Ketchum Names Two New Associate Directors to Enhance Client Service and Support Future Growth
LOS ANGELES and WASHINGTON, Oct. 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Ketchum, a leading public relations agency, today announced the appointment of new associate directors in two of its North American offices. Melissa Kinch, partner and director of the Ketchum West Corporate Practice, assumes the role of associate director of Ketchum West, and Kathy Jeavons, partner and director of U.S. Corporate & Public Affairs, adds the role of associate director, Washington, D.C.
"These markets represent growth potential for Ketchum, and having the right local leadership in place positions us to best capitalize on these opportunities," said Barri Rafferty, senior partner and CEO, North America. "These two women are top client counselors in our business and marry that with exceptional management skills."
In her new role, Kinch will help oversee the Ketchum West region, comprised of offices in San Francisco and Los Angeles, while continuing to provide senior counsel to clients across the country. During her 17-year career at Ketchum, Kinch has built leadership and teams that specialize in helping brands, organizations and industry sectors diffuse issues and create champions using engaging content and influencer outreach. Kinch was named a Ketchum partner in 2013 and was named one of PRWeek's "40 Under 40" in 2008. Her teams have won dozens of industry accolades, including PRWeek Awards, PRSA Silver Anvils, SABRE Awards and a Cannes Bronze Lion. Since 2011, Kinch also has served as associate director of the Global Corporate & Public Affairs Practice for Ketchum, helping to shape the agency's corporate offerings worldwide, including helping to launch the Ketchum Leadership Communication Monitor, a global study focused on the attributes consumers and influencers expect in leaders. In her new role, Kinch will report to Dave Chapman, partner and director, Ketchum West.
"The strengths, experience and expertise that Melissa has demonstrated throughout her Ketchum career make her incredibly valuable to the region and an obvious choice for this new role," said Chapman. "She is a calculated risk-taker, always asking insightful questions, and she is a determined problem solver. Melissa is known for her skills in leading and growing large, complex pieces of business, but she also is known for building loyal, high-performing teams, both inside and outside of the Ketchum West region."
Jeavons takes on the role of associate director, Washington, D.C., in addition to her responsibilities as director of U.S. corporate and public affairs. In her new role, Jeavons will partner with human resources, finance and business development to oversee day-to-day operations of the office. With 25 years of agency and government experience in communications, public affairs and issues advocacy, Jeavons is an expert on the cultural nuances of partnership, strategy and execution for global accounts. She has extensive experience managing multifaceted, multiagency public affairs campaigns for foreign governments, regulated companies and industries. In her new role, Jeavons reports to Rafferty and senior partner and chief client officer Jerry Olszewski.
Rafferty said of Jeavons: "Kathy has a dogged focus on providing world-class client service and know-how to tap the best resources in our network from all over the world to meet the most challenging client needs. She also has a passion for D.C. and knows how to navigate the Beltway. In this new role, I have no doubt her leadership will contribute significantly to our growth in the D.C. market and further enhance our borderless culture."
About Ketchum
Ketchum is a leading global communications firm with operations in more than 70 countries across six continents. The winner of 14 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 the DAS Group of Companies, a division of Omnicom Group Inc., visit www.ketchum.com.
About the DAS Group of Companies
The DAS Group of Companies, a division of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) (www.omnicomgroup.com), is a global group of marketing services companies. DAS includes over 200 companies in the following marketing disciplines: specialty, PR, healthcare, CRM, events, promotional marketing, branding and research. Operating through a combination of networks and regional organizations, DAS serves international, regional, national and local clients through more than 700 offices in 71 countries.
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SOURCE Ketchum
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