Ketchum Inc.

{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2025}} {{Use American English|date=October 2025}} {{Short description|American public relations firm}} {{Other uses|Ketchum (disambiguation){{!}}Ketchum}} {{Infobox company | name = Ketchum Inc. | logo = Ketchum logo.png | caption = | trading_name =  | native_name =  | type = Subsidiary | traded_as = | industry = Public relations and advertising | genre =  | fate = | predecessor = | successor = | foundation = {{start date and age|1923}}<br>Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. | founder = George Ketchum | defunct =  | location_city = New York City | location_country = U.S. | locations = | area_served = | key_people = Tamara Norman (US CEO) Jo-ann Robertson (CEO of Global Markets) Mike Doyle (former president and CEO) | products = | production = | services = | revenue = | operating_income = | net_income = | aum =  | assets = | equity = | owner = | num_employees = | parent = Omnicom Group | divisions = | subsid = | homepage = {{URL|ketchum.com}} | footnotes = | intl = }}

'''Ketchum Inc.''' is a global public relations firm, offering marketing, branding, and corporate communications services in the corporate, healthcare, food and beverage, and technology industries.<ref name=toppr>{{cite web |url=http://www.prnewsonline.com/featured/2012/11/29/2012-top-places-to-work-in-pr-ketchum-inc/ |title=2012 Top Places to Work in PR: Ketchum Inc. |publisher=PRNews |date=November 29, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310120326/http://www.prnewsonline.com/featured/2012/11/29/2012-top-places-to-work-in-pr-ketchum-inc/ |archive-date=March 10, 2014 }}</ref> George Ketchum founded the firm as a Pittsburgh-based advertising company in 1923. It later evolved to include a public relations practice. The firm is headquartered in New York City, with auxiliary offices and affiliates in North America, EMEA, Asia Pacific, and Latin America.<ref>[https://www.corporations.state.pa.us/corp/soskb/Corp.asp?176326 "Ketchum Communications"]{{Dead link|date=February 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Pennsylvania Department of State</ref> The agency has been owned by Omnicom Group since 1996.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Google News Archive Search |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=D-dRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=wG8DAAAAIBAJ&dq=ketchum%20pittsburgh&pg=4153,4794960 |access-date=2025-12-23 |website=news.google.com}}</ref>

==History== The agency that would become Ketchum was founded as '''Ketchum and MacLeod''' in Pittsburgh on May 22, 1923.<ref name=Hazley13/> The agency's name was changed to '''Ketchum, MacLeod & Grove''' in 1924. It was led by brothers George and Carlton Ketchum, and Norman McLeod and Robert Grove, whom the brothers met at University of Pittsburgh in the 1910s.<ref name=Vondas76>{{cite news |title=City's 'Horatio Alger' Recalls Past |author=Jerry Vondas |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2WsqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=QFcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5912%2C2988679 |work=Pittsburgh Press |date=October 8, 1976 |access-date=24 May 2016}}</ref> The agency's early work focused on advertising, publicity, and fundraising.<ref name=Hazley13>{{cite news |title=Ketchum Marks 90 Years |author=Greg Hazley|url=http://www.odwyerpr.com/story/public/573/2013-05-22/ketchum-marks-90-years.html |work=O'Dwyer's |date=May 22, 2013 |access-date=24 May 2016}}</ref>

In 1934 the agency established a public relations department. The department's first assignment was a campaign for Natural Gas Companies, People's Natural Gas, and other local natural gas companies.<ref name=Hazley13/> The agency received national attention in 1951 when it orchestrated a sponsorship for client Westinghouse of the first nationally televised NCAA football game.<ref name=Hazley13/> As the firm's billings grew in the late 1950s, it opened offices in New York City and Washington, D.C.<ref name=Hazley13/> It acquired west coast-based agency Botsford Constantine & McCarty, forming '''Botsford-Ketchum''' in 1969.<ref name="AdAge03">{{cite news |date=September 15, 2003 |title=Ketchum, MacLeod & Grove |url=http://adage.com/article/adage-encyclopedia/ketchum-macleod-grove/98736/ |access-date=26 May 2016 |work=Advertising Age}}</ref>

