Omnicom Group's Ketchum Acquires Moscow-Based Maslov PR

NEW YORK, Oct. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Omnicom Group's (NYSE: OMC) Ketchum, a leading global marketing and corporate communications consultancy that is part of Omnicom's Diversified Agency Services (DAS) division, has taken a majority position in Maslov PR, the Moscow-based, full-service Russian public relations company.

The firm, to be renamed Ketchum Maslov, will be led by Michael Maslov, managing director and founder of Maslov PR, and Serguey Chumin, his business partner.

Tom Harrison, President and CEO of DAS, noted, "The two companies have demonstrated through years of partnership that together they can deliver integrated communications on a global level while maintaining efficient and effective service at the global and regional levels."

Maslov PR provides highly strategic counsel to a number of multinational, blue-chip clients in the areas of brand marketing communications, public affairs, crisis communications, issues management, reputation management, internal communications and investor relations. Maslov PR was the first independent Russian agency to officially sign a formal affiliation agreement with a major international agency network, doing so with Ketchum in 1995.

Today Maslov PR and Ketchum continue to partner on high-profile work with the Russian Federation, for which the combined team was awarded both the PRWeek Award and the Public Relations Society of America Silver Anvil award for Global Campaign of the Year in 2007.

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 disciplines. DAS includes more than 190 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. (NYSE: OMC) (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.

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