SAN FRANCISCO (Oct. 15, 2012)— The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) has bestowed its highest individual honor, the Gold Anvil Award, on Ketchum Senior Partner and Chairman Ray Kotcher. The award, presented today at the PRSA 2012 International Conference, is PRSA’s lifetime achievement award, given annually to an individual whose work has significantly advanced the practice and standards of public relations.

 
Kotcher joined Ketchum in 1983, and since becoming CEO in 2002, he has overseen the expansion of the firm’s global client-service footprint, as well as the broadening and deepening of Ketchum’s service offerings. He has continued the firm’s global expansion with major investments in the Middle East, Russia and China. He also has strengthened the agency’s expertise in areas such as change management, sports and entertainment and word-of-mouth marketing, and broke new ground in the areas of measurement and evaluation of public relations programs.
 
Twice, under Kotcher’s leadership, Ketchum was named “Agency of the Year” by a leading public relations trade publication.
 
“Throughout Ray’s illustrious career, he has distinguished himself domestically and internationally as a thoughtful practitioner, savvy manager and a PR pro’s pro,” said PRSA chair and chief executive officer Gerard F. Corbett, APR, Fellow PRSA. “Under his leadership, Ketchum has grown and expanded throughout the world, provided opportunities for young professionals to grow and advance in the profession and set standards of creative and service excellence to which others aspire.”
 
In addition to his role at Ketchum, Kotcher serves on the Arthur W. Page Society Board of Trustees and is a past chair of the Council of Public Relations Firms. A distinguished alumnus of Boston University, Kotcher began his career as a high school English teacher, and later passed on an opportunity to study drama at Yale University to pursue a career in public relations.
 
“I have been privileged to work in public relations for more than 30 years, build my career at Ketchum and serve as its CEO,” Kotcher said. “At Ketchum, we believe leaders in the field have a responsibility to further the profession and advance its standards.  To receive this year's Gold Anvil and be included in a group of leaders who have done that — and more — is a great honor.”
  
About the Public Relations Society of America
PRSA is the largest professional organization serving the U.S. public relations community. With a mission to “advance the profession and the professional,” PRSA provides news and information, thought leadership, continuing education and networking opportunities; sets standards of professional excellence and ethical conduct; and advocates for the business value of public relations and greater diversity among public relations professionals. Based in New York, PRSA comprises 112 local Chapters; 14 Professional Interest Sections that focus on specific industries and practice areas; and the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), which is active at more than 320 colleges and universities.