Ketchum Digital Grows in Greater China With New Senior Appointment

Alvin Chung

Ketchum Hong Kong

+852-3141-8080

 

Katy Cheng

Ketchum Hong Kong

+852-3141-8063

 

 

Hong Kong, March 2, 2009 - Ketchum Greater China, the Asia Pacific division of top-10 global public relations agency Ketchum and a unit of Omnicom Group, today announced the appointment of Clement Lau as Senior Vice President, Digital Communications. The appointment will align Greater China functionally and strategically with Ketchum Digital, the agency’s growing global digital strategy practice.

 

Lau will manage a team of new-media experts out of Ketchum’s Beijing office and provide day-to-day client servicing and technical support. He reports to David Wong, General Manager, Digital Business and Media Services, Greater China.

 

“Digital media continues to disrupt and transform the communications landscape with new developments appearing on a daily basis,” said Kenneth Chu, Partner and CEO, Ketchum Greater China. “Many clients in our region are struggling to comprehend how to embrace online channels to better manage their communications needs. Clement’s experience will be essential in building our digital services, which will play a critical role in our service offerings in the future.”

 

Educated in Canada, Lau has over 15 years of experience in IT, technology and mobile communication in China, with the last five years working in the interactive media industry. Lau was the CEO for XLink Media, a leader in the integrated new-media field in Asia, pioneering converged interactive media solutions to traditional TV media. He has been active in the online reputation management sector and he has consulted for Nokia, and he is a member of the Nitron Media Circle of Experts.

 

“Joining an agency of such scale and international reputation as Ketchum is an exciting development for me,” said Lau. “The digital sphere encompasses many challenges and opportunities for any company operating in Greater China, whether it be a local Chinese enterprise or a multinational company. Our services will help clients listen more effectively to what target audiences are saying and feeling as well as reaching them more effectively in compelling ways.”

 

In Greater China, Ketchum Digital offers a holistic approach to the challenges and opportunities presented by increasingly influential blogs and social networking sites. Services include proactive outreach strategies to make high-impact connections with online communities as well as blog monitoring to keep track of commentary and opinions among the world’s citizen journalists. Ketchum Digital provides thought leadership, innovation and strategic counsel to clients and account teams across all of Ketchum’s offices and specialty service areas.

 

The newly appointed Global Director of Ketchum Digital, Jonathan Kopp, said: “Digital is blurring the lines between public relations and advertising. With many traditional communications disciplines vying for relevance, the opportunity belongs to public relations to creatively engage consumers and earn their attention on Web and mobile devices. Ketchum has been steadily building the capability to provide digital strategy and content to clients around the world. Our new leadership will make it the go-to provider for clients’ digital solutions.”

 

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 and 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 www.ketchum.com.

 

A professional communications consultancy since 1980, Ketchum Greater China operates six offices in Greater China, including Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Taipei, as well as a network of affiliates throughout the Asia Pacific region. With a blue-chip client roster in five key practice areas, including Corporate/Financial Communications, Brand Marketing, Food and Nutrition, Technology and Digital, the agency represents news-making companies, offering them an extensive breadth and depth of knowledge and expertise. Its program innovation and execution excellence have consistently gained industry recognition, including top awards presented by leading PR industry magazine PRWeek and the China International Public Relations Association. Ketchum Greater China is a member of Ketchum, one of the top-10 global public relations firms. Additional information on Ketchum and its award-winning work can be found at www.ketchum.com.  

 

Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE-OMC) (www.omnicomgroup.com) is a leading global advertising, marketing and communications company. Omnicom's branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, direct and promotional marketing, public relations and other specialty communications services to over 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries.