Harrison and Star: 2017
Harrison and Star
75 Varick Street
New York, NY 10013
Telephone: 212-727-1330
Website: harrisonandstar.com
Services Mix
Advertising 50%
Digital 40%
CRM 10%
Client Roster
Axovant
Bausch + Lomb
Bayer
BTG
Daiichi Sankyo
Dream Foundation
Eisai
Family Reach
Genetech
Genoptix
Gilead
Hyacinth
Lexicon
Merck
Novartis
Ocular Therapeutix
Pfizer
Roche
Salix
Teva
According to the leaders at Harrison and Star, even office supplies can be transformed into greatness.
“A simple message of ‘HI’ spelled out in Post-it notes quickly turned into window art war between neighboring companies, grew into a worldwide phenomenon, and eventually became the centerpiece of a philanthropic effort on behalf of military veterans,” executives say. “The ability to turn mere pieces of paper into a global sensation is what sets Harrison and Star apart, and underscores its determination and ability to make the most of every opportunity.”
Remaining relevant in a complex industry characterized by relentless technological, social, economic, and regulatory change means discovering and creating competitive advantages for clients from even the most unlikely of sources, executives say.
“Our drive for constant innovation and collaboration on behalf of the top clients in the industry is at the heart of our sustained success,” says Ty Curran, chairman and CEO. “Sixteen years of consecutive growth is remarkable, and it is a testament to the creative and entrepreneurial spirit of our people.”
With 19 years at Harrison and Star, Co-President Mardene Miller says she embraces a holistic approach to keeping the agency at the forefront of healthcare communications. “By building on the amazing legacy of this organization, we continue to thrive by making constant innovation part of our DNA and by developing new processes and promoting new values,” Miller says. “And most importantly, we are introducing our new vision dedicated to giving voice to health for HCPs, patients, brands, and our staff, which captures the spirit of who we are.”
The Year’s Accomplishments
From top to bottom, employees at Harrison and Star fully embrace the challenge that comes with being the world’s largest healthcare agency focused on medical specialists, according to management.
“Continuing to expand and succeed while remaining nimble and innovative is all about the strength of the shared values and vision that we live by,” says Co-President Mario Muredda. “Our long-term clients see how we constantly evolve, helping them make the most of their opportunities to offer new therapies to HCPs that transform the lives of their patients.”
Harrison and Star continues to support clients working in therapeutic areas with very high unmet needs, which are associated with accelerated regulatory review pathways. “We successfully launched over 20 new products and indications in 2016,” says Marina Jean, managing director. “And the high pace of work will continue in 2017 because clients continue to see the value in how we can shape their brands in the marketplace.”
Executives characterize 2016 as a banner year for recognition of the agency’s work, which reflects Harrison and Star’s emphasis on giving voice to health in the industry and beyond.
“Our pro bono partnership with neurologist Stephen Krieger, M.D., to develop a customizable app that simulates a new topographical model of MS earned the Manny Vision award, a Cannes Lion, and the first ever healthcare agency recipient of the 4A’s Partnership award,” says Chief Creative Officer Mark Friedman. “But our ambition and ultimate satisfaction comes from working to help push the understanding of this and other diseases forward to the benefit of medical specialists and their patients. The awards are great but doing rewarding work is even better.”
Highlights included the launch of Genentech’s next-generation molecule Tecentriq and new indications for Avastin, after 14 years on the market; giving hepatitis C patients and their providers another option with the introduction of Merck’s Zepatier; bringing Eisai’s Lenvima to market for differentiated thyroid cancer and advanced renal cell carcinoma, as well as being awarded the Aloxi business based on the long standing relationship; the launch of Bayer’s Kovaltry for the treatment of hemophilia A; and consecutively launching three new products for Gilead’s HIV franchise – Genoya, Odefsey, and Descovy – with plans to bring another HIV therapy to market in 2018.
Structure & Services
Despite the agency’s high success rate in attracting new accounts and generating organic growth, executives say the key is finding opportunities that are a great fit with Harrison and Star and its people. Agency leadership also understands that as individuals grow in their careers, so too does the business.
Thus, the agency continues to invest heavily in intensive in-house training in all aspects of creativity and strategy, as well as Harrison and Star’s unique mentoring and manager training programs, which help people’s personal and professional growth while advancing their careers at the agency. According to executives,
Harrison and Star’s highly specialized strategic and creative firepower, coupled with its leading technology offerings, poise the agency for sustained growth and success in 2017.
Harrison and Star is the leading healthcare communications agency in the Omnicom network. In addition to its headquarters in New York, there are branch offices in San Francisco and London. Ian Dorrian, based out of the growing London office, serves as global managing director. In addition to Curran, Miller, Muredda, Friedman, Jean, and Dorrian, the leadership team includes: Terese Kung, executive director, strategy and innovation; Charles Doomany, chief financial and operating officer; Robert Gemignani, director of human resources; and Bill Major, director of agency excellence.
Philanthropy/Citizenship
Harrison and Star continues to sponsor various charitable initiatives as part of its vision to help give a greater voice to health for those who are suffering from serious diseases. For many years, the agency has done pro bono promotional work for the Hyacinth AIDS Foundation, an HIV social services organization in New Jersey. Another longstanding program is Caring Hands, which enables agency personnel to volunteer their time and efforts to help a wide range of charities and advocacy programs.
Because of the agency’s commitment to philanthropic efforts, Harrison and Star has been named pro-bono agency of record to Family Reach, which raises and distributes funds to families who are under financial duress owing to the costs of cancer care for a family member, and Dream Foundation, the only national dream-granting group for adults and their families struggling with life-threatening illness. “More recently, agency employees, who were inspired by their work on HIV and PrEP for Gilead, donned condom costumes and took to the streets of Manhattan in December for World Aids Day, distributing free contraception and information cards to help raise awareness about the need for HIV prevention,” executives say. “Now that’s phenomenal.”