Ketchum finalizes search for new North America CEO

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Ketchum finalizes search for new North America CEO

NEW YORK: Ketchum is completing a search for a new North America CEO.

The process, which enlisted the help of executive search firm Korn Ferry, was initiated this year. The role reports to Ketchum global president and CEO Mike Doyle.

A version of the position specification, seen by PRWeek, details a search for a seasoned communications executive with about 20 years of experience. The role, which will be tasked with overseeing Ketchum’s North America organization, requires experience leading a global organization of “significant size and complexity.”

Ketchum declined to comment on specifics of the search or the identity of the individual who has been selected for the position.

Jim Joseph, who has served as U.S. CEO and global chief marketing and integration officer, will transition into a new role refocusing his efforts on marketing at Ketchum. He will also take on the chief executive position at Access, a Ketchum subsidiary agency.

“We are finalizing a search for a U.S. CEO,” Doyle said in a statement to PRWeek. “[Joseph] will be refocusing his efforts on marketing and innovation for the agency, as well as taking on the role of CEO of our sister agency, Access. We are excited to deepen the breadth and expertise of our executive team.”

Joseph will continue to report to Doyle in his return to the CMO position and as Access CEO.

Ketchum acquired Access in 2008. Access merged with Omnicom Group sister agency brand Emanate in 2016 to create Access Emanate and rebranded as Access Brand Communications a year later. 

The San Francisco-based tech agency was founded by Susan Butenhoff in 1991, who served as CEO until 2018. On her departure, Access New York GM Bob Osmond and partner and president Matthew Afflixio absorbed her responsibilities. 

Osmond now serves as president of Racepoint Global. Afflixio parted ways with Ketchum at the end of June, the agency confirmed.

Joseph joined Ketchum in 2022 as global chief marketing and integration officer. He assumed the additional U.S. CEO role by June 2023.

Prior to Ketchum, Joseph served as chief customer solutions officer at IPG Health after joining McCann Health in 2020. He worked at BCW for eight years, first at Cohn & Wolfe in numerous global roles, then ultimately as BCW’s global president. BCW merged with fellow WPP agency Hill & Knowlton in June to form Burson.

In July, about 30 staffers at Ketchum were let go as a result of layoffs, which involved individuals in HR and finance, according to sources. Madeline Petschow, a former account supervisor in Ketchum’s technology practice, confirmed job eliminations in a LinkedIn post. Staffers from fellow Omnicom PR Group agencies FleishmanHillard and Porter Novelli also shared news of reductions at their respective firms on social media. 

Last year, Ketchum laid off more than 20 employees in November, one month after its partnership with Fidelity Investments ended. This May, former president of global strategy Michael O’Brien departed the agency after more than 15 years to join 5W Public Relations as global CEO.

Ketchum revenue increased 2% to $609 million globally and $378 million in the U.S. in 2023, according to PRWeek’s Agency Business Report 2024. The agency’s subsidiary shops include Access, Capstrat and Daggerwing Group.

Access is headquartered in San Francisco. The firm’s client portfolio includes Skinny Pop Popcorn, Capital One, Meta, Philips, T-Mobile and Visa, among others, according to Access’ website.

Omnicom Group’s PR firms posted an organic year-over-year revenue increase of 0.9% in Q2 to $418.2 million. Firms within OPRG include FleishmanHillard, Ketchum, Porter Novelli and MMC.

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