iMARS
iMARS is a Moscow-based full-service Russian communications group founded in 2001 that delivers PR, event management, digital marketing, ATL/BTL advertising, and branding to enterprise and government clients across twelve verticals, with a specialized China market entry practice operated through its Beijing subsidiary YI MEI XING.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersMoscow, Russia
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What iMARS does
iMARS (Коммуникационная группа Аймарс) is a Russian full-service communications group founded in 2001 and headquartered in Moscow at ul. Fridrikha Engelsa, d. 75, str. 11, Business Center "Palmira" (Palmira). The company delivers an integrated suite of marketing communications services spanning public relations (corporate, product, B2B/B2C/C2C, media relations, blogger relations, GR/NGO, crisis, CSR, international communications, media monitoring, expert relations), event management (B2B conferences, corporate events, press events, exhibitions, mass events), ATL/BTL advertising (media planning and placement, outdoor, TV, transport, POS, sponsorship integration), digital services (social media, SEO, viral marketing, video and web production), analytics/research, and branding (concept, naming, brand book, logo, corporate identity). Its underlying technology is a conventional communications stack built on Chinese social media platform management (WeChat, Weibo, Lofter), media monitoring and blogosphere analytics, KOL/influencer relationship workflows, and crisis communications tooling — there is no disclosed proprietary platform, API, SDK, or AI/ML pipeline.
The company serves enterprise and government clients across twelve primary verticals: financial services, construction and development, fashion/beauty/health, electronics and household appliances, energy (oil, gas, nuclear, electric power), industrial (metals, chemicals, manufacturing), transport and logistics, cinema and entertainment, government and public institutions, retail, FMCG, and a specialized "Russian Exporters to China" segment. Named enterprise clients include Rosneft, Rosatom, Rosseti, FSK EES, SUEK, RUSAL, SIBUR, Mostotrest, Gazprombank, Rosselkhozbank, BINBank, Russkiy Standard Bank, RosEximBank, EXAR, RZD, Moscow Metro, X5 Retail Group, MediaMarkt, Unilever, Heineken, Amway, Herbalife, AVON, Miele, Electrolux, Korting, Rostourism, and the Moscow Government, among others. Distribution is executed through direct enterprise field sales and tender participation, supplemented by a network of 25+ international partner agencies covering India, MENA, Sub-Saharan Africa, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and Latin America.
The business model is professional services revenue on a project and retainer basis; pricing is not publicly disclosed and contracts are quoted per engagement. The company is privately held with no disclosed funding rounds or external investors, operating under a founder/management-controlled ownership structure. Leadership includes President Dmitry Budanov, Managing Partner Elena Groznaya, Executive Director of iMARS Media Alexander Revsky, and Director of Strategy Artem Pronyushkin. The China subsidiary YI MEI XING (Beijing) Public Relations Consultant Ltd. operates from Building 1, No. 15, Guanghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing. The firm also maintains seven Russian regional representations in Saint Petersburg, Sochi, Stavropol, Samara, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, and Khabarovsk.
iMARS firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- iMARS
- Legal name
- iMARS
- Website
- https://imars.ru
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- iMARS is a Moscow-based full-service Russian communications group founded in 2001 that delivers PR, event management, digital marketing, ATL/BTL advertising, and branding to enterprise and government clients across twelve verticals, with a specialized China market entry practice operated through its Beijing subsidiary YI MEI XING.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
iMARS industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Marketing Communications Services
- NAICS
- Public Relations Agencies (541820), Advertising Agencies (541810), Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services (5418)
- SIC
- Services-Advertising Agencies (7311), Services-Advertising (7310)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Reputation Management & Online PR (BPAFADAN)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Brand Strategy & Identity Systems (MPAAAEAA)
Keywords
Where iMARS is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Moscow
- HQ country
- Russia
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices9 records
Markets served
iMARS business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- PR and Communications Services: Full range of PR services including corporate PR, product PR, B2B and B2C communications, media relations, blogger relations, GR and NGO relations, crisis communications, CSR communications, international communications, media monitoring, and expert relations
- Event Management: Business and industry conferences, B2B events, corporate events, press events, client events, exhibitions in Russia and abroad, mass events, city celebrations
- ATL and BTL Advertising: Media analytics, media planning and placement, advertising campaigns in Russia and abroad, outdoor advertising and TV, product placement, transport and POS advertising, sponsor integration, promo campaigns
- Digital Services: Social media management, SEO, viral marketing, creative services, video production, web production
- Analytics and Consulting: Industry reviews and media research in Russia and international markets, strategic consulting and planning
- Branding: Brand concept, naming, brand book, logo, corporate style implementation strategy
- China Market Entry Services: Specialized services for Russian exporters entering Chinese market, including communications support, e-commerce promotion, and market positioning
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
iMARS product offering
Product offeringCore offering
iMARS is a Russian communications group founded in 2001 that delivers full-service marketing communications to enterprise clients across Russia and international markets. Its core offerings span six practice areas: PR (corporate, product, B2B/B2C, media and blogger relations, crisis, international communications), Event Management (conferences, B2B events, exhibitions, corporate and press events), ATL/BTL advertising (media planning and placement, outdoor, TV, product placement, POS, sponsorship), Digital Services (social media, SEO, viral marketing, video and web production), Analytics and Research (industry reviews, media research, strategic consulting), and Branding (naming, brand book, logo, corporate identity). A specialized China Market Export Solutions practice, operated through its Beijing subsidiary YI MEI XING, supports Russian exporters entering the Chinese market via WeChat/Weibo management, e-commerce promotion, media engagement, KOL relations, and localization.