George Ketchum died in September 1975.<ref name=AdAge03/> The agency changed its name to '''Ketchum Communications Inc.''' in 1981.<ref name=Hazley13/> Its major divisions became known as Ketchum Advertising, Ketchum Public Relations, and Ketchum Directory Advertising.<ref name=AdAge03/> Ketchum Public Relations moved its headquarters to New York from Pittsburgh in 1982.<ref name=DoughertyMay85>{{cite news |title=Ketchum Continues To Grow |author=Philip H. Dougherty |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/05/21/business/advertising-ketchum-continues-to-grow.html |work=The New York Times |date=May 21, 1985 |access-date=24 May 2016}}</ref>

The agency won its first global account (with FedEx) and its first pan-European account (with Whirlpool) in 1994.{{Needs citation|date=August 2024}} In 1996, Ketchum handled the Torch relay for the Atlanta Olympics.<ref name=Hazley13/>

In 2016, Ketchum created "Cultivate", a new branch to help companies and organizations in organic food markets.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stacy-malkan/pr-firm-attacks-organic-food-then-pitches-itself-to-organic-companies_b_9462308.html | title=PR Firm Attacks Organic Food, Then Pitches Itself to Organic Companies | work=Huffington Post | date=14 March 2016 | access-date=10 September 2016 | author=Malkan, Stacy}}</ref>

In November 2017, Ketchum announced that then Partner and President Barri Rafferty would assume the role of president and chief executive officer, effective January 1, 2018. Rafferty is the first woman to lead a top five global public relations firm.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chalufour |first=Marc |date=1 September 2018 |title=A World of Influence |url=https://www.bu.edu/com/articles/a-world-of-influence/ |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=www.bu.edu |language=en}}</ref>

== Mergers and acquisitions == Omnicom Group acquired Ketchum in 1996.<ref name="Elliott96" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=11 January 1996 |title=Omnicom acquires Ketchum |url=https://adage.com/article/news/omnicom-acquires-ketchum/17638 |access-date=21 August 2024 |website=AdAge}}</ref> At the time, Ketchum was the 25th-largest American agency.<ref name="Elliott96">{{cite news |author=Stuart Elliott |date=January 11, 1996 |title=Advertising;Omnicom Agrees to Buy Ketchum Communications |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/01/11/business/the-media-business-advertising-omnicom-agrees-to-buy-ketchum-communications.html |access-date=24 May 2016 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> In 1998, Ketchum merged with British consumer agency Life PR.<ref name="Savitt99">{{cite news |author=Kathy Savitt |date=July 12, 1999 |title=EUROPEAN SURVEY: United Kingdom |url=http://www.prweek.com/article/1232244/european-survey-united-kingdom |access-date=24 May 2016 |work=PRWeek}}</ref> Ketchum sold Ketchum Advertising in 1999; the "Ketchum" name has referred solely to the PR practice since that time.<ref name="Tascarella99">{{cite news |author=Patty Tascarella |date=August 9, 1999 |title=Ketchum ends struggle with new name, owners |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/1999/08/09/story2.html |access-date=24 May 2016 |work=Pittsburgh Business Times}}</ref>

