Penn State University’s Board of Trustees has enlisted Omnicom Group agency Ketchum for crisis communications counsel, the firm told Ad Age.
The agency selection follows news related to allegations of child sexual abuse charges made against former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky.
Although a number of senior-level administrators at Penn State were subpoenaed about the matter earlier this year, the university brought in Ketchum on Sunday, Nov. 6. That was a day after Mr. Sandusky was arrested and charged with 40 counts of sexual abuse of eight young boys over a 15-year period. Mr. Sandusky abruptly retired in 1999. Shortly after Mr. Sandusky’s arrest, as the story reached a media crescendo, a number of sponsors withdrew their support.
On Nov. 8, the firm assisted with a press conference during which the vice chairman announced that Mr. Paterno and university President Graham Spanier were stepping down.
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