Ketchum and Daggerwing Group Introduce DaggerwingTransACT, Putting Culture First in M&A Deals

NEW YORK, June 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Ketchum and Daggerwing Group, part of the Omnicom Group (NYSE: OMC), today announced the creation of a new service offering, DaggerwingTransACT, an alliance that delivers integrated management consulting and communications services to publicly held companies engaged in mergers, acquisitions, spin-offs and other transactions.

DaggerwingTransACT combines Daggerwing Group's corporate culture, employee engagement and change management expertise with the capabilities of Ketchum's New York-based financial communications specialty, which handles external communications surrounding M&A transactions, spin-offs, new listings, bankruptcies and other corporate communications assignments.

"Too many M&A deals fail to deliver – or actually destroy – value because of issues surrounding corporate culture," said Daggerwing Group CEO Ewan Main. "We believe deals are more likely to pay off for shareholders if intangible assets can be managed with the same clarity and focus as the tangible assets, which is why our new offering with culture first in the value creation process."

Marc Drechsler, partner and head of financial communications at Ketchum, said, "In many M&A transactions, there is an intense focus on 'getting the deal done' with little or no attention paid to the desired outcomes for corporate culture. That's why we have teamed with Daggerwing Group to ensure organizational culture is a consideration from the onset of the M&A process and continues well after the deal is closed. Our approach spans the full lifetime of a deal, from target vetting to the day integration is complete, to ensure it lives up to its value creation promises for all stakeholders."

About Daggerwing Group

Daggerwing Group is a global management consultancy helping executives accelerate growth by optimizing the intersection of business goals, customer needs, and employee experience. The group is based in New York, Toronto, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, London, Dubai and Singapore. For more information about the Daggerwing Group, a Ketchum company, visit www.daggerwinggroup.com.

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.

SOURCE Ketchum