NEW YORK — Ketchum has launched a new suite of services designed to help businesses in the health sector identify the root causes of business challenges and create communications strategies to surmount them. Vital Health offers the range of Ketchum’s expertise in health-related marketing and communications, as well as its new Vital diagnostic tool that uses advanced predictive analytics.  

NEW YORK — SKDKnickerbocker has created a practice division dedicated to working with the country’s leading philanthropic organizations. The foundations and philanthropy practice will provide strategic insight into how foundations can best leverage their influence and expertise on behalf of their grantees, major initiatives and institutional mission. The practice will provide communications support for grantee portfolios, develop and execute communications plans for major foundation-led initiatives, provide general support for foundation communications offices and develop influence and thought leadership strategies for program officers and executive leadership.

SAN FRANCISCO — Ditto PR has rolled out two new practices — crisis communications and tech policy relations. The new practices will be led by Blain Rethmeier, who previously headed Edelman’s West Coast crisis and risk practice. Blain will be supported by a team of crisis and policy relations PR veterans.

SAN JOSE, CA — Jonathan Bloom (pictured), the co-founder of CEO of McGrath/Power Public Relations, has been elected as the global marketing chair of Worldcom Public Relations Group. Kathryn Walker, a McGrath/Power partner and SVP of client services, has been selected incoming chair of the Americas region, a position previously held by Bloom.

CLEVELAND — Communications vet Dave Loomis has launched a new firm, Loomis Marketing, which specializes in using data to help B2B companies improve marketing strategies and drive organic growth. The firm also trains B2B companies in voice-of-customer (VOC) techniques, a growing field that fuels innovation and product development. Loomis previously worked as internal consultant for NACCO Industries, a marketing consultant for the Richmark Group and a media specialist at Leo Burnett Advertising in Chicago.