In the 2000s, Ketchum acquired several firms and opened others, including the acquisition of New York management consulting firm Stromberg Consulting in 2001,<ref name="Holmes01">{{cite news |author=Paul Holmes |date=April 8, 2001 |title=Ketchum Acquires Change Management Specialist |url=http://www.holmesreport.com/latest/article/ketchum-acquires-change-management-specialist |access-date=26 August 2016 |work=The Holmes Report}}</ref> the launching of influencer marketing and community building firm Emanate in 2006,<ref name="PRWeek07">{{cite news |date=April 23, 2007 |title=Ketchum: Agency Business Report 2007 |url=http://www.prweek.com/article/1257935/ketchum-agency-business-report-2007 |access-date=24 May 2016 |work=PRWeek}}</ref> and the acquisitions of clinical trial patient recruitment agency MMG in 2008,<ref name="PRWeek08">{{cite news |date=April 28, 2008 |title=Ketchum: Agency Business Report 2008 |url=http://www.prweek.com/article/1253029/ketchum-agency-business-report-2008 |access-date=24 May 2016 |work=PRWeek}}</ref> Moscow-based Maslov PR in 2010,<ref name="Garcia11">{{cite news |author=Tonya Garcia |date=January 5, 2011 |title=Ketchum Takes Majority Stake in Chinese Operations |url=http://www.adweek.com/prnewser/ketchum-takes-majority-stake-in-chinese-operations/13150 |access-date=24 May 2016 |work=Adweek}}</ref> Indian agency Sampark PR in 2011,<ref name="Reuters11">{{cite news |date=April 14, 2011 |title=Omnicom Group’s Ketchum acquires Sampark PR in India |url=http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-56335020110414 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411150853/http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-56335020110414 |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 11, 2016 |access-date=24 May 2016 |work=Reuters}}</ref> Capstrat in North Carolina in 2012,<ref name="Weisbecker13">{{cite news |author=Lee Weisbecker |date=January 9, 2013 |title=New York's Ketchum to acquire Raleigh's Capstrat |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2013/01/09/new-yorks-ketchum-to-acquire.html |access-date=24 May 2016 |work=Triangle Business Journal}}</ref> and German lifestyle and social media PR agency Brandzeichen in 2013.<ref name="Stein13">{{cite news |author=Lindsay Stein |date=June 7, 2013 |title=Ketchum acquires German firm Brandzeichen |url=http://www.prweek.com/article/1275534/ketchum-acquires-german-firm-brandzeichen |access-date=24 May 2016 |work=PRWeek}}</ref> Ketchum took a majority stake in Newscan's China operations in 2011,<ref name="Garcia11" /> expanded Ketchum Sports & Entertainment practice into Brazil in 2012,<ref name="Holmes12">{{cite news |date=March 31, 2012 |title=Ketchum Expands Sports Marketing Presence To Brazil |url=http://www.holmesreport.com/latest/article/ketchum-expands-sports-marketing-presence-to-brazil |access-date=24 May 2016 |work=The Holmes Report}}</ref> and acquired ICON International Communications in Singapore in 2013.<ref name="Lee13">{{cite news |author=Racheal Lee |date=November 12, 2013 |title=Ketchum acquires Icon Singapore |url=http://www.campaignasia.com/article/ketchum-acquires-icon-singapore/363862 |access-date=27 August 2016 |work=Campaign Asia-Pacific}}</ref> In the US, Ketchum partnered with luxury and lifestyle agency Harrison & Shriftman in 2011,<ref name="Drolet11">{{cite news |author=Danielle Drolet |date=July 22, 2011 |title=Ketchum forms strategic alliance with Harrison & Shriftman |url=http://www.prweek.com/article/1263749/ketchum-forms-strategic-alliance-harrison---shriftman#zPOm4fIEVfS4ed6l.99 |access-date=24 May 2016 |work=PRWeek}}</ref> and launched music marketing service Ketchum Sounds in 2012.<ref name="Hampp12">{{cite news |author=Andrew Hampp |date=November 27, 2012 |title=Ketchum Launches Music Division, Ketchum Sounds, With Snoop Dogg, One Direction Deals |url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/branding/1082918/ketchum-launches-music-division-ketchum-sounds-with-snoop-dogg |access-date=24 May 2016 |work=Billboard}}</ref>

