Golin, Ketchum complete merger, launch combined agency under new brand

United Kingdom – Golin Ketchum has officially launched as the combined communications agency formed through the merger of Golin and Ketchum, marking the completion of the integration of the two firms under a unified brand identity and operating model.

The new agency will provide communications services across brand and consumer marketing, corporate affairs, health, technology, and food, agriculture and nutrition. It will operate through a global network of offices and specialty practices.

Matt Neale has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Golin Ketchum, while Tamara Norman will serve as President.

“Golin Ketchum was formed with a clear ambition to shake up the agency landscape with unmatched creativity and category expertise,” said Neale. “For our clients, this means access to world-class resources and integrated capabilities. For our people, it means career-defining opportunities and the chance to do the best work of our lives, for the greatest clients in the world.”

According to the agency, the decision to launch under the Golin Ketchum name was made to reflect the histories and reputations of both organisations.

“We considered a range of options, but ultimately the strongest choice was the simplest one,” Neale said. “Both Golin and Ketchum have built strong relationships with clients and strong reputations in the market. Bringing the names together honors that history while reflecting the future we’re building as one organisation.”

The agency said its operations will be guided by principles focused on creativity, curiosity, and collaboration. Its stated purpose is: “Together, we’ll do the best work of our lives and create change that matters.”

As part of the launch, Golin Ketchum introduced a new visual identity featuring a signature color palette centered on “Flare,” a red-orange shade intended to represent the agency’s ambitions and direction. The branding also includes a new mark based on the agency’s initials, designed for use across its practices, sectors, and geographic markets.

“This isn’t simply a brand launch. It’s our declaration of intent,” said Neale. “Golin Ketchum offers clients the most awarded creative team in the world underpinned by a relentless curiosity and the most effective AI and data solutions. We embody the apex of human creativity and next generation technology.”

Golin Ketchum said it will continue operating through local market teams supported by specialised practices and industry expertise. Existing client teams and relationships will remain in place, while clients will gain access to the combined agency’s broader talent base, capabilities, and technology resources.

The merger was first announced earlier this year, with Omnicom Public Relations (OPR) restructuring their portfolio that included the two agencies. In a previous memo seen by MARKETECH APAC, OPR said the Omnicom-IPG acquisition “created an opportunity for OPR to define what a modern PR and communications organisation should look like” and that the changes mark OPR’s “next phase of evolution”.