Ketchum and Zito Partners Form Strategic Alliance

NEW YORK, May 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Ketchum, a leading public relations agency, today announced that it has entered into a strategic alliance with  Zito Partners to form Ketchum Zito Financial, a new offering focused on financial communications for transactions, earnings, restructurings, turnarounds, proxy solicitation, investor relations and crisis situations. The group also will provide positioning related to a full array of financial services institutions, including asset managers, alternative asset managers, banks and non-bank credit providers.

The alliance is being formed directly with Ketchum's financial communications practice in New York to bolster and enhance these specialized services within Ketchum's global network. The Ketchum Zito Financial team will be able to provide clients with financial communications services backed by the depth of resources and experience that comes from a worldwide consultancy combined with the decades-long expertise of an industry expert. 

"Bob Zito and his firm are the right partners for Ketchum's financial communications practice, which has grown significantly in the past few years as our publicly held clients find themselves at the busy intersection of digital media and financial disclosure," said Rob Flaherty, senior partner, CEO and president of Ketchum. 

As executive vice president of the New York Stock Exchange and a member of its Management Committee, Zito contributed to building NYSE into one of the most respected brands in the world. By bringing television to the NYSE trading floor and creating the daily "must-see" events of high-powered newsmakers ringing the opening and closing bells, he created global visibility for NYSE-listed companies and member firms.

Before joining the NYSE, Zito was Sony's vice president of corporate communications, spearheading the effort to rebrand the company as a global entertainment leader following Sony's acquisitions of CBS Records and Columbia Pictures. Later, he served as chief communications officer and a member of the Management Committee for Bristol-Myers Squibb before forming his own firm in 2010.

"As a former Ketchum client, I have long been impressed by the talent and loyalty of the firm's senior leadership," said Zito. "My interest in forming this partnership is based, in large measure, on existing relationships with the very people I have known and trusted for years and whom I have seen firsthand offer exceptional guidance and support to clients."

On selected client engagements, the Ketchum Zito Financial team will join together Zito Partners' specialists with Ketchum's financial communications industry experts, including Marc Drechsler, senior vice president and head of financial communications; David Allan, senior vice president, investor relations; and A.J. Goodman, senior vice president, media relations. Drechsler and his team are based in Ketchum's New York office, which is led by partner Mike Doyle. Since 2010, the Ketchum team has handled some of the largest IPOs in the United States and cross-border M&A mandates. Recently, the team handled the $2.7 billion New York Stock Exchange listing of FSIC, a business development company sponsored by Franklin Square, Philadelphia, a leading manager of alternative investment funds with more than $10 billion in assets.

Drechsler said, "Bob's experience handling complex issues, counseling CEOs and management, and spearheading brand strategy at blue-chip companies is unrivaled. Companies today need board-level expertise combined with excellence in execution. Ketchum Zito Financial will deliver on both promises, helping our clients and prospects manage their most critical financial communications needs."

For more information, visit http://www.ketchumzito.com/.

About Zito Partners
Zito Partners builds, energizes and defends brands. A boutique firm representing a select group of clients from a range of industries, Zito Partners believes in a "ready, aim, fire" approach – understand the client…develop the appropriate strategy against the key target constituencies…and execute against the plan.  For more information, visit www.zitopartners.com. 

About Ketchum
Ketchum is a leading global communications firm with operations in more than 70 countries across six continents. The winner of 11 Cannes Lions and an unprecedented four 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 organizations, serving international and local clients through more than 700 offices in 71 countries.

SOURCE Ketchum Public Relations