Ketchum merged with Düsseldorf-based Pleon in one of the industry's largest mergers in 2009,<ref name="adage">{{cite news |url=http://adage.com/article/agency-news/advertising-agency-news-omnicom-merge-ketchum-pleon/137326/|title=Omnicom to Merge Ketchum, Pleon to Create Global Network|author=Bush, Michael|publisher=Ad Age|date=June 16, 2009}}</ref><ref name="Bush09">{{cite news |author=Michael Bush |date=June 16, 2009 |title=Omnicom to Merge Ketchum, Pleon to Create Global Network |url=http://adage.com/article/agency-news/advertising-agency-news-omnicom-merge-ketchum-pleon/137326/ |access-date=24 May 2016 |work=Advertising Age}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Adweek |date=2009-06-16 |title=Omnicom Merges Ketchum, Pleon PR Firms |url=https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/omnicom-merges-ketchum-pleon-pr-firms-99599/ |access-date=2024-09-20 |language=en-US}}</ref> and later merged with South Korea-based firm InComm Brodeur in 2013.<ref name="Sudhaman13">{{cite news |author=Arun Sudhaman |date=September 25, 2013 |title=Ketchum Launches In Korea Via InComm Brodeur Merger |url=http://www.holmesreport.com/latest/article/ketchum-launches-in-korea-via-incomm-brodeur-merger |access-date=24 May 2016 |work=The Holmes Report}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-09-25 |title=Omnicom's Ketchum Merges with InComm |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/omnicoms-ketchum-merges-incomm-170003125.html |access-date=2024-09-20 |website=Yahoo Finance |language=en-US}}</ref>

In February 2026, Omnicom Public Relations announced a restructuring of its portfolio, and as part of the changes, Ketchum and Golin, an agency owned by Interpublic Group (IPG), merged to form a combined global brand communications agency. The restructuring also included the integration of Porter Novelli into FleishmanHillard. According to Omnicom Public Relations, the changes were designed to create a more integrated communications organization while maintaining continuity for existing clients.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carmona |first=Aliza |date=2026-02-12 |title=Omnicom Public Relations restructures portfolio; Golin and Ketchum to merge |url=https://marketech-apac.com/omnicom-public-relations-restructures-portfolio-golin-and-ketchum-to-merge/ |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=MARKETECH APAC |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Major work == Ketchum's major clients include MasterCard,<ref name=James16>{{cite news |title=PRWeek Global Awards 2016: Winners revealed at London ceremony |author=Sam Burne James |url=http://www.prweek.com/article/1392937/prweek-global-awards-2016-winners-revealed-london-ceremony#6rZQyAp7eY2eksk0.99 |work=PRWeek |date=April 28, 2016 |access-date=19 May 2016}}</ref> Chase, IBM,<ref name=Sarno16>{{cite news |title=Who are the 5 Largest PR Firms in the World? |author=Aaron Sarno |url=http://everything-pr.com/largest-public-relations-firm-world/77891/ |work=Everything PR |date=February 11, 2016 |access-date=19 May 2016}}</ref> IKEA,<ref name=PRWeek09>{{cite news |title=PRWeek Campaign of the Year 2009 |url=http://www.prweek.com/article/1272861/prweek-campaign-year-2009 |work=PRWeek |date=March 6, 2009 |access-date=19 May 2016}}</ref> Philips,<ref name=BushMarch09>{{cite news |title=Philips Taps New Omnicom Unit for Global PR |author=Michael Bush |url=http://adage.com/article/agency-news/philips-taps-omnicom-unit-voice-global-pr/135065/ |work=Advertising Age |date=March 5, 2009 |access-date=19 May 2016}}</ref> and Pfizer.<ref name=James16 />

