Smart, creative and highly social, Ketchum's culture is driven by its people and marked by long-term, authentic, close-knit relationships. Ketchum encourages colleagues to pursue outside interests with the same level of passion they have for client work and to integrate interests where it makes sense.
Ketchum supports employee-designed educational, social and cultural programs like in-office meditation, yoga and manicures; health fairs; subsidized bike shares; book clubs; and softball teams and running clubs. While these activities help employees keep their minds and bodies healthy, events like take-your-dog-to-work day, weekly drink carts and summer parties encourage colleagues to take fun seriously at work.
In 2014, Ketchum made bold moves, transferring 102 colleagues to new offices or practices around the global network to marry the needs of its clients with the passions of its employees, and more than 470 employees earned promotions.
This year Ketchum also introduced initiatives to identify unique interests and perspectives from around the network to allow individuals to share their ideas on a grand scale.
Ketchum Spark Tank invited colleagues to submit ideas for how Ketchum can advance its vision to become the world's most valued agency, with the prize being attendance at an upcoming industry conference of their choice. Six finalists presented proposals to a global panel of colleagues and an outside venture capitalist. Two junior consultants from Germany won; however, the judges were so impressed, they decided to dedicate resources to build out the other recommendations as well.
This year Ketchum also launched the inaugural Cannes Contest, and out of 100 applicants, three colleagues were selected for their unique platforms for sharing key learnings from the Cannes Lions festival with the rest of the agency. Through this program, more Ketchum colleagues than ever are attending Cannes in 2015, including those who don’t serve in traditional creative roles.