Rob Flaherty was promoted from senior partner to president of Ketchum today, announced at the agency's worldwide partner meeting held in Manhattan.

According to the press release, Flaherty is one of eight executives moving up the ladder as part of a global realignment. Flaherty joined Ketchum from Burson-Marsteller nineteen years ago.

According to the description of him when he won Honorable Mention for PRWeek's PR Professional of the Year in 2007:

During his 25-year career, Rob Flaherty, senior partner, has been a key facilitator as PR's role has risen in the marketing mix, the management of corporate reputation, and world affairs. In 2006, he led the on-site team that supported global media relations and issues management before, during, and after the G8 Summit in Russia. He was one of two Ketchum partners to lead agency efforts at the World Economic Forum in Davos. He also counseled several clients on their roles as 2008 Beijing Olympics sponsors. The judges were equally impressed with his vision--Flaherty is well-regarded as one of PR's leading new-media advocates--and leadership. "Rob is someone any young practitioner can look up to," said one judge. "This was a year in which he elevated the entire profession," noted another judge. "He is the ultimate PR pro, hands down."