In 1985, Ketchum launched the Acura line of cars for American Honda Motor Company.<ref name=Dougherty85>{{cite news |title=Acura Car Account Goes to Ketchum Unit |author=Philip H. Dougherty |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/04/22/business/advertising-acura-car-account-goes-to-ketchum-unit.html |work=The New York Times |date=April 22, 1985 |access-date=26 May 2016}}</ref><ref name=Rechtin11>{{cite news |title=Acura's bargain birth |author=Mark Rechtin |url=http://www.autonews.com/article/20110502/RETAIL03/305029991/acuras-bargain-birth |work=Automotive News |date=May 2, 2011 |access-date=26 May 2016}}</ref> Ketchum also worked on the rebranding of Orville Redenbacher's popcorn in the 1990s to appeal to a younger demographic,<ref name=Elliott95>{{cite news |title=Sorry, Orville, but Redenbacher's new look |author=Stuart Elliott |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/07/17/business/media-business-advertising-sorry-orville-but-redenbacher-s-new-look-emphasizes.html |work=The New York Times |date=July 17, 1995 |access-date=26 May 2016}}</ref> developed Doritos' 2006 crowdsourced "Crash the Super Bowl" contest, which won a Golden World Award from the International Public Relations Association,<ref name=Murray16>{{cite news |title=25 Super Bowl commercials that explain Super Bowl commercials |author=Noel Murray |url=https://www.vox.com/2016/2/5/10922526/super-bowl-commercials-ads-explained |work=Vox |date=February 7, 2016 |access-date=26 May 2016}}</ref> and created a campaign for Delta Air Lines during US Airways' 2008 bid to take over the airline after it had filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy. US Airways later dropped the bid and the campaign won a Silver Anvil.<ref name=Holmes09>{{cite news |title=The Campaign to "Keep Delta My Delta" |author=Paul Holmes |url=http://www.holmesreport.com/latest/article/the-campaign-to-keep-delta-my-delta- |work=The Holmes Report |date=April 21, 2009 |access-date=24 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prsa.org/SearchResults/view/6BW-0806A02/0/SAYING_NO_TO_US_AIRWAYS_HOSTILE_TAKEOVER_BID_The_C#.V08CEJMrL-Y |title=SAYING NO! TO US AIRWAYS' HOSTILE TAKEOVER BID: The Campaign to Keep Delta My Delta |date=2008 |work=prsa.org |publisher=Public Relations Society of America |access-date=24 May 2016}}</ref> The agency has also worked with Kodak in 2010,<ref name=Elliott10>{{cite news |title=Modernizing the ‘Kodak Moment’ as Social Sharing |author=Stuart Elliott |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/26/business/media/26adco.html |work=The New York Times |date=April 25, 2010 |access-date=26 May 2016}}</ref> the Committee to Preserve Olympic Wrestling (CPOW)'s campaign to keep wrestling in the Olympic program,<ref name=Whiteside13>{{cite news |title=Wrestling had cash, charisma backing it in Olympic bid |author=Kelly Whiteside |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2013/09/08/why-wrestling-won-spot-olympics-2020/2783711/ |work=USA Today |date=September 8, 2013 |access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref> and Wendy's on the launch of the Pretzel Bacon Cheeseburger in 2013, for which they were nominated as a 2014 Shorty Award finalist.<ref name=Griner14>{{cite news |title=Here Are the Finalists for the Year's Best Brands on Twitter, Vine and Everywhere Else |author=David Griner |url=http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/here-are-finalists-years-best-brands-twitter-vine-and-everywhere-else-156122 |work=Adweek |date=March 6, 2014 |access-date=19 May 2016}}</ref>

In 2011, Ketchum faced backlash for a promotion for ConAgra, in which the agency hosted a dinner for food bloggers that was billed as serving food prepared by George Duran, but diners were served ConAgra frozen foods instead. Ketchum filmed each dinner and hoped to use footage of diners' reactions for promotional purposes. However, many bloggers felt tricked by the switch. Ketchum apologized and ConAgra offered reimbursement for any incurred expense to the attendees.<ref name=Newman11>{{cite news |title=Bloggers Don’t Follow the Script, to ConAgra’s Chagrin |author=Andrew Adam Newman |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/07/business/media/when-bloggers-dont-follow-the-script-to-conagras-chagrin.html |work=The New York Times |date=September 6, 2011 |access-date=26 May 2016}}</ref>

=== Crisis management === Ketchum has a team of approximately 50 crisis management executives in the US<ref name=Bruell11 /> and offers a suite of related services, including Mobile RepProtect,<ref name=Perlberg14>{{cite news |title=Crisis Management — There’s An App For That |author=Steve Perlberg |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/cmo/2014/05/13/crisis-management-theres-an-app-for-that/ |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=May 13, 2014 |access-date=19 May 2016 |archive-date=15 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115212235/https://blogs.wsj.com/cmo/2014/05/13/crisis-management-theres-an-app-for-that/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> University RepProtect for higher education, Cyber RepProtect for data security,<ref name=Stein15>{{cite news |title=Omnicom Group's PR revenue drops 1.5% in Q3 |author=Lindsay Stein |url=http://www.prweek.com/article/1369171/omnicom-groups-pr-revenue-drops-15-q3#l83UylecWVFaH0oJ.99 |work=PRWeek |date=October 20, 2015 |access-date=19 May 2016}}</ref> and Game Plan for sports teams and brands.<ref name=Bradley16>{{cite news |title=Ketchum tackles sports crises head-on with new specialty |author=Diana Bradley |url=http://www.prweek.com/article/1351748/ketchum-tackles-sports-crises-head-on-new-specialty#dd4QRZYBkylHPuiS.99 |work=PRWeek |date=June 16, 2015 |access-date=19 May 2016}}</ref>

