Today, Ketchum, the world’s sixth largest PR group, launches a dedicated sports PR and marketing unit, Ketchum Sports Network. With headquarters in London and New York, KSN will offer clients strategic counsel and insight into the business of sport across the globe.

The London HQ will be headed up by former adidas Global PR manager, Steve Martin. Ann Wool, a former senior consultant with Edelman New York’s sports marketing practice, will head up the US offices.

KSN has a client list across sport including many of the world’s top brands such as Carlsberg (Liverpool, FA and UEFA sponsorships), Pepsi (sponsorship of Manchester United and star players including David Beckham, Juan Sebastian Veron, Rivaldo) and MG (Le Mans, Rallying and Touring Cars).

KSN also develops and implements creative PR campaigns for Rover (British Olympic Team, Dream Team Challenge and Combined Events Initiative), Castlemaine XXXX (Rugby League sponsorships), Aberdeen Asset Management (Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race sponsorship) and Burton Menswear (FA and England).

KSN New York also currently co-ordinates campaigns for Visa’s Olympic and NFL relationships, Andersen’s sponsorship of the New York City Marathon and Tropicana’s sponsorship within NASCAR.

Steve Martin, Board Director of Ketchum Sports Network said: ‘Having been on the client side of the business for the past six years working with outside agencies, I felt there was a real need for a credible public relations agency which offered a genuine knowledge of the business of sport – not just a group sport fans who think of and treat sport as a hobby.

‘It is our aim to make KSN the agency where those brands, individuals or events involved in sport get the best all round advice, media contacts, crisis management and creative ideas.’

Ketchum plans to roll out its’ Sports Network in many of the key cities in Europe and Asia over the next 12 months, focusing on those hosting major sports events in the coming years.

Ketchum is part of the Omnicom Group of companies, with offices in 30 countries and 50 locations, with 1500 employees worldwide.

For further information please contact:

Steve Martin,
Board Director, Ketchum Sports Network
London
Tel: 020 7611 3604
Fax: 020 7611 3788
Email: steve.martin@ketchum.com