Nick Ragone Named Director of Ketchum's Washington, D.C., Office

NEW YORK and WASHINGTON, June 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Ketchum, a leading global communications firm, today announced that partner Nick Ragone has been appointed director of the agency's Washington, D.C., office. Ragone was formerly an associate director in New York and head of that office's corporate, issues and crisis, and media relations teams. He now takes on day-to-day oversight of the 120-person Washington, D.C., office, where he will also be responsible for building upon the linkage between the agency's corporate and public affairs capabilities. Ragone assumes his new role on July 5 and will report to Lorraine Thelian, senior partner, North America.  

"Nick has shown himself to be a true leader within the Ketchum organization and is the ideal person to assume the director role in our Washington, D.C., office," said Raymond L. Kotcher, senior partner and CEO of Ketchum. "His sharp intellect, along with his political and business savvy, will help deliver new opportunities for clients and the agency."

As associate director, Ragone successfully expanded the Corporate Practice and grew the New York media group into one of the largest in public relations today, including the addition of social media and blogger relations capabilities over the past few years. Ragone has also become known within Ketchum, along with the industry at large, for his media relations acumen. He's counseled several of the agency's largest clients on engaging with the media and helping to establish the C-suite as thought leaders on topical issues.

Kotcher continued, "Nick's ability to intrinsically understand how news is shaped and delivered, in my opinion, is unparalleled in our industry and has established him as one of our leading client counselors and most visible agency advocates."

"Nick's considerable experience developing staff and working across the Ketchum network will help ensure the Washington office is to leverage our global resources to deliver sophisticated offerings and partnerships that best meet clients' needs," said Thelian. "We are thrilled to welcome him and look forward to the synergies we will mutually develop."

In addition to his many accomplishments at Ketchum, Ragone is a nationally recognized political historian, appearing as a regular guest on Fox News, CNN and MSNBC. He has authored four books on government and U.S. presidential history – his most recent being "Presidential Leadership: 15 Decisions that Changed the Nation." This new role will mark Ragone's return to the city, after having earned his Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center.  

Ragone replaces Liz McLean, who recently left the agency for personal reasons.

About Ketchum

Ketchum is a leading global communications firm with operations in more than 70 countries across six continents. Named 2010 Large PR Firm of the Year (Holmes Report and PR News) 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 unit of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC), visit www.ketchum.com.

SOURCE Ketchum