Myelin Communications: 2016

Myelin Communications

25 Drydock Ave.

8th Floor

Boston, MA 02210

Telephone: 617.330.9393

Website: myelincommunications.com

Executives at Myelin Communications, in defining the network, say, “Scientifically speaking, myelin is the substance that strengthens connections between the brain’s neurons. Creatively speaking, Myelin Communications is what connects the diverse resources, talent, and expertise that, according to Rich Levy, CEO, ‘Allows each of our companies to deliver exceptional work, with value and efficiency, to our clients.’”

Describing the network as a unique network of six distinct companies, executives say Myelin Communications specializes in health and financial services.

According to Levy, while networks have historically been seen as restrictive, slow-moving behemoths, “Myelin was purposely created and built to make certain that each and every company we acquire offers synergistic opportunities to current and future clients. We like to think of ourselves as a ‘releasing’ company as opposed to a holding company.”

Myelin Communications is owned by Chicago-based Baird Capital, the U.S. private equity arm of global financial services giant R.W. Baird & Co.

The year’s accomplishments

Executives say 2015 was “an exciting year for Myelin, as the company continued to fuel growth by teaming up with firms that enable deeper, richer, and more comprehensive service offerings.”

In June, Myelin announced the acquisition of HY Connect, a Chicago-based integrated advertising agency, HYC Health, a Chicago-based healthcare advertising agency, and Dodge Communications, a healthcare public relations firm in Atlanta.

According to Levy, “We acquire companies because of the culture, talent, and experience within the continuum of healthcare that they have. We then make sure that once we bring them into Myelin, we don’t try to change any of the ingredients that have made them so successful.”

Structure and services

According to executives, Myelin Communications manages a strong portfolio of best-in-class agencies, each with a unique focus on communication strategies for payer, provider, medical, financial, and wealth management organizations. The network’s goal is to accelerate the growth of each business, not absorb it, executives say.

The Myelin portfolio of companies currently includes six agencies located around the country: HYC Health, HY Connect, Dodge Communications, PARTNERS+simons, Duet Health, and AVID Design.

According to its leaders, HYC Health is a healthcare advertising agency with its sights set on a singular goal: to produce measurable results that outperform clients’ goals and objectives. Driving the agency toward that goal is Managing Director, Susan Flinn Cobian, an industry veteran with a lifetime of diverse healthcare experience and a knack for getting deep into the minds of clients. “HYC Health offers clients extremely senior-level thinking and creative without the large bureaucratic structure,” Cobian says. “Each and every client is assured of having very senior, experienced leadership involved in his or her day-to-day business.”

HY Connect, headed up by Dave Sheehan, president, is one of America’s fastest growing advertising agencies, executives say, with clients ranging from MB Financial to Wahl to Bakers Square, and offers a full suite of integrated services that include digital, creative, brand strategy, broadcast, paid and social media, SEO/SEM, and research. The agency specializes in understanding the unique challenges facing today’s CMO and delivers solutions tailored to those exact challenges.

Dodge Communications is a leading PR and communications agency focused solely on the healthcare sector, which strengthens brand awareness, enhances thought leadership, and drives sales through strategic, integrated campaigns that are tied to key business objectives. “Being part of Myelin Communications provides an exciting opportunity for our clients and employees,” says Brad Dodge, president and founder of Dodge Communications. “We look forward to exchanging best practices and expertise with such a strong network of firms that share our passion for healthcare.”

PARTNERS+simons, headed up by Rich Levy, president, specializes in health and financial marketing and is fluent in digital and traditional communications—from online, mobile, and social media to direct mail, print, outdoor, and broadcast advertising.

Duet Health, helmed by Jeff Harper, CEO and co-founder, is a healthcare technology company focused on mobile app development for hospitals, health systems, and general healthcare providers to create notable improvements in the overall patient experience. The agency’s solutions are designed to support and enhance the existing doctor/patient relationship with minimal impact to organizational workflow.

AVID Design builds progressive, cutting-edge hospital and healthcare websites, integrated with marketing efforts, including CMS content development and management, to provide a stronger return on investment. Headed up by Tom Brand, president, AVID focuses clients’ digital presence on key messages and differentiating factors with dynamic and interactive content and functionality.

Future plans

Executives say Myelin will continue to look for companies that fit into its unique model and 2016 is already proving to be an exciting year. “At the time this profile was written, Myelin has a very robust pipeline of acquisition targets with several in late stage discussions,” executives say.