constantly introducing creative ideas and innovative approaches to our key audiences that will drive results. Their passion for our business shows every day, and we are confident that this collaboration will enable us to achieve our goals."

Matthew Gardner, managing director of MSL San Francisco, said: "Like Ancestry.com, at MSLGROUP, we utilize creativity and innovative channels to connect with people in unique ways. We are thrilled to bring our deep heritage and expertise in consumer marketing, including industry and media relationships, to bear for Ancestry.com."

About Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com)

Ancestry.com Inc. (Nasdaq:ACOM) is the world's largest online family history resource, with more than 1.6 million paying subscribers. More than 6 billion records have been added to the site in the past 14 years. Ancestry users have created more than 24 million family trees containing over 2.4 billion profiles. Ancestry.com has local Web sites directed at nine countries that help people discover, preserve and share their family history, including its flagship Web site at www.ancestry.com.

About MSLGROUP

MSLGROUP is Publicis Groupe's flagship PR, specialty communications and events network, ranking in the world's top 5 such networks. With more than 2,500 people, its offices span 22 countries. Adding affiliates and partners into the equation, MSLGROUP's reach increases to 4,000 employees in 83 countries. MSLGROUP teams provide expertise in virtually every communications discipline--from social media and consumer PR to financial and employee communications. The group offers strategic planning and counsel, insight-guided thinking and big, compelling ideas - followed by thorough execution. Learn more about us at: www.mslgroup.com + http://blog.mslgroup.com + Twitter + YouTube.

ABOUT PUBLICIS GROUPE

Publicis Groupe [listed on the Euronext Paris Exchange - FR0000130577 - and part of the CAC 40 index] is the world's third largest communications group. With activities spanning 104 countries on five continents, Publicis Groupe offers local and international clients a complete range of advertising services through three global advertising networks, Leo Burnett, Publicis, Saatchi & Saatchi, and numerous agencies including Fallon, 49%-owned Bartle Bogle Hegarty, and Kaplan Thaler Group. VivaKi combines digital and media expertise, allowing to connect with consumers in a holistic way, with Starcom MediaVest Group and ZenithOptimedia worldwide media networks; and interactive and digital marketing led by Digitas and Razorfish networks. VivaKi develops new services, tools, and next generation digital platforms. Publicis Groupe's specialized agencies and marketing services offer healthcare communications with Publicis Healthcare Communications Group (PHCG, the first network in healthcare communications), sustainability communications and multicultural communications. With MSLGROUP, one of the world's top five PR and Events networks, expertise ranges from corporate and financial communications to public relations and public affairs, branding, social media marketing and events. www.publicisgroupe.com

Brian Baker
MSLGROUP
(415) 293-2363
brian.baker@mslgroup.com

SOURCE MSLGROUP