Integrated Public Relations At Omnicom
Omnicom Builds a more Integrated PR Umbrella At the end of February Omnicom, one of the world’s largest communications holding companies promoted Karen Van Bergen from her position as CEO of Porter Novelli, one of the PR companies under the Omnicom umbrella, to CEO of the whole enchilada – Omnicom Public Relations Group, still under the larger Omnicom umbrella, but integrating all of their PR companies into one branch.
The new PR group will include all of the 10 major PR firms in Omnicom DAS Group. This group will oversee 6,000 employees within all the firms. There are those who think this wont work – and this is a fancy way of reorganizing the struggling Porter Novelli PR unit.
The 10 PR agencies that will be included in Omnicom PR Group are Ketchum, Porter Novelli, FleishmanHillard, Portland, Marina Maher, Gplus, Cone, CLS Strategies, Paul Wilmot Communications, and Mercury. All 10 will continue as separate agencies but will work together providing clients that deeper talent as needed.
The biggest enchilada at Omnicom, John Wren, President and CEO of Omnicom Group, says, “Omnicom Public Relations Group expands our integrated service offerings with an increased focus on acquisitions and recruiting top talent, in response to changing client needs and new technologies that are transforming our industry. Together and as strong independent brands, this group provides the best of the best in the business – from talent and ideas to innovation and creativity – for the benefit of our employees, clients, shareholders, and partners.”
Van Bergen has extensive experience in PR and leadership. Serving as CEO, and before that as NY office managing director, of Porter Novelli, FleishmanHillard, where she was a Sr. Partner, Sr. VP, and global lead for OneVoice, She also worked at McDonald’s in Europe for more than 13 years.
