Ray Kotcher

During his tenure, he has overseen the expansion of the firm's global client-service footprint, as well as the broadening and deepening of Ketchum's offerings. In 2009, he led one of the largest mergers in the PR industry when Ketchum and Pleon, Europe's largest strategic communications consultancy, combined operations. In 2010, he continued the firm's global expansion with major investments in the Middle East and Russia, followed by, in 2011, China and India. Ray also has helped the agency grow its range of offerings through the acquisition of five complementary businesses – as well as through the organic creation of five specialized communications businesses – which have strengthened Ketchum's expertise in such areas as change management, sports and entertainment, and word-of-mouth marketing. According to PRWeek’s most recent Agency Business Report, today Ketchum is ranked number four worldwide. Under his leadership, Ketchum has continued its award-winning record of excellence. In March of 2012, PRWeek honored Ketchum as its Agency of the Year for the second time during Ray's tenure as CEO. In 2011, Ketchum and its clients were recognized with PRWeek's Campaign of the Year, marking an unprecedented third consecutive time an agency has won this honor. Ketchum's work with clients has received two PR Cannes Lions, and it maintains the record as the firm with the most Public Relations Society of America Silver Anvils. Ray also has numerous personal and industry distinctions. He currently serves on the executive committee and board of trustees of the Arthur W. Page Society as well as on the board of trustees of the PRSA Foundation. In 2008 and 2009, Ray was chair of the Council of Public Relations Firms. In 2011, he received the Holmes Group's highest individual honor, the SABRE Individual Achievement Award. In 2012, Ray was awarded the Public Relations Society of America’s Gold Anvil, that organization’s highest individual honor for lifetime achievement. Ray has a Bachelor of Arts in English from the State University of New York at Geneseo and serves as a trustee of the Geneseo Foundation board. He has a Master of Science in public relations from Boston University's College of Communication. He delivered that College's 2006 commencement address and has been honored by the University as a distinguished alumnus.