August 5, 2008: ICON International Communications announced today the signing of an exclusive affiliate agreement to form a strategic alliance in Australia and Singapore with Ketchum, one of the world's leading public relations agencies and a unit of Omnicom Group (NYSE: OMC). The partnership will enable the two firms, which already work together on client assignments for blue chip brands, to provide national, regional and global support to clients.
“ICON adds deep expertise in two key geographic markets and a professional approach that aligns exceptionally well with Ketchum,” said Jerry Olszewski, senior partner and chief client officer, Ketchum. “Beyond the vitally important client service that ICON provides in Australia and Singapore, we intend to work with the firm’s senior leaders to define a Southeast Asia expansion strategy, which will mark the next phase of Ketchum’s development in the Asia-Pacific region.”
“ICON’s senior executives and Ketchum Greater China CEO Kenneth Chu have worked together in various businesses for nearly 20 years,” Olszewski added. “This long relationship and their vast knowledge of the Asia Pacific marketplace enable us to hit the ground running with a fully integrated regional offer for clients.”
Founded in Sydney in 2000 and dubbed a “startup star” in 2005 when it was recognized as one of Australia’s most successful and fastest-growing firms by Business Review Weekly, ICON “has since grown into one of the [region’s] leading independent [strategic] communications consultancies” according to the inaugural Holmes Report 2008 Asia Report Card. The firm opened its Singapore office in 2005.
“Ketchum has built a reputation for innovation and sound business thinking that matches our own,” said Phil Burfurd, chairman and chief executive officer, ICON. “We are excited to leverage our experience in the region to build upon this foundation.”
“The fit is perfect and the timing is right for ICON to align itself with one of the world’s leading public relations agencies,” Burfurd said.” ICON and Ketchum share similar business philosophies, company cultures and approach to client service. We are on the same page in relation to harnessing the opportunities that exist in the expanding Asia Pacific markets beyond China and Japan.”
Ketchum’s and ICON’s respective core businesses include a corporate practice, with industry best practice crisis management and change management offerings, and consumer (brand) marketing practices for sectors such as aviation, technology, financial services, professional services, packaged goods, food and beverage, and pharmaceuticals.
ICON will remain an independent, privately held company within the agreement. The management team will include Phil Burfurd, who, having been a journalist and senior corporate communication professional at a number of large multi national companies for more than 40 years, will continue as chairman and chief executive officer. ICON co-founder Chris Gray, who has 17 years experience as a journalist and senior agency leader, and John Bailey, who has worked in more than 50 countries worldwide in a 22-year career as a journalist and PR practitioner, will continue as managing directors of the Sydney and Singapore operations, respectively. Working at board and senior management level for a number of high-profile multinational brands, ICON has developed an international reputation in brand and corporate positioning, corporate change and organizational management, reputation and issues management, international media relations, public affairs, market expansion, and marketing communication.
Ketchum’s Jon Higgins, who was recently appointed senior partner, international, will work with ICON to grow Ketchum’s presence in this region.