In 2011, Pennsylvania State University hired Ketchum to handle crisis communications following the Jerry Sandusky scandal in 2011.<ref name=Bruell11>{{cite news |title=Penn State Enlists Ketchum for Crisis Communications |author=Alexandra Bruell |url=http://adage.com/article/agency-news/penn-state-enlists-ketchum-crisis-communications/231016/ |work=Advertising Age |date=November 15, 2011 |access-date=19 May 2016}}</ref> Ketchum worked with Malaysia Airlines during the search for and response to missing plane MH370 in 2014.<ref name=Coffee14>{{cite news |title=Malaysia Airlines Turns to Ketchum in MH370 Crisis |author=Patrick Coffee |url=http://www.adweek.com/prnewser/malaysia-airlines-turns-to-ketchum-in-mh370-crisis/89864 |work=PRNewser |date=March 31, 2014 |access-date=19 May 2016}}</ref> The agency also provided crisis counseling to Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield in 2015 during the largest data breach in the US insurance industry's history.<ref name=Bradley15>{{cite news |title=A look at Anthem's PR response following the data breach |author=Diana Bradley |url=http://www.scmagazine.com/a-look-at-anthems-pr-response-following-the-data-breach/article/396990/ |work=SC Magazine |date=February 6, 2015 |access-date=19 May 2016}}</ref>

=== American government work === Ketchum has fulfilled multiple contracts for the United States government, including for the Department of Education, Department of Health & Human Services, the Internal Revenue Service, and the US Army.<ref name=Rountree03>{{cite news |title=Ketchum Picks Up PR for Medicare |author=Kristen Rountree |url=http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising/ketchum-picks-pr-medicare-64926 |work=Adweek |date=June 13, 2003 |access-date=24 May 2016}}</ref><ref name=EverythingPR>{{cite news |title=Ketchum PR – An Omnicom Group Agency |url=http://everything-pr.com/tag/ketchum/ |work=Everything-PR |access-date=24 May 2016}}</ref> In 2015 the agency worked with the Library of Congress to provide support for the National Book Festival.<ref name=Nichols15>{{cite news |title=Ketchum lends Library of Congress a hand with National Book Festival |author=Laura Nichols |url=http://www.prweek.com/article/1360545/ketchum-lends-library-congress-hand-national-book-festival#BriFIeo3aajKyzFo.99 |work=PRWeek |date=August 19, 2015 |access-date=24 May 2016}}</ref> In 2004, Ketchum was accused of "covert propaganda" for a series of news stories for HHS that used actors playing journalists reporting on drug benefits without informing viewers of the government connection, for which it was found to be in violation of a federal propaganda ban by the Government Accountability Office.<ref name="Lee05">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/09/AR2005100900959.html|title=Medicare Drug Benefit Outlined in Campaign|date=October 10, 2005|work=The Washington Post|author=Christopher Lee|access-date=24 May 2016}}</ref> In 2005, the Ketchum received similarly critical coverage after the Education Department directed the agency to pay for coverage that praised President Bush's No Child Left Behind Act.<ref name=Toppo05>{{cite news |title=Education Dept. paid commentator to promote law |author=Greg Toppo |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-01-06-williams-whitehouse_x.htm |work=USA Today |date=January 7, 2005 |access-date=24 May 2016}}</ref> The final investigation by the FCC did not find Ketchum to be at fault, but it did issue a citation for Armstrong Williams, who was paid by Ketchum to promote the NCLB Act, and fined two broadcasting companies.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.prwatch.org/news/2007/10/6579/time-pay-payola-pundit-armstrong-williams|title=Time To Pay for Payola Pundit Armstrong Williams|last=Farsetta|first=Diane|date=October 19, 2007|work=PR Watch|publisher=Center for Media and Democracy|access-date=December 21, 2016}}</ref>

