Ketchum promotes Rob Flaherty to CEO, Ray Kotcher to chairman

The promotions are a result of the Omnicom-owned agency's long-term plan ‘designed to ensure a seamless management transition’. Both will take up their new roles on 1 July.

Flaherty joined Ketchum in 1989 and was named president in 2008. He will continue to report to Kotcher. Flaherty will focus on client service, strategy, talent and agency culture.

Dale Adams, president and CEO of Omnicom’s diversified agency services group, said: 'Ray champions a commitment to talent development, high-value client service and has strengthened the creative product of the agency.

‘His ability to lead and plan with this group will ensure the transition to Rob will be seamless.’

Kotcher started at Ketchum in 1983, was appointed president of the agency in 1992, and in June 2000 was named CEO. In 2009, Kotcher led the merger of Ketchum and Pleon in Europe.

Kotcher said: ‘The appointment of Rob to CEO has been long planned for and given Rob’s reputation throughout the industry as a respected counselor and strategist, I know it will be greeted with great enthusiasm.’