Omnicom Group (NYSE: OMC) owned agency Ketchum and TBWA\RAAD\PR have announced a joint venture agreement covering Middle East operations.

The move isn’t entirely surprising, as TBWA\RAAD\PR has operated as the exclusive affiliate for Ketchum in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) since 2006. The firm has re-branded as Ketchum Raad Middle East, and will operate in 14 cities spanning 12 countries.

“On the one hand, clients are demanding that their agencies deliver efficient and effective service at local and regional levels, and on the other hand it must be integrated globally – across time zones, geographies, languages and cultures,” said Kethchum senior partner and CEO Ray Kotcher in a statement on why the move is important strategically for the agency.