Omnicom is set to merge its global PR firms Golin and Ketchum, marking another major consolidation within the Omnicom Public Relations Group (OPRG) following its acquisition of Interpublic Group (IPG).
According to an internal memo circulated last week, the combined entity will be led by Golin chief executive Matt Neale as CEO, with Ketchum’s Tamara Norman appointed global president. Both agencies will continue to operate under their existing brand identities during the integration phase. It remains unclear which brand name will ultimately be retained and whether the merger will involve job cuts.
The move follows Omnicom’s recent decision to fold Porter Novelli into FleishmanHillard, with Porter Novelli now operating as a dedicated brand within FleishmanHillard rather than as a standalone agency. FleishmanHillard CEO J.J. Carter will continue in his role, while former Porter Novelli CEO Jillian Janaczek has been appointed Americas CEO of the combined operation.
Golin was part of the IPG network prior to the acquisition, while Ketchum, founded more than a century ago, has been an Omnicom agency for over three decades. In the memo, OPRG CEO Chris Foster said the agencies are closely aligned across corporate affairs, reputation management and purpose-led communications, and that the merger is intended to better connect teams and capabilities across markets.
Foster described the restructuring as part of a broader effort to redefine a modern PR and communications organisation in the post-IPG acquisition landscape, enabling clients to access specialised expertise more quickly across corporate reputation, public affairs, marketing and growth mandates.
The changes will be rolled out in phases through 2026. Omnicom said client servicing will continue without disruption, with existing brands, teams and day-to-day relationships remaining in place.
The group also clarified that several parts of its PR portfolio will remain unaffected. Weber Shandwick, MMC and Omnicom’s public affairs firms, including DDC Public Affairs, GMMB, FP1 Strategies, Mercury Public Affairs, PLUS Communications, Portland Communications and VOX Global, will continue to operate under their current leadership structures.
Foster said in the memo “Year one success is straightforward: no disruption to clients and faster access to the right expertise.” “We retain key talent, improve coordination across teams and deliver more consistently across markets. Clients should feel it in how quickly we move and how seamless delivery becomes.”
