Ketchum (Worldwide)

Ketchum is a global public relations network sitting within the Omnicom portfolio. It was formed in 2009 from the merger of the Ketchum PR agency, based mainly in the US, with sister network Pleon, operating in Germany and other European markets. The combined agency adopted the name Ketchum Pleon in most European markets until 2012. Only Germany now retains the Pleon tag, while Australia has Ketchum Publico and Russia Ketchum Maslov. The network operates in 70 countries through over 100 offices and affiliates. Industry watcher The Holmes Report estimated fee income of $385m in 2011; Ad Age estimated $415m for 2012. The agency was named US Agency of the Year for 2012 by PRWeek. Ray Kotcher is chairman; Rob Flaherty is CEO. The Ketchum name dates back to the early 1920s when it was founded in Pittsburgh by George Ketchum and two partners. For much of the next 60 years it was known as KM&G, until adopting the Ketchum Communications title in the mid-1980s. It was acquired by Omnicom in 1996. Pleon was created in Germany in 2003 from the merger of several European Omnicom-owned agencies, including BBDO Germany's Kohtes Klewes. It lost its lead as Germany's biggest PR agency in 2011 to Media Consulta. Adbrands does not currently profile this company but subscribers may access account assignments and contact information. The searchable account assignments database is available to full subscribers to Adbrands.net premium services. Click here to access Adbrands account assignments (subscribers only); or see here for information on how to subscribe.

Capsule checked 20th May 2013

See also Top Global Public Relations Agencies index

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