Michael O’Brien Rejoins Ketchum as Executive Vice President, Director, New York Client Service

Contacts:         

Robyn Massey                                                 

Ketchum                                                              

+1-646-935-3911                                                   

robyn.massey@ketchum.com                    

 

Alicia Stetzer

Ketchum

+1-646-935-3910

 

 

New York, March 9, 2009 – Michael O’Brien, former President of the Global Consumer Practice at Cohn & Wolfe, has been appointed Executive Vice President and Director, New York Client Service, at Ketchum. In this capacity, O’Brien will focus on enhancing and expanding client relations while also coaching and mentoring client directors in New York, and serving as a member of the New York executive team.

 

“It is rare to find someone with such diverse experience in the industry, from brand marketing to healthcare to corporate reputation to issues management,” said Barri Rafferty, Senior Partner and Director, Ketchum New York. “Michael is a consummate public relations professional whose experience spans across all practices and sectors; his unique background will be an asset to the agency and our clients.”

 

Prior to his role at Cohn & Wolfe, O’Brien served as president of its New York office. O’Brien is returning to Ketchum after leaving in August 2004. He had previously headed the Brand Marketing Practice at Ketchum New York, where he led the Kodak, Absolut Spirits and Visa accounts, among others. During his time at Ketchum, O’Brien’s account teams won numerous industry awards, including four Silver Anvil awards from the Public Relations Society of America.

 

"Michael always operates from the outside in, totally immersed in clients’ needs, opportunities and the business contexts in which they operate,” said Jerry Olszewski, Senior Partner and Chief Client Officer. “We'll look to him for insights and leadership as we continue to drive a client-centered focus throughout Ketchum."

 

O’Brien will report to Senior Partners Barri Rafferty and Jerry Olszewski. He holds a B.A. in communications from Marist College, and he is currently a member of Marist’s College advisory committee to the School of Communications.

 

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.