Ketchum Pleon Marks Merger Milestone in Germany

MUNICH, Oct. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Ketchum Pleon, the leading global communications consultancy in Europe, today announced it has completed its merger in Germany with the integration of its businesses in Munich. This union further reinforces Ketchum Pleon's leading position in the German market and is one of the final steps in Ketchum's merger with Pleon. The consultancy in Germany also has businesses in Berlin, Bonn, Dresden, Frankfurt, Dusseldorf and Stuttgart.

Also announced were three new senior management roles. Simone Hoch, partner and formerly head of Pleon's Munich office, has been named managing partner of the merged Ketchum Pleon operation in Munich. Sabine Stadel-Strauch, partner and formerly CEO of Ketchum's Munich office, has been promoted to a newly created role as head of European client service, Ketchum Pleon. Additionally, Petra Sammer, partner and formerly managing and creative director of Ketchum Germany, has been promoted to chief creative officer for Ketchum Pleon Germany.

As managing partner, Ketchum Pleon Munich, Hoch becomes responsible for client satisfaction and the overall growth and business development of the office. She will report to Ketchum Pleon Germany's executive board. Stadel-Strauch will work closely with Hoch on transitioning employees and clients to the newly integrated operation before taking on her expanded European client service role on Jan. 1, 2011.

In her new role, Stadel-Strauch will be responsible for client satisfaction, growth, retention and the overall Ketchum Pleon client experience throughout Europe. She also will ensure that the agency drives client success by accessing Ketchum Pleon's full portfolio of products, services and global capabilities. Stadel-Strauch will report to senior partner and president of Ketchum Pleon Europe, David Gallagher, and will work closely with Jerry Olszewski, senior partner and Ketchum's global chief client officer. 

As chief creative officer, Sammer will shape Ketchum Pleon's approach to harnessing the talents from within the consultancy's creative culture to meet emergent client needs. Additionally, she will examine global business trends and seek to capitalize on them by bringing new communications products and services to market.

"We are extremely pleased to see the completion of the Ketchum Pleon merger in Germany and are confident that our employees and clients will realize the benefit of the joint operation," said Timo Sieg, senior partner and CEO, Europe, Ketchum Pleon. "We're also delighted to have Simone at the helm of the Munich office. Her proven ability in delivering for clients and creating a positive work environment make her ideal for the director position."

Gallagher said: "I am delighted to have talent of Sabine and Petra's caliber, experience and grace in two critically important positions for the company. Sabine's appointment reflects the value we place on client relations, the new opportunities created by the merger, and the confidence we have in her skills and approach. Petra's long track record helping teams deliver strategic and creative communications programs with measurable impact will go a long way in growing and maintaining the combined firm's creative capital."

The Ketchum and Pleon merger resulted in two strong businesses based in Munich. Ketchum Pleon will operate alongside Emanate, an Omnicom Group and Diversified Agency Services brand, which enters the market with some of the former Ketchum and Pleon employees.

Ketchum Pleon Munich, well-regarded for its brand marketing and corporate communications, healthcare, and change management expertise, becomes one of the largest of the firm's offices in Europe and will service several network clients across multiple geographies.

Ketchum Pleon Munich is located at Theresienhohe 12, Munich, 80339.

About Ketchum Pleon

Ketchum Pleon is one of the largest, most geographically diverse communications consultancies and the established European market leader. Worldwide, Ketchum has more than 2,000 employees in owned operations and operates in 70 countries with more than 100 owned and affiliated offices. Ketchum is a unit of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC; www.omnicomgroup.com). Additional information on Ketchum Pleon and its award-winning work can be found at www.ketchumpleon.com.

SOURCE Ketchum

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