Why are Ketchum and Pleon merging?
When will joint operations start? When is “Day One”?
How does the new agency compare in size to other large global PR agencies?
What are the new agency’s immediate and long-term goals?
Will global management structures change?
Who will lead the European operations?
What is the organizational setup in the key markets?
Where will the new agency be based?
What is the future branding globally? In Europe? In single countries?
Just how large will the new, combined consultancy become?
Q: Why are Ketchum and Pleon merging?
A: Ketchum and Pleon have made the decision to merge with the intention of creating a best-in-class consultancy, bringing together top-tier talent and a range of clients representing 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. Overall, the merger will further improve the service we provide to clients through greater geographic reach and accelerating the development of innovations. It also will provide additional career opportunities for several colleagues.
Q: When will joint operations start? When is “Day One”?
A: Ketchum and Pleon announced a merger on June 16, 2009. Our aim is to seamlessly integrate both companies by January 2010.
Q: How does the new agency compare in size to other large global PR agencies?
A: The merger creates one of the largest, most geographically diverse communications consultancies in the world, and the largest communications consultancy in Europe, augmenting Pleon’s position as the established European market leader. This will enable us to provide consistent strategic communications in every region, including North America, Latin America, Asia, the Middle East and Central and Eastern Europe.
The combined consultancy has more than 2,000 employees in owned operations and will remain firm in its dedication to attract and retain the best talent in every market. Combined, the consultancy will operate in more than 65 countries with over 100 offices and affiliate offices worldwide, with 64 offices and affiliate offices in EMEA, 19 in Asia, 11 in North America and 10 in Latin America.
Q: What are the new agency’s immediate and long-term goals?
A: By merging, Ketchum and Pleon are strategically positioned to grow into the global leader in this industry, building a well-balanced, multidisciplined firm.
Q: Will global management structures change?
A: Ray Kotcher, Senior Partner and CEO, Ketchum, will retain leadership of the global organization, and Timo Sieg, who most recently served as Chairman and CEO of Pleon, will be the company’s CEO of Europe. In addition, Sieg joins Ketchum’s global Executive Committee.
Q: Who will lead the European operations?
A: Timo Sieg will serve as Senior Partner and CEO of Europe, reporting directly to Ray Kotcher, Senior Partner and CEO of Ketchum.
David Gallagher will serve as Senior Partner and President of Europe, reporting to Sieg. Gallagher will also continue to serve as CEO of London, where he is based.
Mark Hume will serve as CFO in Europe, reporting to both Sieg and Rob Lorfink, Senior Partner, COO and CFO of Ketchum.
David Scott will serve as European Finance Director and CFO of Ketchum Pleon Germany, reporting to Hume and Frank Behrendt, CEO of Ketchum Pleon Germany.
Q: What is the organizational setup in the key markets?
A:
- Austria: Markus Schindler, CEO, Pleon Publico Austria
- Belgium: Tjessica Stegenga, Managing Director, Ketchum Pleon Belgium
- France: Jean-Martial Ribes, President, Ketchum France
- Germany: Frank Behrendt, CEO, Ketchum Pleon Germany
- Italy: Marcello Laugelli, CEO, Pleon Italy, and Andrea Cornelli, President and CEO, Ketchum Italy
- The Netherlands: Tim de Boer, CEO, Ketchum Pleon Netherlands
- Spain: Teresa Garcia Cisneros, Managing Director, Ketchum Pleon Spain, and Tony Noel, Chairman, Ketchum Pleon Spain
- Switzerland: Alexander Fink, CEO, Pleon C-Matrix
Q: Where will the new agency be based?
A: Global headquarters of the consultancy will remain in New York, where Ray Kotcher, Ketchum’s worldwide CEO, Rob Flaherty, Ketchum’s worldwide President, and Rob Lorfink, worldwide COO and CFO, are based. The European headquarters will be located in Düsseldorf, where Timo Sieg, CEO of Europe, is based. Timo will also have an office in London where David Gallagher, European President, and Mark, CFO, are based.
Q: What is the future branding globally? In Europe? In single countries?
A: Ketchum will continue to serve as the global brand of the firm. In the United Kingdom and across continental Europe, offices will be branded as Ketchum Pleon. A logo combining both Ketchum’s and logos will be used in Europe.
Q: Just how large will the new, combined consultancy become?
A: 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. This will enable us to provide consistent strategic communications in every region, including North America, Latin America, Asia, the Middle East, and Central and Eastern Europe.