Product overview
iMARS is a leading Russian communications group offering a comprehensive suite of marketing communications services including PR (corporate, product, international, crisis), event management, ATL/BTL advertising, digital marketing (social media, SEO, video/web production), analytics/research, and branding. The company also operates a dedicated China market practice through its subsidiary YI MEI XING in Beijing, providing specialized export solutions for Russian companies entering the Chinese market including digital infrastructure, e-commerce promotion, media relations, and KOL engagement. The portfolio is organized around six core service lines (PR, Events, ATL/BTL, Digital, Analytics, Branding) supplemented by a China-focused practice offering end-to-end market entry support.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- YI MEI XING (Beijing) Public Relations Consultant Ltd. iMARS subsidiary in China providing PR, SMM, advertising, and event management services for Chinese market
Products and services
- PR Services
- Event Management
- ATL and BTL Services
- Digital Services
- Analytics and Research
- Branding
- China Market Export Solutions
Quantifiable outcome
- 99% positive tone in media and social media mentions for Absolut Vodka China campaign
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use iMARS
Customer profileNamed customers31 records
Segments12 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
iMARS technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
iMARS partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered major and minor.
- Russian Export Center (RЕС)majorConducted seminar on communications opportunities for Russian exporters in China with support of Russian Export Center. iMARS experts presented analysis of Chinese market from communications perspective and successful/failed promotion cases.
- BUZZ CommunicationsmajorOne of the leading Indian communications agencies offering wide range of services (advertising, PR and marketing communications, digital, event management). BUZZ Communications is in top 10 PR agencies in India.
- IntegralmajorCommunications and consulting agency. Consistently ranks among top 250 PR agencies in the world according to ICCO and Holmes Report rankings.
- Adfactors PRmajorLargest Indian communications agency providing comprehensive marketing communications services: corporate and product PR, media campaign development and implementation, crisis communications, IPO preparation and launch support. As of 2015, nearly 500 employees. Ranked 87th in Top 100 largest PR agencies in the world by Holmes Report.
- SPRG (Strategic Public Relations Group)majorLargest PR agency in Hong Kong and leader in IPO/IR and marketing communications. Services include IPO/IR, corporate and financial communications, marketing communications and branding, product PR and event organization, crisis management.
- NextViewminorFull-cycle advertising agency founded in 2013. Offers wide range of marketing and advertising services including market research, promotion, consulting, video and audio production, media planning and placement on TV and radio, print advertising, exhibition organization, presentations and corporate events.
- Total Advertising GroupminorFirst cross-functional full-cycle agency in Republic of Tajikistan.
- Al NasherminorFull-cycle communications agency providing advertising, public relations and marketing services. Offices in Ramallah, Amman and Dubai. Company operating since 1990.
- TRACCSmajorLargest independent PR agency in Middle East and North Africa with more than 200 specialists in 14 countries. Network includes offices in Jeddah, Riyadh, Dubai, Kuwait, Doha, Muscat, Manama, Cairo, Beirut, Amman, Damascus, Marrakech with branches in Istanbul, Tunis and Algiers.
- RASHED KANCHAN CORPORATIONminorMarketing and communications agency founded by famous Bangladeshi TV presenter and journalist Rashed Kanchan. Key competencies include multichannel communications and PR, advertising placement, event organization and media coverage. Agency has received ISLQ Award for quality leadership.
- AVESTAminorFull-cycle advertising agency, affiliate of international advertising agency GREY WORLDWIDE. Operating effectively in Uzbekistan advertising and marketing services market for more than 15 years. Main strategic goal is providing advertising services meeting modern international standards.