=== Russian government work === In 2006, Dmitry Peskov, Vladimir Putin's press attaché, hired Ketchum to work on the 32nd G8 summit held in Saint Petersburg, to improve Russia's reputation in the West after its state-controlled energy company Gazprom cut off natural gas supplies to Ukraine.<ref name=":0" />

From 2006 to 2015, Ketchum represented the Russian Federation in the US and Europe<ref name="Sudhaman15" /> for events including the G20 Summit, World Economic Forum, and 2014 Sochi Olympics, media and op-ed outreach.<ref name="Lynch15">{{cite news |title=Russia, Ketchum End Controversial Nine-Year Public Relations Partnership |author=Dennis Lynch |url=http://www.ibtimes.com/russia-ketchum-end-controversial-nine-year-public-relations-partnership-1844092 |work=International Business Times |date=March 11, 2015 |access-date=24 May 2016}}</ref><ref name="Volkov13">{{cite news |title=Ketchum launches thinkRUSSIA platform on sidelines of St. Petersburg Economic Forum |author=Mikhail Volkov |url=http://rbth.com/news/2013/06/19/ketchum_launches_thinkrussia_platform_on_sidelines_of_st_petersburg_econ_27239.html |work=Russia Beyond the Headlines |date=June 19, 2013 |access-date=24 May 2016}}</ref> In 2013, Ketchum pitched an op-ed from Russian president Vladimir Putin on the Syrian Civil War to ''The New York Times''.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.adweek.com/prnewser/ketchum-placed-vladimir-putins-controversial-new-york-times-op-ed/73448|title=Ketchum Placed Vladimir Putin’s Controversial New York Times Op-Ed|website=Adweek|last1=Coffee|first1=Patrick|date=12 September 2013|access-date=1 November 2016}}</ref> According to ''The Holmes Report'', the assignment "attracted plenty of mainstream media scrutiny in the US, most of it negative" due to the countries' political relationship.<ref name="Sudhaman15">{{cite news |title=The Unravelling Of Ketchum's Russia Relationship |author=Arun Sudhaman |url=http://www.holmesreport.com/latest/article/the-unravelling-of-ketchum's-russia-relationship |work=The Holmes Report |date=March 13, 2015 |access-date=24 May 2016}}</ref> In January 2015, ''Politico'' magazine reported that Ketchum had received more than $60 million from the Kremlin for their work from 2006 to 2014.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/01/putins-washington-113894/|title=Putin’s Washington|last1=O'Brien|first1=Luke|website=Politico|date=February 2015|access-date=1 November 2016}}</ref> The contract between the Russian and Ketchum ended in March 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://money.cnn.com/2015/03/12/media/russia-putin-pr-ketchum/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150313213153/http://money.cnn.com/2015/03/12/media/russia-putin-pr-ketchum/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 13, 2015|title=Putin drops his American PR company|last=Kottasova|first=Ivana|date=March 12, 2015|website=CNNMoney|access-date=December 31, 2016}}</ref>

