Ketchum Pleon Named One of UK's Top 10 Best Places to Work

LONDON, June 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

- Great Place to Work(R) Institute Recognises Ketchum Pleon London

Great Place to Work(R) Institute UK named leading global public relations agency Ketchum Pleon to its annual "Best Workplaces" list. The rankings, which were released Tuesday to readers of the Guardian and unveiled at a ceremony held last Wednesday evening at the Grosvenor House Hotel, places Ketchum Pleon at No. 10 in the list of the top 50 places to work in the nation, making it the consultancy's sixth appearance on the list. Due to the company's dedicated efforts to create an internationally diverse and experienced company, Ketchum Pleon climbed yet another step towards becoming a truly employee centred organisation by continuing to invest in its people.

To receive this recognition five years running - and to break into the top 10 this year - supports what we've felt all along: that our office is a truly special place," said Avril Lee, partner and CEO, Ketchum Pleon London. "Our colleagues, programmes, and clients continue to make it possible for us to truly distinguish ourselves in the marketplace and for that we are forever grateful."

In return for all the great work and commitment from Ketchum Pleon employees, the company has consistently worked hard to ensure that its employees can get involved in activities enhancing their work environment. These activities includes rewarding pro-bono work through the firm's support to the British Inspiration Trust and hosting its own art show, Art@Ketchum Pleon, where employees are able to showcase their artistic side, and facilitating regular knowledge-sharing sessions including opportunities to work abroad. At the same time, Ketchum Pleon's new Break Through (http://www.ketchum.com/breakthrough) brand positioning, focuses on the removal of barriers across the consultancy, ultimately benefitting employer, employee and client.

Ketchum Pleon London has initiated several policies over the years to encourage a healthy and inclusive work environment throughout its workforce. These programs include its Ride to Work Scheme, where employees make tax-free payments on an agency-purchased bicycle, an open-door policy for pet visits, an industry acknowledged work experience program and the option to participate in numerous extra-curricular activities, such as rounders. Further, Ketchum commits itself to society via a pro-bono partnership with Room to Read promoting global literacy and its employee-developed environmental policy - initiatives that were recognised by public relations industry trade publication, The Holmes Report, when Ketchum Pleon was awarded in May among agency peers in EMEA and North America for its Agency Citizenship programme.

Ketchum was one of six organisations this year to achieve "Hall of Fame" status as a Laureate, meaning it has achieved a place in the top 50 ranking for five consecutive years. Great Place to Work(R) Institute's UK judges stated: "The 87-year-old PR consultancy boasts Kodak, Nokia and P&G among its clients. 2010 was the year Ketchum opened new ways for employees to communicate with each other and the outside world."

The methodology for the U.K. Best Workplaces rankings is based on an evaluation from an employee "Trust Index" survey, and a "Culture Audit" management survey. Employees are asked to evaluate their company's performance based on five key areas: credibility, respect, fairness, pride and camaraderie.

Since 2003, the Great Place to Work Institute Europe has worked with leading European media publications - such as The Guardian and British Airways High Life magazine - to publish annual national lists of best workplaces and the annual List of Best Workplaces in Europe.

About the Best Workplaces Programme

The annual Great Place to Work ranking of the Best Workplaces in the U.K. was first produced in 2001 using the same methodology as that developed by the Great Place to Work Institute in the U.S. The U.K. and E.U. Best Workplaces ranking are published in the U.K. by the national press. Each year, the Great Place to Work Institute produces the Best Workplaces Programme, representing workplaces in 40 countries around the world.

About Ketchum Pleon

Ketchum Pleon is one of the largest, most geographically diverse communications consultancies and the established European market leader. Worldwide, Ketchum has more than 2,000 employees in owned operations and operates in 70 countries with more than 100 owned and affiliated offices. Ketchum is a unit of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE:OMC). Additional information on Ketchum Pleon and its award-winning work can be found at http://www.ketchumpleon.com.