Ketchum unveils ‘Break Through Advisory Board’

Omnicom-owned global comms firm Ketchum has appointed a ‘Break Through Advisory Board’ following its formation of a Global Leadership Council (GLC) and Barri Rafferty’s appointment as global president.

The Advisory Board is charged with ‘challenging, provoking and inspiring’ new ways of doing business, and advising on new trends such as emerging technology, new content platforms, products and services, collaboration opportunities and thought leadership.

The board will complement the firm’s newly formed GLC, comprised of 20 senior Ketchum leaders. The Advisory Board will work closely with the GLC and the firm’s partner group, and will report to Rob Flaherty, Ketchum’s chairman and CEO.

The 10-member Break Through Advisory Board consists of five women and five men, selected from all levels of the global agency through an open application process. Members include Asya Soskova, director of organisational development, based in Moscow and Adriana Toledo, brand marketing practice leader, based in São Paulo. See the full list here.

Flaherty said: “When we launched the Global Leadership Council, I wanted to uncover our brand enthusiasts, our entrepreneurs and our disruptors to ensure we tap into the energy that pulses throughout the agency so we can bring our best to our colleagues, our clients and the industry. The sheer number and quality of applications for the Break Through Advisory Board underscored for me that our future is in good hands.”

He added: “Ketchum has embarked on a year of tremendous transformation in 2016, having named a new worldwide president, a chief operating officer in Europe, and a new CEO across all of our German offices. Now, as we elevate even more diverse voices across our network and at all levels, I am eager to see these individuals contribute new thinking and help us develop innovative ways to better serve our clients.”