NEW YORK—Ketchum has named Paul Rand, who currently leads the firm’s Zócalo Group word-of-mouth operation, to the additional and newly created role of chief digital officer. The move is designed to provide clients with seamless integration of the firm’s digital, social and related services.

Reporting to Ketchum president and COO Rob Lorfink, Rand will continue to lead Zócalo, a digital, social media and word-of-mouth-marketing agency, in addition to Ketchum Digital, the agency’s global digital network and the global media network.

Rand’s direct reports include Zócalo Group’s partner and executive director, Andrea Wood, and executive vice presidents Emily Bader and Stephen Strong; Debra Forman, partner and director of Ketchum Digital North America; and Nicholas Scibetta, partner and director of the Global Media Network.

In addition, Stephen Waddington, who oversees digital and social media in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and China-based digital strategy director, Vivien Teo, will work to coordinate activities with Rand.

Rand joined Ketchum in 2001 when the agency acquired Corporate Technology Communications, the Chicago-based agency he founded that was the largest independent such consultancy in the Midwest. Prior to launching Zócalo Group, he was a partner and global chief development and innovation officer for Ketchum and also served as the director of the agency’s global technology practice and managing director of Midwest operations.