Ketchum and Pleon to Merge, Creating Global Communications Powerhouse

LONDON, June 16 /PRNewswire/ -- In an agreement that marks one of the
largest mergers ever in the public relations industry, Ketchum, a leading
global public relations firm, and Pleon, Europe's largest strategic
communications consultancy, have announced today they will combine operations.
The merger creates one of the largest, most geographically diverse
communications consultancies in the world, and by far the largest
communications consultancy in Europe, augmenting Pleon's position as the
established European market leader. The combined consultancy has more than
2,000 employees in owned operations and will now operate in 66 countries with
103 owned and affiliated offices worldwide.
Building on the strong business performance of both firms, Ketchum and
Pleon are committed to creating a best-in-class consultancy, bringing
together high-caliber talent and a range of clients representing many of the
world's top brands and corporations. On a worldwide basis, this merger will
combine Ketchum's strong global management capabilities, collaborative
culture and reputation for creativity with Pleon's entrepreneurial style and
expertise in strategic business communications. Both firms have been widely
recognized for delivering effective and often award-winning work on behalf of
their clients. As a result, both firms typically rank at or near the top of
client loyalty assessments.
Ketchum and Pleon also have both created work environments often
recognized among the best places to work in the industry.
"Today, organizations everywhere around the world value the competitive
advantage that well-executed public relations and communications programs can
deliver," explained Raymond L. Kotcher, senior partner and CEO, Ketchum.
"Clients are looking to their agencies for service that is effective and
efficient at the local and regional level and consistent and seamlessly
integrated globally - across time zones, geographies and cultures. In today's
highly complex environment, clients also are looking for expert counsel and
innovative communication solutions to help them meet their challenges and
seize opportunities. By combining operations, we create a platform that
ensures we will continue to deliver demonstrable value for our clients
everywhere they do business and well into the future." Each firm brings
considerable and distinctive strengths to the merger:

- Established in 1923, Ketchum has long been considered a
leader in building brands and corporate reputations. Ketchum also is
known for the professional development of its staff and has been widely
recognized for its culture of collaboration and its creativity. This is
best exemplified in the award-winning work the agency does for its
clients. For example, with 112, Ketchum has won more Public Relations
Society of America Silver Anvils than any agency in history. Silver
Anvils are one of the industry's highest honors.

- Since its beginning as Kohtes & Klewes in 1988 and now as
Pleon Europe, the consultancy has been recognized for its corporate
communications expertise, incorporating a deep understanding of
business, political and social environments into client solutions.
Pleon has been a strong and reliable business with solid growth, and
was recently named "European Consultancy of the Year" by The Holmes
Group.

"Our combined expertise brings a wide-ranging, deep arsenal of talent to
our European offer and at the same time provides EU-based multinational
clients one of the strongest worldwide networks in the industry," said Timo
Sieg, senior partner and CEO of Europe, Ketchum Pleon. "Together we will
transform our businesses and build a unified communications consultancy, with
a culture that will maximize our collective success."
The firm will operate as Ketchum globally and as Ketchum Pleon in the
U.K. and across continental Europe. Raymond L. Kotcher, senior partner and
CEO, Ketchum, will retain leadership of the organization and Timo Sieg, who
most recently served as chairman and CEO of Pleon, will be the company's CEO
of Europe. David Gallagher is appointed president of Europe and continues as
a senior partner of the firm and as CEO, London. Mark Hume serves as the
chief financial officer for the region. Management teams at both firms are
committed to achieving a seamless integration beginning immediately, with
full integration completed by year end.
Jon Higgins, who also is a senior partner of Ketchum with responsibility
for its international operations, now adds the title of CEO and becomes
senior partner and CEO, international. Along with Joachim Klewes, a senior
partner with Pleon in Germany, Higgins will co-lead the global merger
integration team. Higgins also will have management responsibility for the
firm's newly combined operations in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the
Middle East.
Sieg joins Ketchum's global Executive Committee, which in addition to
Kotcher, Higgins, and Gallagher includes Dale Bornstein, senior partner,
global practices; Rob Flaherty, senior partner and president; Rob Lorfink,
senior partner, COO and CFO; Jerry Olszewski, senior partner and chief client
officer; Barri Rafferty, senior partner and director, New York; and Lorraine
Thelian, senior partner, North America.
Global headquarters will be maintained in New York. The European
headquarters will be located in Dusseldorf, Germany.
About Ketchum
A communications innovator, Ketchum ranks among the largest global public
relations agencies, operating in more than 50 countries. With five global
practices - Brand Marketing, Corporate, Healthcare, Food & Nutrition, and
Technology - and specialty capabilities that include Access Communications
(high- and consumer-tech PR), Concentric Communications (experiential
marketing, events and meetings), MMG (clinical trial recruitment), Ketchum
Global Research Network, Ketchum Sports and Entertainment Marketing, and
Stromberg Consulting (change management and workplace communications),
Ketchum leverages its marketing and corporate communication expertise to
build brands and reputations for clients. In 2009, Advertising Age named
Ketchum to its annual "Ones to Watch" Agency A-List, noting the agency's
long-standing client partnerships, digital and disruptive media expertise,
and CSR and sustainability programming. For more information on Ketchum, a
unit of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE:OMC), visit http://www.ketchum.com.
About Pleon
Pleon is Europe's leading communications consultancy. It offers global
reach with local experience, combining business understanding, political
insight and creative thinking to devise and implement communication
strategies that deliver tangible results to its clients. Pleon has 33 branded
offices across Europe, Middle East and Africa. More than 25 percent of its
clients are serviced in more than one country and up to 100 clients are
listed among the Euro Stoxx top 300. Pleon was recently named "European
Consultancy of the Year" by The Holmes Group. For more information, visit
http://www.pleon.com.
Contacts:

Ketchum: Robyn Massey
+44-(0)20-7611-3658
robyn.massey@ketchum.com

Alicia Stetzer
+1-646-935-3910
alicia.stetzer@ketchum.com

Pleon: Dirk Popp
+49-351-84-30-414
dirk.popp@pleon.com

For more information about the merger, please visit
http://www.ketchumpleonmerge.com.
SOURCE Ketchum

Contacts: Ketchum: Robyn Massey, +44-(0)20-7611-3658,
robyn.massey@ketchum.com. Alicia Stetzer, +1-646-935-3910,
alicia.stetzer@ketchum.com. Pleon: Dirk Popp, +49-351-84-30-414,
dirk.popp@pleon.com