Ketchum wins Kodak European business

JOE LEPPER 22-Feb-02

Ketchum has been handed Kodak's pan-European consumer PR account.

The win cements the agency's role as the photo giant's global consumer PR outfit, after scooping the US, Asia Pacific and global brand strategy accounts last year.

The European account also includes the Middle East and Africa and involves supporting PR efforts for all consumer, corporate, and digital products.

The Ketchum team handling the pan-European brief is led by European director of technology Mark Jackson. He reports to Kodak comms director (corp affairs and consumer imaging) Anne Andersson and Angela Symondson, digital and applied imaging PR manager.

Jackson said: 'The decision has been to have one agency worldwide and across Europe for Kodak in this area.'

One of the first pieces of work will be to support Kodak's presence at the Photo Marketing Association's annual convention, taking place next week in Florida.

Jackson added that Ketchum's appointment would not affect Kodak's relationship with its UK agencies - Republic for consumer imaging and Company Care Communications for digital and applied.

Ketchum won the account following a pitch in December, which is believed to have included two other agencies.

The Asia-Pacific consumer business was won late last year, three months after the US and global brand strategy account wins.

The global account was won by Ketchum following a three-way pitch against Fleishman-Hillard and Ogilvy PR Worldwide.

Ketchum replaced 12-year incumbent Weber Shandwick (PRWeek, 7 September 2001). The split was understood to have been caused by 'differing business and strategic needs'.