Holmes Report Names Ketchum EMEA Consultancy of the Year

NEW YORK, March 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Ketchum, one of the world's leading communications firms, was named EMEA Consultancy of the Year by the Holmes Report, a leading publication in the global public relations industry. The recognition encompasses the entire Europe, Middle East and Africa region and headlines a list of individual geographic honors. Also recognized are Ketchum's South Africa affiliate, Magna Carta, which was named African Consultancy of the Year, and Ketchum Italy and Ketchum Maslov, which were finalists for Mediterranean Consultancy of the Year and Russian Consultancy of the Year, respectively. The awards will be presented May 30 in Barcelona as part of the 2013 EMEA SABRE Awards.

Of the award, Holmes Report editor-in-chief and CEO Paul Holmes wrote, "Ketchum can credibly claim to be the largest public relations agency in the EMEA region, with 29 offices and 29 affiliates providing comprehensive regional coverage." Holmes also cited the firm's strength in developed markets like Germany, Italy, Spain and the U.K., as well as "impressive growth" in emerging markets like Russia, the Middle East and Africa.

Ketchum senior partner and CEO Rob Flaherty said, "The Holmes Report's analysis underscores many aspects of our network that position us well for the future – award-winning client work, strong new business success, depth in all major and emerging markets, and scale that makes us the market leader. This honor is an important and highly visible validation of how we operate."

David Gallagher, Ketchum senior partner and president of Europe, added, "This recognition reflects the hard work, innovation and commitment of Ketchum colleagues in EMEA and beyond. I'd like to personally congratulate and thank all of the clients, colleagues and business partners who make our continued success possible."

These award wins follow a number of high honors bestowed to Ketchum in 2012. Last year, Ketchum was honored with the European Excellence Award for Agency of the Year and was named Large Consultancy of the Year by PRmoment at the inaugural Golden Hedgehog Awards. Ketchum and IBM took home the Best of Silver Anvil Award and Platinum SABRE Award for the best campaign of the year, and Ketchum won more Silver Anvils and Americas SABRE Awards than any other firm, with 10 total Anvils and six Gold SABRE Awards. Earlier this year, Ketchum and its clients took home three PRWeek Awards.

About the SABRE Awards
SABRE awards are bestowed annually and are presented for Superior Achievement in Branding and Reputation. Diamond SABREs recognize the increased contribution public relations is making in the C-suite, Gold SABREs recognize the best programs in specific brand-building and reputation management categories, and Silver SABREs focus on superior content creation. The Holmes Group exists to provide competitive insight and intelligence to public relations professionals. Products include consulting services, customized research, industry white papers, a weekly newsletter, The Holmes Report, and a comprehensive website. The Holmes Report is created for public relations professionals and offers industry news articles on new developments in the field and the trends and issues facing public relations professionals today and tomorrow. 

About Ketchum
Ketchum is a leading global communications firm with operations in more than 70 countries across six continents. Named 2012 PR Agency of the Year (PRWeek and European Excellence Awards) and the winner of an unprecedented three consecutive PRWeek Campaign of the Year Awards, Ketchum partners with clients to deliver strategic programming, game-changing creative and measurable results that build brands and reputations. For more information on Ketchum, a part of Diversified Agency Services, a division of Omnicom Group Inc., visit www.ketchum.com.

About Diversified Agency Services
Diversified Agency Services (DAS), a division of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) (www.omnicomgroup.com), manages Omnicom's holdings in a variety of marketing communications disciplines. DAS includes over 200 companies, which operate through a combination of networks and regional organisations, serving international and local clients through more than 700 offices in 71 countries.

About Omnicom Group Inc.
Omnicom Group Inc. (www.omnicomgroup.com) is a leading global marketing and corporate communications company. Omnicom's branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, digital and interactive marketing, direct and promotional marketing, public relations and other specialty communications services to over 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries.

SOURCE Ketchum