Ketchum Announces Four Senior Leadership Appointments

NEW YORK, Aug. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Ketchum, one of the world leaders in communications and public relations, today appointed four of its senior executives to new positions at the firm. Ketchum Chief Executive Officer Rob Flaherty announced the advancements to further the firm's commitment to provide innovative thinking and high-quality service to its clients and sustain the firm's momentum into the future. Ketchum experienced record revenue and new business growth in 2011 that has continued into 2012. Earlier this year, the firm was named PRWeek's Agency of the Year. 

Effective Sept. 1, Rob Lorfink, currently Senior Partner, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, will become Senior Partner, President and Chief Operating Officer. Barri Rafferty, currently Senior Partner and Director of the New York office, will become Senior Partner and CEO of North America, succeeding Lorraine Thelian, who will become Senior Partner and Vice Chairman. Mike Doyle, Partner and Associate Director of the New York office, will become Partner and Director of that office, succeeding Rafferty. These appointments build on a long-planned management transition. The first phase took place on July 1, when Rob Flaherty became the firm's CEO and Ray Kotcher its Chairman.

"We are making these leadership appointments at a time of success and stability here at Ketchum. They ensure that we will continue to provide clients with the breakthrough thinking they need to differentiate themselves in the marketplace. These appointments also provide some of our proven leaders with an even greater opportunity to deliver impactful business and communications solutions to our clients," said Flaherty. "I have worked closely with each of these individuals for some time, and I look forward to seeing them continue to succeed in their new roles."

• Lorfink joined Ketchum as Chief Financial Officer in 2003 from Omnicom Group's Diversified Agency Services (DAS) network and expanded his role to Chief Operating Officer in 2008. Over the course of his tenure, Lorfink has been a key driver of Ketchum's mergers and acquisition strategy, working to expand the firm's global client service footprint into new geographies. He also has been pivotal in diversifying the agency's range of services through a mix of mergers, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures and startups. These locally relevant, specific approaches to quickly meeting clients' global challenges have contributed to Ketchum's consistent profitable growth.
  
  As President and COO, Lorfink will continue to focus on these areas, while building even greater synergy across Ketchum's global network. To help meet this objective, the three regional CEOs and the firm's specialty units will report to Lorfink. Lorfink also will continue to oversee the organization's operational functions, comprising talent management, finance, information technology and legal. He will remain on the firm's Executive Committee and will report to Flaherty. 
  
• While at Ketchum, Rafferty has led two of the agency's North American operations (New York and the South, which comprises Atlanta and Dallas) as well as the firm's Global Brand Marketing Practice. Recently, she also headed the team responsible for the reorganization and subsequent growth of the agency's digital business. She is known for her ability to counsel clients on integrated communications and branding initiatives leveraging experiential, online and mainstream communications solutions. As CEO of North America, Rafferty will have management responsibility for all Ketchum offices in the U.S. and Canada. She also will continue to oversee the firm's digital and social advancement as well as Ketchum Digital and to serve on the firm's Executive Committee. She will report to Lorfink.
  
• A driving force behind Ketchum's long period of success and stability in North America, Thelian has held a variety of positions, including running the agency's North American operations and Washington, D.C., office and overseeing its Global Practices. As Vice Chairman, Thelian will advise on the firm's overall North American operations. She also will continue to serve as a senior counselor to a number of the firm's top clients, in areas ranging from healthcare to public affairs to corporate reputation. In addition, Thelian will apply her strong business management skills and operational acumen to other agency initiatives such as acquisitions and new ventures. She will continue to serve on the Executive Committee and will report to Flaherty.
  
• Doyle built his career at Ketchum and today oversees the New York office's Consumer Brand Practice and Food & Wellness Practice, where he leads some of the agency's largest client engagements. Doyle started his career in Washington, D.C., in 1995 and moved to New York in 1999. Since then, he has held a number of senior roles. In addition to his Ketchum tenure, Doyle was part of the corporate communications team at NBCUniversal. Doyle takes on the position of Director of the New York office, where he will continue to be a senior counselor and be responsible for ensuring client satisfaction. In this new role, he also will be responsible for retaining and securing top talent and overseeing the day-to-day operations. Doyle will report to Rafferty.

According to Ray Kotcher, Ketchum Chairman, "Rob, Lorraine, Barri and Mike have each made enormous contributions to Ketchum, and I have great respect and appreciation for them as individuals and for their work. In addition to being seasoned client counselors with proven leadership and managerial skills, they are the true embodiment of the culture and values of Ketchum.

"You can fully expect our emphasis on our talent and their development to continue.  It is key to helping our clients succeed," Kotcher said.     

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