Ketchum Announces Four Recent Hires in Rapidly Growing Digital Division

NEW YORK, Jan. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Ketchum, one of the world's leading public relations agencies, today announced the recent appointments of four digital hires across several of its U.S. offices. Dean McBeth recently joined as SVP, digital and content strategy, in the New York office; James Lin has been appointed VP, digital strategist, in the San Francisco office; Amit Wadehra has been hired as VP, digital strategist, in Chicago; and Louis Tehan will serve as a digital strategist in New York.

"We are delighted to welcome four impressive digital hires to Ketchum," said Debra Forman, partner and director of Ketchum Digital. "Ketchum Digital is devoted to continuing to enhance its digital capabilities, and investing in new talent is one way in which we plan to achieve this goal. These four individuals bring a wealth of digital experience and represent a diversity of skills, both from their past positions as well as from their personal digital footprints. We look forward to their collective contribution to Ketchum Digital and to their break through thought leadership in the digital space."

Dean McBeth is a seasoned digital strategist with 16 years of experience in content creation and execution, emerging technology solutions, integrated marketing and social media. His work spans a wide array of vertical industries from tech to government to action sports. In his newly created role, McBeth is integral in driving Ketchum's 24/7 approach to digital strategy, which essentially delivers content creation and community management in real-time.

Most recently, McBeth worked as director of digital and integrated creative at Barton F. Graf, where he built out the digital team and designed digital, social and communications strategies for a range of clients including Unilever Foods, Little Caesar's, Dish Network and KAYAK. Prior to that, McBeth served as senior strategist on the renowned Old Spice campaign for Wieden+Kennedy, where he created and executed global digital strategy. 

McBeth's work has received recognition from industry award shows including Cannes, the Andy's, Art Director's Club, Effies and Webbys, among others. He also has appeared at speaking engagements and guest lecturing appointments for premier industry events such as SXSW, PRSA, the eMarketing Summit and the American Marketing Association.

With more than 15 years of business development, marketing, and public relations experience in both B2B and consumer environments, James Lin joins Ketchum from Saga Technologies, an enterprise child abuse tracking system deployed by the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, where he worked as a business development director. In this capacity, Lin conducted all lead-generation and sales activities, in addition to planning and executing marketing and partnership initiatives.

In his role as VP and digital strategist, Lin will provide counsel to Ketchum Digital clients, developing strategies and tactics and managing campaigns to help use social platforms to spark positive conversation, engage with online influencers, achieve growth metrics and drive advocacy. Aside from drawing upon his professional experience, Lin will also leverage his personal experience as a popular daddy blogger, recognized by Babble.com as 2012's funniest dad blog (www.busydadblog.com). As a blogger, Lin has worked on numerous consumer brand campaigns and is active in social media conference circles such as BlogHer, BlogWorld, Blissdom and Dad 2.0, to name a few.

Amit Wadehra joins Ketchum Digital from Allstate Insurance. During his tenure there, Wadehra held a variety of roles, including technology planning analyst, corporate strategist, and social and digital media strategist. Most recently, he led the development of the social and digital elements of Allstate's 2011 College Football Bowl Championship Series, created integrated marketing strategies for Allstate's social assets, and established Allstate's social listening command center. In his role as VP and digital strategist for Ketchum, Wadehra will apply his extensive experience to clients including ConAgra, Kimberly Clark and National Cattlemen's Beef Association.

Louis Tehan, who most recently worked at Edelman Digital as senior project manager for Ben & Jerry's and Dove, will be responsible for digital strategy across several of Ketchum Digital's New York client accounts. Tehan has expertise in developing user flow and user experience documentation for complete Web and microsite builds, as well as executing SEO/SEM and rich media banner campaigns.

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 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 organizations, 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