NEW YORK, January 22—Thomas Barritt, a senior vice president in the New York office of Ketchum, has been named global director of the firm’s newly established issues and crisis network. The network is designed to capitalize on Ketchum’s expertise in crisis communications, ensuring a consistent global approach and facilitating the involvers of counselors with the most relevant experience, no matter where the are located. Barritt will continue to lead the New York issues and crisis team.
 
“Tom Barritt is an exceptional leader in an area where Ketchum’s expertise and our innovative approaches have proven vital to clients facing their most demanding and sensitive business situations,” says Ray Kotcher, the firm’s senior partner and chief executive officer. “Tom will be ensuring that we tap the best expertise and employ the best practices from our global network to deliver a consistent and unmatched level of problem solving to our clients. ” 
 
Barritt, who joined Ketchum from Burson-Marsteller in 1998, has created numerous issues and crisis programs for clients covering product recalls, drug and food safety issues, Internet security, plant closings, critic group activities and preparedness planning.  Most recently, he has counseled clients in emergency and disaster planning following the September 11 terrorist attacks. 

 
He will work closely with Ketchum’s Washington, D.C. based litigation communications team led by Karen Doyne and public affairs led by Anne Forristall, and will report to Mark Schannon, partner and director of Ketchum’s Washington office.