Michael O'Brien

Michael O’Brien is Chief Strategy Office at Ketchum, focusing on the firm’s immediate and long-term global business strategies. He leads client experience globally and also coaches client directors across the global network helping solve client challenges, training to promote best practices, managing agency effectiveness — all with the goal of maximizing every Ketchum client engagement. 

This is Michael’s second stint with Ketchum.  Previously he headed Brand Marketing at Ketchum New York.  Some of the accounts under his direct leadership included the Eastman Kodak Company and Visa USA.  During his tenure, Michael’s teams won every major public relations industry award including PR Week Awards, PRSA Silver Anvils and Holmes Report Sabres. Prior to returning to Ketchum, Michael spent four years at Cohn & Wolfe, as the director of the Global Consumer and B2B Practice and the general manager of the agency’s New York office. He served as a senior counselor to many clients including Nike, Ford and Panasonic.  

Michael also served as the director of Global Communications at Mastercard International.  In this position Michael managed global communications strategy and implementation for consumer credit, business payments and e-commerce products.  He also spent five years in various account roles at Ogilvy Public Relations. 

He received a B.A. in Communications from Marist College.  Michael is currently serving as Chairman of Marist College’s Lowell Thomas School of Communications Advisory Board.