Ketchum Acquires ICON International Communications Plus More Asia Market

Ketchum, a division of Omnicom Group, has announced the acquisition of ICON International Communications, Singapore’s largest independently owned public relations consultancy. The new entity is to be branded Ketchum ICON. Also in the news, ICON’s Australian and Indonesian operations, still owned and led by Phil Burfurd and Chris Gray, will continue to operate as part of Ketchum’s network.

On the news, Rob Flaherty, senior partner and CEO of Ketchum offered this:

“With an extraordinary growth trajectory, Singapore is a market of significant strategic importance to Ketchum’s multinational client base, many of which have regional headquarters in the country, and it is vital that we continue to evolve our business in a way that complements their needs,” said “We already work closely with ICON to service some of our largest and most geographically diverse clients in the Asia-Pacific region. Operating as part of one firm greatly enhances our combined ability to provide clients with local knowledge and international expertise, service and support.”

This latest acquisition adds to Ketchum’s already significant presence in the Asia-Pacific region. Back in 2011 the firm acquired a majority position in its long-established Greater China operations as well as in India. Then, back in September of this year, Ketchum merged with South Korea-based InComm Brodeur, adding still more resources for key Asian market clients and business. Ketchum’s exclusive affiliation with Hakuhodo in Tokyo, one of the largest integrated marketing firms in Japan, goes still farther in extending Ketchum’s reach across Asia.

For more information on this news we suggest interested readers contact:

Alicia Stetzer, Ketchum, +1-646-935-3910, alicia.stetzer@ketchum.com or Robyn Massey, Ketchum, +44-20-7611-3658, robyn.massey@ketchum.com