Access News
Ketchum Acquires Fifth Largest U.S. Technology PR Firm, Access Communications
New York and San Francisco, Oct. 30, 2008 – Ketchum, one of the world’s leading public relations agencies, today announced the acquisition of San Francisco-based Access Communications, a firm known for its high-tech and consumer technology work. The acquisition is intended to significantly strengthen Ketchum’s Global Technology Practice and further its client work in the consumer technology segment, while also expanding the agency’s California footprint, expertise and services.
By complementing the 75-strong Access staff with the 120 professionals in the Los Angeles and San Francisco markets that currently make up Ketchum West, the two organizations will leverage each other’s resources and provide clients access to one of the largest agency teams in California.
"Access has earned a superior reputation for winning and retaining leading companies and brands in their space,” said Raymond L. Kotcher, Ketchum senior partner and chief executive officer.
"The addition of Access strengthens the offerings we provide to all of our clients," Mr. Kotcher continued. "Our strategy was to source the best expertise available in technology PR and we found just that in Access, an industry leader. They are out in front of the innovation taking place in the technology sector and can apply their insights across all industries. As impressive, for more than a decade they have been - and continue to be - pioneers in the application of digital media to public relations. These attributes, along with their highly respected leadership team and depth of talent across their 75-member workforce, will provide great additional strategic advantages to our clients."
Through traditional media relations, national product launches, social media campaigns and long-range thought-leadership programs, Access provides clients with integrated PR services in both the online and offline arenas. Access will continue to operate under the Access brand name out of its San Francisco headquarters and New York office.
"Our clients and staff will be well served by our joining Ketchum," said Access President and CEO, Susan Butenhoff. "Our clients will benefit from access to greater domain expertise and comprehensive global services backed by a worldwide PR leader, while our staff will be able to participate in Ketchum’s award-winning professional development programs. This also provides Access a much stronger ability to grow our business and build on our tradition of client service excellence and innovation."
The move represents a homecoming of sorts for Butenhoff, who founded Access in 1991. Butenhoff began her PR career at Ketchum 25 years ago, rising to become a vice president responsible for Ketchum’s San Francisco consumer marketing group.
Twice since 2004, the San Francisco Business Times and the San Jose/Silicon Valley Business Journal named Access "The Best Place to Work in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area." In 2006, The Holmes Report placed Access on its nationwide list of the "Best Midsize Agencies to Work For." For more information, visit the agency’s website at www.accesspr.com.
About Ketchum
A communications innovator, Ketchum ranks among the largest global public relations agencies, operating in more than 50 countries. With five global practices – Brand Marketing, Corporate, Healthcare, Food and Nutrition, and Technology – and specialty areas that include Concentric Communications (experiential marketing, events and meetings), Ketchum Entertainment Marketing, Ketchum Global Research Network, Ketchum Sports Network, MMG (clinical trial recruitment), Stromberg Consulting (change management and workplace communications) and The Washington Group (lobbying and government relations), Ketchum leverages its marketing and corporate communications expertise to build brands and reputations for clients. For more information on Ketchum, a unit of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE:OMC), visit www.ketchum.com.
About Access
Access Communications is a full-service public relations agency that transforms ideas into actions. We can help our clients tell their story to stakeholders in a manner that increases their mindshare, their market share and their bottom line. Over the past decade and a half, we have worked with companies of all sizes. We have helped startups become category leaders, guided clients through IPOs, transformed executives into thought leaders, and helped to build billions of dollars of brand equity for our clients.
A startup itself in 1991, Access Communications has grown into the nation's 18th largest independent public relations firm. Today we employ 75 full-time professionals at offices in San Francisco and New York.
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