Ketchum Earns Spot on 2012 InformationWeek 500 List of Top Technology Innovators Across America for Fourth Consecutive Year

MONARCH BEACH, Calif., Oct. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading global public relations agency Ketchum today announced that it was named to this year's InformationWeek 500, an annual listing of the nation's most innovative users of business technology. This marks the agency's fourth consecutive year on the list, for which Ketchum currently ranks No. 238. The annual list was revealed in September at a gala awards ceremony at the exclusive InformationWeek 500 Conference which took place at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point, Calif.

Ketchum was recognized on this year's coveted list for its suite of tools that were developed in partnership between the agency's information technology team and its Global Media Network to help clients navigate the complex and rapidly expanding media landscape around the world, continuously find and create strategic opportunities, and shape compelling stories. The suite of tools includes the Global Media Landscape Wizard, an interactive platform containing geography-specific overviews of the current media environment in nearly 30 countries, which focuses on the market's media structure, trends, political situation, key media outlets and social media platforms, and tips for successful pitching. As a complement to the landscape wizard, the agency offers a Global Media Map, which utilizes a mash-up of the Google Maps API and a proprietary Ketchum database.  

Rob Lorfink, senior partner, president and chief operating officer at Ketchum, said, "As the needs of companies continue to evolve in a rapidly changing media environment, Ketchum has invested in innovative ways to help our clients communicate strategically on a global scale. Our IT strategy is greatly focused on providing better service to our clients and giving them a competitive advantage. Our clients know they can turn to Ketchum for the connectivity of our network, our ability to catalyze media opportunities, and our capability to consistently provide meaningful insights and context in markets across the globe. This award from InformationWeek in recognition of these tools demonstrates that our IT strategy is working for Ketchum and on behalf of our clients."

InformationWeek Editor In Chief Rob Preston said, "The InformationWeek 500 has recognized the most innovative users of business technology for 24 years, and this year's innovations were particularly impressive. What the editors looked for are unconventional approaches – new technologies, new models, new ways of grabbing business opportunities and solving complex business problems with IT."

InformationWeek identifies and honors the nation's most innovative users of information technology with its annual 500 listing, and also tracks the technology, strategies, investments, and administrative practices of America's best-known companies. Past overall winners include PACCAR Inc., The Vanguard Group, CME Group, National Semiconductor, Con-Way, and Principal Financial Group. The InformationWeek 500 rankings are unique among corporate rankings as it spotlights the power of innovation in information technology, rather than simply identifying the biggest IT spenders.

Additional details on the InformationWeek 500 can be found online at www.informationweek.com/iw500/.

About InformationWeek Business Technology Network
The InformationWeek Business Technology Network (http://www.informationweek.com) provides IT executives with unique analysis and tools that parallel their work flow – from defining and framing objectives through to the evaluation and recommendation of solutions. Anchored by InformationWeek, the multimedia powerhouse that looks across the enterprise, the network scales across the most critical technology categories with online properties such as DarkReading.com (security), NetworkComputing.com (networking and communications) and BYTE (consumer technology). The network also provides focused content for key IT targets, such as CIOs, developers and SMBs, via InformationWeek Global CIO, Dr. Dobb's and InformationWeek SMB, as well as vital vertical industries with InformationWeek Financial Services, Government and Healthcare sites. Content is at the nucleus of our information distribution strategy – IT professionals turn to our experts and communities to stay informed, get advice and research technologies to make strategic business decisions.

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