Ketchum Unit to Merge with Daggerwing Group

NEW YORK, Dec. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/-- Today, Ketchum, one of the world's leading communications firms, and Daggerwing Group, a management consultancy, announced the merger of Ketchum's leadership and change management unit, Ketchum Change, with Daggerwing Group. Both agencies are part of Omnicom Group's DAS Group of Companies. The merger is effective Jan. 1, 2017 and the integrated entity will be known as Daggerwing Group.

The merger brings together Daggerwing Group's and Ketchum Change's complementary core capabilities to provide a more competitive end-to-end offering for clients.

"Management consulting at the C-suite level is a lynchpin in our holistic offering for clients, especially at this time of heightened complexity in the marketing and communications industry," said Dale Adams, chairman and CEO, the DAS Group of Companies. "We're pleased to see Daggerwing Group and Ketchum formalize their connection through this merger, creating a simple yet robust offering for clients that combines the strengths and capabilities of both firms."

Rob Flaherty, partner, chairman and CEO of Ketchum, said, "This merger will tremendously deepen and broaden the capabilities of Daggerwing Group and Ketchum Change. Daggerwing Group specializes in C-suite-level consulting, and they have built a solid business around helping clients gain executive alignment on their corporate vision and priorities. They then help those clients manage the organizational, cultural and operational change that occurs with that alignment. That expertise is perfectly complementary to Ketchum Change, which also provides change consulting and then drives the solution through execution of internal communications and employee engagement programs."

Daggerwing Group CEO Ewan Main will lead the integrated firm. He will be joined by a leadership team from both Daggerwing Group and Ketchum Change that includes President Cheryl Ferguson; COO Matt Sinacori; Paul Teuton, partner and EMEA managing director; Michelle Mahony, SVP and North America director; Gretchen Huestis, SVP and Asia Pacific director; and Rich Pacheco, VP and director of finance.

"The value of this integration for Daggerwing Group's clients will be real and immediate, as they will benefit greatly from the depth and breadth of Ketchum's network of services," said Main. "At the same time, we bring to the table a unique skill set that further strengthens Ketchum Change's offering, particularly with our experience developing corporate strategy at the executive level. As an integrated firm we are uniquely positioned to help clients accelerate growth by optimizing the intersection of business goals, customer needs and employee engagement."

Daggerwing will continue to be based in New York, Toronto, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, London, Dubai and Singapore.

About Ketchum 
Ketchum is a leading global communications firm with operations in more than 70 countries across six continents. The winner of 19 Cannes Lions and an unprecedented five PRWeek Campaign of the Year Awards, Ketchum partners with clients to deliver strategic programming, game-changing creative and measurable results that build brands and reputations. For more information on Ketchum, a part of Omnicom Public Relations Group, visit www.ketchum.com.

About Omnicom Public Relations Group 
Omnicom Public Relations Group is a global collective of three of the top global public relations agencies worldwide and specialist agencies in areas including public affairs, marketing to women, fashion, global health strategy and corporate social responsibility. It encompasses more than 6,000 public relations professionals in more than 330 offices worldwide who provide their expertise to companies, government agencies, NGOs and nonprofits across a wide range of industries. Omnicom Public Relations Group is part of the DAS Group of Companies, a division of Omnicom Group Inc. that includes more than 200 companies in a wide range of marketing disciplines including advertising, public relations, healthcare, customer relationship management, events, promotional marketing, branding and research.

About the DAS Group of Companies 
The DAS Group of Companies, a division of Omnicom Group Inc. OMC (www.omnicomgroup.com), is a global group of marketing services companies. DAS includes over 200 companies in the following marketing disciplines: specialty, PR, healthcare, CRM, events, promotional marketing, branding and research. Operating through a combination of networks and regional organizations, DAS serves international, regional, national and local clients through more than 700 offices in 71 countries.

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SOURCE Ketchum