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Raymond L. Kotcher

Senior Partner/Chief Executive Officer

Ketchum

Ray Kotcher is chief executive officer and a senior partner of Ketchum, a top ten public relations agency with 55 worldwide offices and affiliates around the world.

Soon after assuming chief executive responsibilities in June of 2000, the agency developed and introduced the Ketchum Planning Process -- a web-enabled, global approach to account planning, execution and client service that offers clients a seamless consistency no matter where they access the Ketchum brand. It quickly has become a distinguishing characteristic of the agency. In addition, Mr. Kotcher launched Ketchum's groundbreaking intranet portal, myKGN, through which the firm applies technology to operate in real time with clients, create the highest level of internal collaboration and retain and share knowledge. More recently his vision led to the development and launch of the Ketchum ROI Lab, a suite of cutting-edge measurement tools that quantify the value of public relations. His innovative approach to public relations also provided the impetus for Ketchum's proprietary, database-driven Influencer Relationship Management (IRM) program that helps Ketchum clients identify, reach and manage key influencers.

Under Mr. Kotcher's leadership Ketchum was named PRWeek's 2002 Agency of the Year. In 2001, Ketchum and its clients were recognized with an industry-record ten Public Relations Society of America Silver Anvils. In the subsequent two years, the agency's work for clients received an additional 11 Silver Anvils -- bringing to 84 the number of Anvils awarded to Ketchum through its 80-year history, another record for the public relations industry.

During that period, Mr. Kotcher also oversaw three Ketchum acquisitions: The Washington Group, Stromberg Consulting and Corporate Technology Communications, which have significantly added to the firm's industry-leading expertise in government relations, internal behavioral change and communication around change, and technology, respectively. The agency also incubated two successful businesses, Ketchum Entertainment Marketing (KEM) and Concentric Communications. KEM, a highly creative "shop within a shop," helps clients leverage entertainment properties in support of their corporate and brand communication efforts. Concentric specializes in sales force communications and events with an emphasis on motivational meetings and training.

All of this, along with three, consecutive, record-setting new business years, was achieved in the midst of the PR sector's most challenging commercial environment in memory.

As chief executive officer, Mr. Kotcher leads Ketchum's ten-person worldwide executive committee.

He joined Ketchum in 1983 as a vice president, and was promoted to president in 1992. He took over his chief executive responsibilities in June 2000. He frequently speaks and writes on all aspects of public relations, such as the state of the industry, business issues, program execution and client relations.

A member of PR Seminar, the Arthur W. Page Society, The Wisemen and a board member of the Institute for Public Relations, Mr. Kotcher received his B.A. in English from the State University of New York and his M.S. in Public Relations from Boston University 's College of Communication. He has been honored by that school as a distinguished alumnus and currently serves on its executive committee. He also has been recognized by Inside PR as an "Agency All Star."

Mr. Kotcher and his wife Betsy live on Long Island and in Manhattan and have two children, Maris and Gregory. When not working he enjoys his family, friends, boating, cooking, theatre and politics. Occasionally, he squeezes in a game of golf but it is not something he necessarily enjoys.