New York: Omnicom Public Relations (OPR) has outlined its new agency structure following Omnicom’s acquisition of Interpublic Group, confirming a merger of Golin and Ketchum and a realignment of Porter Novelli under FleishmanHillard.
Golin, Ketchum to Combine
Golin and Ketchum will merge into a single integrated agency spanning brand communications, health and social innovation. Current Golin CEO Matt Neale will lead the combined entity as CEO, while Ketchum U.S. CEO Tamara Norman becomes global president.
OPR CEO Chris Foster said the merged agency’s name is still under review. “For lack of a better term today, it’s Golin Ketchum,” he said, adding that branding decisions will be made thoughtfully. His intent, he noted, is to retain the equity of both brands.
Porter Novelli to Operate as FleishmanHillard Brand
Porter Novelli will become a dedicated brand within FleishmanHillard, aimed at providing clients faster access to global expertise.
J.J. Carter continues as president and CEO of FleishmanHillard, while Porter Novelli CEO Jillian Janaczek becomes Americas CEO of FleishmanHillard, reporting to Carter. A combined executive leadership team is already in place, with several senior promotions across finance, strategy, growth and integration roles.
“There are no more announcements today, but we’re going to start the work in earnest,” Foster said, adding that further updates will follow in the coming weeks.
Weber Shandwick, Public Affairs Firms Unchanged
There are no changes to Weber Shandwick or MMC. Foster reiterated that Weber is “not up for sale” and continues to operate under its current leadership.
OPR’s public affairs firms — including Mercury, Portland, GMMB, Plus, FP1, Vox Global and Maslansky + Partners — will also continue operating as before.
Client Continuity and Conflict Management
Addressing concerns around potential client conflicts, particularly where Golin and Ketchum operate in overlapping categories, Foster said OPR is engaging clients directly.
“Whenever you have these changes, clients have questions. That’s to be expected. Our goal is to make things easier for clients, not harder,” he said, adding that most clients have been receptive so far.
Foster emphasised continuity: “Clients want stronger, connected and consistent capabilities globally, but they also want uninterrupted workflow. That’s been a priority since the deal announcement.”
Integration Through 2026
The restructuring will unfold in phases through 2026, with Foster describing the move as an opportunity to rethink “what a modern communications capability should look like.”
“We want stronger agency brands, more integrated teams and shared ways of working that improve consistency across markets,” he said. He added that OPR is investing in technology and AI to support growth in areas such as corporate and public affairs.
Financial Context
In Q3, Omnicom’s PR firms reported a 7.5% year-over-year revenue decline to $372.2 million. By contrast, IPG’s PR units, including The Weber Shandwick Collective and Golin, posted low-single-digit growth in the same quarter.
Despite recent job cuts tied to Omnicom’s broader restructuring, Foster said OPR is “operating from a position of strength” and expressed confidence heading into 2026, citing new business momentum and improved alignment across agencies.
