McCann Health 2014 - PharmaLive

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When McCann Health was named Healthcare Agency Network of the Year at the 2013 Global Awards for creating the world’s best healthcare and wellness advertising, the network achieved another milestone on its mission, according to executives.

Leaders say the award was testimony to the strength of the network and the integrity of its businesses spanning North America, Latin America, APAC, and Europe – 61 strong agencies in 19 countries.

McCann Health remains the world’s most connected and influential communications agency system, driving health outcomes for patients and communities, and commercial outcomes for its clients, executives say.

“In taking the words global, network, and health in their true and broadest meaning, McCann Health has redefined the offer for clients in the world of health with a leadership view,” says John Cahill, global CEO of McCann Health.

The Year’s Accomplishments

Executives say the list of impressive accomplishments continues with more than 118 accolades including 25 Globals, 30 Rx Club, 12 CLIO Health, and 13 IPA awards – plus being named a finalist in the Webbys.

“Our creative product shines through,” says Jeremy Perrott, executive creative director of McCann Health. “I am excited about what our people, together with our clients, have achieved this year.”

Recognition and financial success went hand-in-hand for McCann Health this year, network leaders say.

McCann Torre Lazur (see profile on page 84) reported more than 30 percent revenue growth, the result of more than 20 new account wins and 12 launch accounts. Digital revenue more than doubled in 2013 with more than 40 percent of revenue from ex-U.S. business. Key drivers included increased efforts on various brands from AstraZeneca, BoehringerIngelheim, GlaxoSmithKline, and Teva. McCann Torre Lazur also launched a full-service patient engagement practice rooted in behavioral science.

McCann Echo Torre Lazur (see profile on page 80) welcomed new leadership and continued its aggressive revenue growth by more than 20 percent. Eisai awarded the Belviq business, which represented McCann Echo Torre Lazur’s first agency of record assignment focused on patients. The agency also continued partnering with Galderma Laboratories, ViiV Healthcare, Novo Nordisk, EMD Serono and Pfizer.

2013 was a year of revitalization for McCann Regan Campbell Ward (see profile on page 82). The agency installed a new leadership team and moved into newly designed space within McCann Worldgroup headquarters. With the changes, McCann Regan Campbell Ward strengthened its partnership with Alexion, BoehringerIngelheim, and Millennium.

McCann Managed Markets (see profile on page 133) reported 24 percent revenue growth through organic growth at long-standing clients such as Genentech and new business wins at GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, AstraZeneca, and Actavis. McCann Managed Markets continues to expand its portfolio of business by working collaboratively with McCann Health professional agencies as their payer marketing partner.

Double Helix, with new CEO Charlie Buckwell of McCann Complete Medical, is positioned well for continued growth. New collaborative opportunities will be leveraged to allow for expanded offerings to its respective client bases.

McCann HumanCare continued its partnerships with BoehringerIngelheim, EliLilly, GlaxoSmithKline, Takeda, Lundbeck, and Merck. Novartis was added to the roster and the relationship with Kowa expanded steadily. In November, new President Leo Tarkovsky was welcomed, bringing a wealth of Rx and OTC experience from J. Walter Thompson.

Using its truly global footprint, connectivity, and close collaboration, McCann Health has set out to bring positive change through McCann Global Health to places where it is so desperately needed, executives say.

Structure And Services

Investment in 2013 by McCann Health reflects change within the healthcare communications landscape with particular markets and skill sets seeing increasing focus and importance, executives say.

With expanding demand and interest in the Latin American markets, the local insight and renowned creative of Preview McCann in Brazil and AMKHealthcare in Mexico have been immersed into the network.

2013 saw the conclusion of the acquisition of Medical Media Services. The Italian agency is a leader in the market with a speciality in digital and medical communications.

McCann Health also joined forces with Hong Kong-based health communication agency TT Healthcare to create TT McCann Health. An energetic agency with a nimble and advanced approach, it adds to the geographical reach and weight of digital capability in APAC, management says.

Future Plans

McCann Health’s expanding global capability embraces more than advertising excellence, executives say, adding that it is a seamlessly integrated product and service offering that incorporates market research, market access, market shaping, translational activities, branded communications to healthcare professionals and consumers, and public health initiatives for its clients.

According to network leaders, a catalyst for these capabilities is Amar Urhekar, president of McCann Health in the Americas. This is a critical region for the McCann Health network, encompassing the United States as well as Canada and Latin America.

Executives say Urkehar brings global perspective and innovative thinking wrapped in a bold energy to the American business, the same energy that saw unprecedented growth in the Asia Pacific regional network. Under his leadership, the region grew to 14 offices across 9 countries, each with a visionary offering. As a result, McCann Health in the Asia Pacific was named Specialized Agency of the Year for the past four years.

The full global leadership team of McCann Health consists of John Cahill, Jeremy Perrott, and David Bachman, chief finance officer, each with overall global responsibility.

Global reach is represented in the three regions by Urkehar; Michel Nakache, executive VP for Europe; and Mark Worman, executive VP for APAC. Worman also takes responsibility for marketing in his joint role as global chief marketing officer.

Due to necessity for separation, McCann Health specialist agencies are led not by geography but by discipline. Charlie Buckwell, CEO, leads McCann Complete Medical and Double Helix with Andrew Schirmer, president of McCann Global Health.

With a strengthening in leadership, McCann Health has renewed its commitment to progress in a continuously evolving healthcare marketplace, ensuring the growth and vitality expected of a market leader, executives say.

“In this way, what health means and how health impacts the lives of people around the world – be they consumers, patient or healthcare professionals – can be identified in a more meaningful way,” Cahill notes, adding that with greater connection and understanding at a local level, McCann Health can engage in a more meaningful way globally.

Philanthropy/Citizenship

From its pledge in 2012 to provide a substantial and ongoing contribution to charities and other NGOs working in the global public health spheres, all McCann Health agencies are engaged to enhance public health programs that help and improve outcomes for those who perhaps need it most in the world, executives say.