MEXICO CITY—Ketchum has signed an exclusive agreement with Alterpraxis, a prominent Mexican public relations firm led by four partners and co-founders: Jorge Acosta, Leticia Mar, Andrea Perello and Gabriella Villa. Alterpraxis provides a comprehensive range of strategic communications services, including consumer marketing, corporate communications, healthcare public relations, public affairs, technology public relations, issues and crisis management, and legislative and community affairs.

NEW YORK—Chandler Chicco Companies, part of inVentiv Health, has formed a strategic alliance with Newlink Group, an independent, integrated communications firm serving Hispanic and multinational clients in the United States and in Latin America. Newlink brings multicultural expertise and skills in research, strategic planning, creative development, issues management, and communications programs.

MIAMI—Public Relations Global Network has elected Uwe Schmidt, CEO and co-owner of Industrie-Contact of Hamburg, Germany as its new president. Schmidt will lead the worldwide network of 47 independently owned firms on six continents. Other appointments include Ed Stevens, owner of Cleveland-based Stevens Strategic Communications, who has been named president-elect. Joe Ledlie of Atlanta’s The Ledlie Group continues as treasurer and CL Conroy of Miami’s Conroy Martinez Group continues in the role of secretary.

BOULDER, CO—Metzger Associates, a technology public relations and digital marketing agencies, is changing its name to Metzger Albee Public Relations. The change recognizes the contribution of Doyle Albee, whose firm Metzger Associates acquired in 2005.