In the last year, Ketchum has dramatically increased its presence in the Asia-Pacific region. In January 2011, Ketchum acquired a majority stake in its operations in Greater China, which includes three offices in mainland China (Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai), and offices in Hong Kong and Taiwan. And in April, Ketchum acquired a majority stake in Sampark PR, which includes seven offices across India (Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi and Pune), to further expand the agency’s global reach and advance its client offering in markets with rapidly growing demand for communication services.

A 2011 study of social media usage, conducted by BlogHer in partnership with Ketchum, revealed Hongkongers are spending more time on social media sites and blogs than other major markets around the world, including the United States. The survey findings confirmed social media is playing a role in addressing challenges to work-life balance in Hong Kong. When face time with family and friends is declining, people are going online – and with a smartphone penetration that is double the global average, companies and brands in Hong Kong have a huge opportunity to spark influential conversation and win vocal advocates in the online space.

Ketchum is known for a culture that is highly collaborative, creative and fun. Many of the agency’s “boomerangs” have said of their return to Ketchum, “It feels like coming home.” A central element of Ketchum’s culture is its dedication to employee learning and development, an area in which it has long been recognized as a leader. In 2011, learning and development was bolstered in the region with the addition of Ketchum boomerang Joshua Campbell, who was appointed director of Ketchum University in Greater China, where he develops and manages training programs based on staff needs in the region while also localizing global development programs. In July 2011, several employees from the Asia-Pacific region joined colleagues from around the world at Camp Ketchum in Quebec, Canada, to learn, bond and collaborate over a high-stakes client challenge.

An expanded presence in Asia is an essential focal point for Ketchum’s global vision, as it aims to provide breakthrough communications service in every key financial and media market in which its clients operate. In the last 25 years, Ketchum has increased the breadth and depth of its presence in the Asia-Pacific region, including its recent majority-stake acquisitions in India and Greater China and a wealth of new affiliate partners such as Hakuhodo in Japan, Prain in South Korea and ICON International in Singapore and Australia. Ketchum seeks to continue developing its business in the region with existing clients there, global corporations entering the Asian market, and the increasing number of Asian corporations that are becoming global players. In addition, Ketchum has plans to further develop its public affairs and government relations services in the region.