Jo-Ann Robertson Departs Ketchum

(MENAFN- PRovoke) LONDON - Jo-Ann Robertson, Ketchum's CEO of global markets, is to leave the Omnicom agency after 14 years, PRovoke Media can reveal.

Robertson joined Ketchum in 2011 as UK MD of corporate and public affairs, having previously spent eight years at Weber Shandwick, latterly as UK head of corporate and public affairs.

She became deputy CEO of Ketchum London in 2015, before being promoted to CEO in London two years later. Robertson took on her first global role in 2021 , adding global client solutions to her remit, and then being elevated to the new role of CEO of global markets – covering all markets outside the US, including Brazil, Canada, Belgium, Austria and Germany – in 2022.

In 2024, Robertson was the president of the PR Lions jury at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity.

Robertson's next move will be announced soon. She told PRovoke Media:“I am incredibly proud of the team, clients, innovation and growth that I have led at Ketchum over the past 14 years. I could never have imagined the opportunities and experiences I would have when I first walked through those pink doors. I have got to work with the best clients and people, delivering career defining work.

“Whilst it was the hardest decision to leave, I am so excited for my incredible new role and for all that is to come in this new chapter.”

Omnicom global CEO Chris Foster confirmed Robertson's departure and told PRovoke Media:“I'm working closely with Ketchum's leadership team and Jo-Ann on her thoughtful transition out of the business, and she will continue to support the agency and our clients well into 2026. I remain excited about Ketchum's future as we build on its momentum, welcome new talent and position the agency to be an even stronger partner for our clients in its next phase of growth.”

The move is the second senior departure from Ketchum in recent weeks: in July, global CEO Mike Doyle announced he was leaving the agency after five years in the role, with the search for a permanent replacement underway.

With Robertson's forthcoming departure, US CEO Tamara Norman – a 30-year Ketchum veteran who was appointed to the role in September 2024 – is the most senior leader at the agency. Norman's predecessor, Jim Joseph, moved to sister agency FleishmanHillard earlier this year as global head of brand impact.

In August last year, Sera Holland was named as CEO of Ketchum London , after joining the firm as deputy CEO in 2021. Her appointment followed the departure of Ruth Allchurch , who parted ways with Ketchum London after three months in the leadership role.

Other prominent senior people moves at the UK operation over the past two years include the appointment of Noor Kheir as UK managing director of corporate, Estelle Boon as consumer brand MD and Bibi Hilton as chief client officer for global markets , and the departure of Koray Camgöz to take up the CEO role at the Taylor Bennett Foundation .

According to Omnicom's latest quarterly report , revenue from its PR agencies, which also include Porter Novelli, were down 9.2% in Q2 this year.

In March this year, Omnicom's shareholders approved the marketing group's acquisition of Interpublic (IPG) , which owns The Weber Shandwick Collective, Golin and Current Global. The deal, when it is completed, will create the world's largest marketing holding company, ahead of Burson and Ogilvy owner WPP, and Publicis.

Ketchum was named as one of the 50 Best Agencies in the UK and Continental Europe by PRovoke Media earlier this year.

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