Public relations firm Ketchum has "ended the bulk of its work" for the Russian Federation in the U.S. and Europe amid "continuing tensions between the country and Western governments," according to Washkuch & Nichols of PR WEEK. The Omnicom Group firm represented the Kremlin through its hosting of the Winter Olympics in Sochi last year "but also as its relationship with the West strained over the country's role in the conflict in Ukraine." Ketchum said in a statement, "Ketchum no longer represents the Russian Federation in the US or Europe with the exception of our office in Moscow. Our partner in the consortium, [Omnicom subsidiary] GPlus, continues to operate under the terms of the contract." Ketchum was paid nearly $23M by the Russian federation from '06 through mid-'12, according to ProPublica, as well as $17M by energy firm Gazprom. The firm "declined other comment on the matter." Ketchum said it received fees of more than $773,000 during the six-month period ending in November through its Ketchum Ltd. affiliate in the U.K. (PR WEEK, 3/11). O'DWYER'S' Kevin McCauley reported Ketchum "attracted much criticism for the representation," especially in the aftermath of President Vladimir Putin's annexation of Crimea, invasion/occupation of eastern Ukraine and "open scorn" of the U.S. and its NATO allies. Ketchum reported no activity during the period for Gazprom. The duo combined for $5.4M in outlays for the "comparable year ago period." They spent $4.1M for the half-year May 31, 2014 ended period (O'DWYER'S, 3/12).
