Omnicom To Merge Golin And Ketchum, Fold Porter Novelli Into Fleishmanhillard

(MENAFN- PRovoke) NEW YORK - Omnicom is merging Golin and Ketchum to create a single brand agency, a major consolidation inside Omnicom Public Relations Group as the holding company begins reshaping its communications portfolio in the wake of its acquisition of Interpublic.

According to an internal memo today, the combined agency will be led by Golin chief executive Matt Neale as CEO, with Ketchum's Tamara Norman serving as global president. Norman, named Ketchum's US CEO in 2024, has been leading the region since the departure of then-CEO Mike Doyle in July.

The agencies will retain their individual brands during the integration.

In a separate move, Omnicom is folding Porter Novelli into FleishmanHillard, with Porter Novelli becoming a dedicated brand within FleishmanHillard rather than operating as a standalone agency. In the memo, OPRG CEO Chris Foster said the two agencies are closely aligned in corporate affairs, reputation, and purpose and social impact, and that the new structure is designed to connect teams and offerings in a way that makes delivery more consistent across markets.

J.J. Carter will continue to lead FleishmanHillard as CEO. Porter Novelli CEO Jillian Janaczek will serve as Americas CEO.

Foster framed the moves as part of a broader effort to define what a modern PR and communications organization should look like following the IPG acquisition, with the goal of making it easier for clients to access the right expertise quickly across corporate reputation, public affairs, marketing, and growth priorities.

Omnicom said the changes will be implemented in phases through 2026, emphasizing continuity for clients and teams during the transition. The company also said client work will continue without interruption, and that clients will continue working with the agency brands they know, with the same teams and day-to-day relationships.

Omnicom also stressed that several parts of its PR portfolio are not affected by the restructuring. 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 as they do today under the same leadership.

Foster said:“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.”

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