=== Awards === In 1985 Ketchum New York was a finalist in the Caples direct marketing awards for their pro bono work assisting Central Park and the Central Park Conservancy. As of 2016, Ketchum has won more Silver Anvils from the Public Relations Society of America than any other agency.<ref name=Sarno16 /> Its campaigns have been awarded "Campaign of the Year" by ''PRWeek'' five times,<ref name=Ketchum16>{{cite press release |title=Ketchum and MasterCard Win PRWeek Global Award for Campaign of the Year |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ketchum-mastercard-win-prweek-global-083500700.html |publisher=Ketchum |date=May 5, 2016 |access-date=24 May 2016}}</ref> and Ketchum was the 2002<ref name=PRWeek02>{{cite news |title=PR Agency of the Year 2002 |url=http://www.prweek.com/article/1235192/pr-agency-year-2002 |work=PRWeek |date=March 7, 2012 |access-date=24 May 2016}}</ref> and 2012<ref name=PRWeek12>{{cite news |title=PR Agency of the Year: Ketchum |url=http://www.prweek.com/article/1279920/pr-agency-year-ketchum |work=PRWeek |date=March 2, 2012 |access-date=24 May 2016}}</ref> ''PRWeek'' Agency of the Year. Ketchum London was named Agency of the Decade by U.K.’s ''CorpComms'' magazine in 2015.<ref name=CorpComms15>{{cite news |title=Agency of the Decade – Gold |url=http://www.corpcommsmagazine.co.uk/awards/corpcomms/decade-of-excellence |work=CorpComms |date=2015 |access-date=24 May 2016 |archive-date=3 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161103234236/http://www.corpcommsmagazine.co.uk/awards/corpcomms/decade-of-excellence |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Corporate overview== Ketchum is owned by Omnicom Group and is part of the company's Diversified Agency Services network's Omnicom Public Relations Group. The agency's subsidiaries include Access Brand Communications, Emanate, and Capstrat.<ref name="PRWeekMay16">{{cite news |date=May 2, 2016 |title=Ketchum: PRWeek Global Agency Business Report 2022 |pages=https://www.prweek.com/article/1754587/agency-business-report-2022-agency-family-tree |work=PRWeek |url=https://www.prweek.com/article/1754587/agency-business-report-2022-agency-family-tree |access-date=10 May 2022}}</ref>

===Locations and employees=== Ketchum's headquarters are located in New York City.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ketchum - Products, Competitors, Financials, Employees, Headquarters Locations |url=https://www.cbinsights.com/company/ketchum |access-date=2024-08-21 |website=www.cbinsights.com}}</ref> The agency has more than 130 offices and affiliates in over 70 countries.<ref name=Hoovers>{{cite news |title=Ketchum Inc. Company Information |url=http://www.hoovers.com/company-information/cs/company-profile.ketchum_inc.259f7ac51e6a95a1.html |work=Hoover's |access-date=24 May 2016}}</ref> {{As of|2016}}, Ketchum has approximately 2,500 employees.<ref name="PRWeekMay16" />

In 2016, Ketchum announced the formation of a global leadership council comprising 20 senior leaders. The GLC replaced and significantly expanded Ketchum's Executive Committee.<ref name="SudhamanJun16">{{cite news |title=Ketchum Revamps Leadership With New Global Council |author=Arun Sudhaman |url=http://www.holmesreport.com/latest/article/ketchum-revamps-leadership-with-new-global-council |work=The Holmes Report |date=June 16, 2016 |access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref>

Ketchum was led by President and CEO Mike Doyle for 30 years, ending in 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ketchum CEO Mike Doyle to exit agency this month |url=https://www.mmm-online.com/news/ketchum-ceo-mike-doyle-to-exit-agency-this-month/ |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=MM+M - Medical Marketing and Media |language=en-US}}</ref>

Other leadership roles include President of North America and U.S. CEO Tamara Norman, CEO of global markets Jo-ann Robertson, and Global Chief Financial & Operating Officer Alan Banner.<ref name="Bloomberg">{{cite news |title=Company Overview of Ketchum Inc. |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=829564 |work=Bloomberg |access-date=24 May 2016}}</ref>

===Company culture=== Ketchum developed a program called MindFire for college students to respond to client challenges with creative solutions in order to earn prizes and networking opportunities.<ref name=Frank12>{{cite news |title=Ketchum’s Mindfire a Sure Fire Hit for SOC Students |author=Adrienne Frank |url=http://www.american.edu/americantoday/campus-news/20120227-Ketchum-Mindfire-SOC-Partnership.cfm |work=American Today |date=February 27, 2012 |access-date=24 May 2016}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist|30em}}

==External links== * [http://www.ketchum.com/ Ketchum corporate website]

Category:Public relations companies of the United States Category:Companies based in New York City Category:Mass media companies established in 1923 Category:1923 establishments in Pennsylvania