AGENCY.COM Acquires Ketchum Interactive in San Francisco

AGENCY.COM, a New York City-based interactive relationship management firm, said it is acquiring Ketchum Interactive, a San Francisco-based Internet and digital media communications company.

The company said the agreement is expected to extend AGENCY.COM's presence to the West Coast, while strengthening its overall position in the new media marketplace. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"This move fortifies AGENCY.COM in the interactive marketing and communications industry," said Chan Suh, chairman and CEO of AGENCY.COM, Ltd. "We'll now be able to further address our clients' needs, as well as combine the two companies' resources and expertise in creating and delivering a wide range of successful online marketing and communications services."

Ketchum Interactive, founded in 1993, has developed interactive communications for clients such as Pacific Bell, Netscape Communications, Bank of America, California Almond Board, Robert Mondavi Winery, Acuson and Meyer Sound Laboratories.

Bob Johnson at Ketchum will become president of the San Francisco office and the current management team will continue to lead the organization; however, the name will be changed to AGENCY.COM, San Francisco.

AGENCY.COM clients include Air Miles, American Express, British Airways, GTE, Hitachi America, Lucent Technologies, MetLife, and Monsanto. AGENCY.COM also has offices in Dallas and London.