- NuevaminorDevelops and implements communication strategies in 360-degree format. Services include consulting, PR, advertising, market research, event organization, branding, digital.
- REDDERminorIndependent advertising agency providing marketing communications solutions for leading international and local brands in Vietnam. Prestigious awards including Silver Prize in PR Company of the Year in Southeast Asia at PRWeek Awards Asia 2015.
- PRCI.StorytellersminorYoung and ambitious agency united by passion for communications, desire to provide best service and commitment to continuous self-development.
- NoosphereminorSmart business solutions: PR, SMM, crisis response and more. Online and offline promotion.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
iMARS competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Burson (BCW): Large global communications group (WPP) with corporate, consumer, and digital PR practices; a direct competitor for enterprise and multinational mandates that iMARS also targets.
- Ketchum (rebranded to Masher in Russia): Major global PR brand with a Moscow office under the Masher banner; competes head-to-head with iMARS for multinational clients in Russia and offers an analogous full-service communications proposition.
- Edelman: Largest global PR firm with a long-standing Russia presence; offers the same full-service communications stack (corporate, crisis, digital, brand) iMARS sells, but as part of a global network rather than a Russia-centric practice.
- Fleishman-Hillard: Global PR/communications network (Omnicom) with Russian operations, competing for the same multinational and large Russian enterprise accounts with overlapping capabilities in corporate communications, crisis, and digital.
- Weber Shandwick: Global public relations and communications agency (IPG) with a Russia footprint, offering comparable integrated PR, digital, and events services to large enterprise and government clients.
Regional players
- BUZZ Communications: Top-10 Indian communications agency listed as an iMARS partner; runs an analogous full-service model (advertising, PR, digital, events) for Indian clients — functionally a peer to iMARS in its home market.
- TRACCS: Largest independent PR network across the Middle East and North Africa and an iMARS partner; comparable full-service communications operator active across multiple regional markets.
- Strategic Public Relations Group (SPRG): Largest Hong Kong-based PR agency and an iMARS partner; offers the same full-service stack including IPO/IR, corporate and financial communications, branding and crisis — comparable to iMARS but focused on Greater China and Asia.
Direct peers
- Mikhailov & Partners: One of the longest-standing independent Russian communications consultancies, founded in the 1990s, serving large Russian corporates and government clients with PR, GR, and public affairs — directly comparable to iMARS' core Russian enterprise PR practice.
- Adfactors PR: Largest PR firm in India and a listed iMARS partner; operates a near-identical full-service, multi-vertical communications model with corporate PR, crisis, events, digital, and IPO/IR practices — the closest analog to iMARS in another major emerging market.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
iMARS social profiles
Digital presenceiMARS financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
iMARS leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
iMARS subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
iMARS funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
iMARS M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about iMARS
What does iMARS do?
iMARS is a Russian communications group founded in 2001 that delivers full-service marketing communications to enterprise clients across Russia and international markets. Its core offerings span six practice areas: PR (corporate, product, B2B/B2C, media and blogger relations, crisis, international communications), Event Management (conferences, B2B events, exhibitions, corporate and press events), ATL/BTL advertising (media planning and placement, outdoor, TV, product placement, POS, sponsorship), Digital Services (social media, SEO, viral marketing, video and web production), Analytics and Research (industry reviews, media research, strategic consulting), and Branding (naming, brand book, logo, corporate identity). A specialized China Market Export Solutions practice, operated through its Beijing subsidiary YI MEI XING, supports Russian exporters entering the Chinese market via WeChat/Weibo management, e-commerce promotion, media engagement, KOL relations, and localization.
Is iMARS a public or private company?
iMARS is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was iMARS founded?
iMARS was founded in 2001. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is iMARS based?
iMARS is headquartered in Moscow, Russia, in the Europe region.
How does iMARS make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. PR and Communications Services are the primary driver. The others are event Management, ATL and BTL Advertising, digital Services, analytics and Consulting, branding and china Market Entry Services.
Who are iMARS's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Burson (BCW), Ketchum (rebranded to Masher in Russia), Edelman, Fleishman-Hillard and Weber Shandwick. Regional players are BUZZ Communications, TRACCS and Strategic Public Relations Group (SPRG). Direct peers are Mikhailov & Partners and Adfactors PR.
Does iMARS have an API?
No public API is recorded for iMARS.
What industry is iMARS in?
iMARS's product category is Marketing Communications Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAFADAN, Reputation Management & Online PR, with a secondary code of MPAAAEAA, Brand Strategy & Identity Systems. Its NAICS code is 541820 and its SIC code is 7311.