Ketchum, the global PR firm bought by Omnicom in January, is on the
acquisition trail and has had talks with Scope Communications over a
possible deal.
Ketchum European director Jerry Olszewski, who is leading the talks,
would not comment on negotiations but said: ‘It is no secret that we are
interesting in changing the look of the agency.’
He said Ketchum sees London as one of three ‘gateway markets’ along with
New York and Hong Kong.
According to Olszewski the London office already has healthcare,
consumer and hi-tech operations but lacks the ‘depth and breadth’
required.
Scope, a consumer and corporate specialist, ranks as number 27 in PR
Week’s Top 150 table, with a fee income of pounds 2,669,541 and 49
staff.
Meanwhile, Citigate, Fleishman-Hillard and advertising agency Abbott
Mead Vickers are also believed to be hunting for consumer, healthcare or
hi-tech PR specialists.
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