Ketchum Acquires Moscow-Based Maslov PR; Firm Will Be Known as Ketchum Maslov

NEW YORK and MOSCOW, Oct. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Ketchum, a leading global marketing and corporate communication consultancy, today announced it has taken a majority position in Maslov PR, the Moscow-based, full-service Russian public relations company. The firm, to be called Ketchum Maslov, will be led by Michael Maslov, managing director and founder of Maslov PR, and Serguey Chumin, his business partner of several years. Maslov will report to Jon Higgins, Ketchum senior partner and CEO, international.

The acquisition builds on a successful 15-year exclusive affiliate relationship between the two firms and advances Ketchum's global client service capabilities and strengthens its presence in Northern Eurasia. The addition of Maslov PR also adds a world-class capability in yet another BRIC country (Brazil, Russia, India and China) and complements Ketchum's existing strength in the Americas, Europe, Middle East, Northern Africa and rapidly growing capabilities in Asia.

"The acquisition represents another significant step in our global efforts to provide a broader spectrum of geographic client service and further solidifies Ketchum's position as one of a small group of agencies in a position to execute programs everywhere our clients do business," said Raymond L. Kotcher, senior partner and CEO, Ketchum. "I have worked closely with Michael and Serguey through the years and am confident that together we will elevate our already high level of service in Northern Eurasia – a critical geography."

Higgins said, "Russia is an increasingly important region for our clients, and Maslov PR has time and again proven itself an exemplary and impressive partner. In addition to its strong leadership, it is an excellent strategic and cultural fit for our agency. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to invest in such a first-class partner to help our clients reach their business goals."

Maslov PR provides highly strategic counsel to a number of multinational, blue chip clients in the areas of brand marketing communications, public affairs, crisis communications, issues management, reputation management, internal communications and investor relations. In 2006, Maslov PR introduced to Ketchum the opportunity to support the Russian Presidency of the G8. Today Maslov PR and Ketchum continue to partner on high-profile work with the Russian Federation, for which the combined team was awarded both the PRWeek Award and the Public Relations Society of America Silver Anvil award for Global Campaign of the Year in 2007.

"The fit is perfect and the timing is right for Maslov PR to take our well-established relationship with Ketchum to the next level," said Michael Maslov, managing director, Ketchum Maslov. "This partnership gives our clients even better access to Ketchum's global capabilities and offers our Moscow team additional opportunities to expand their international experience and work with new, exciting clients."

Maslov, who holds a Ph.D. in political science from the Moscow State Institute of International Affairs, established his business during the early days of the practice of public relations in Russia. A recognized leader in the Russian PR industry, Maslov is a founding member of the Russian Public Relations Consultancies Association (AKOC/ICCO Russia), which is committed to the growth of PR in that country.  

This acquisition builds on other geographic client service moves made by Ketchum earlier this year, including finalizing its merger with Pleon in Europe to form Ketchum Pleon, the industry's largest, most diversified consultancy in the region; forming a joint venture in the Middle East and North Africa called Ketchum Raad Middle East; and establishing a new exclusive affiliate relationship in South Korea with local market leader Prain.

About Ketchum

A communications innovator and the 2010 Large PR Firm of the Year (Holmes Report and PR News), Ketchum is a leading global communications consultancy and, operating as Ketchum Pleon, is the largest, most diversified agency in the U.K. and continental Europe. With five global practices – Brand Marketing, Corporate, Healthcare, Food & Nutrition, and Technology – and specialty capabilities that include Access Communications (high- and consumer-tech PR), Concentric Communications (experiential marketing, events and meetings), MMG (clinical trial recruitment), Ketchum Global Research Network, Ketchum Pleon Change (change and workplace communications) and Ketchum Sports & Entertainment, Ketchum leverages its marketing and corporate communication expertise to build brands and reputations for clients. For more information on Ketchum, a unit of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE:OMC), visit www.ketchum.com.

About Maslov PR

Founded in 1993, Maslov PR – formerly part of Maslov, Sokur & Associates (MS&A) – is a full-service communications agency with strong expertise in brand marketing, corporate and technology disciplines. As a leader in the Russian market, Maslov PR was the first independent Russian agency that officially signed a formal affiliation agreement with a major international agency network – Ketchum – which has been in effect since 1995. www.maslov-pr.com

SOURCE Ketchum