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The move is part of the Havas chairman Alain de Pouzilhac's drive to help MPG break into the top five global media networks by the end of the year.

The Austrian office will be headed by Tina Kasperer. Kasperer was formerly the managing director of OMD Austria. She has also worked for the CIA network, where she was responsible for central Europe and Austria.

MPG Austria will partner with the country's biggest independent media agency, Media Austria.

The network has also decided to capitalise on its recent $1.5 million Reckitt Benckiser win in Romania by setting up a new office there. MPG Romania is a joint venture between MPG and the creative agency Euro Romania.

Ampelio Plaza Mayor, the new markets development manager of MPG, said: "The incorporation of MPG Romania to our network gives us access to the growing Romanian market. This will help us consolidate our presence in eastern Europe."

In the Czech Republic, the network has reached an affiliate agreement with Medea, the only independent media agency in the region, which will allow MPG to offer services in the market. In addition, Media Contacts, the interactive division of MPG, is launching in Germany.

The expansion programme comes a week after Bob Offen vacated the role of chief executive of the network's UK division to focus on MPG's global operations. He was replaced by Marc Mendoza.