Publicis Healthcare Communications Group 2014
1675 Broadway, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10019
Telephone: 212-468-4033
Facsimile: 212-468-4021
Website: publicishealthcare.com
Executives say 2013 was a year of transformation for Publicis Healthcare Communications Group (PHCG), which continues its tenure as the world’s largest healthcare communications agency network. Drawing on 10 years of experience, PHCG honed its go-to-market structure and created a new culture of global cross-collaboration.
“Our transformation provides us a distinct client advantage, having already garnered new business from top global companies looking for innovative marketing capabilities and solutions,” says Nick Colucci, PHCG president and CEO. “PHCG was the first health-focused network in the marketplace that created true connections across disciplines and geographies. We continue to provide business solutions for clients as we help them redefine health and wellness.”
The Year’s Accomplishments
For the third consecutive year, Advertising Age named PHCG the No. 1 healthcare network, ranked by U.S. advertising revenue. The ranking showcased the strength of cross-collaboration and helped solidify the network’s leadership in integrated marketing solutions. The network also placed among the top 20 digital networks.
PHCG’s transformation helped increase its global footprint. One of the largest healthcare communications groups in Asia Pacific, PHCG acquired UBS Business Solutions, a leading healthcare agency in China, and became UBS Saatchi & Saatchi Health. Local expertise was driven by PublicisTouchpoint Solutions, which opened a full-service customer service center in Shanghai.
The network benefited from Pfizer’s consolidation of its global Rx and OTC business to three holding companies, including PublicisGroupe, with PHCG leading the charge.
According to executives, PHCG agencies are dedicated to advancing industry knowledge through novel initiatives. Digitas Health presented results from a study conducted in partnership with Yahoo! on the “health styles” of middle-aged women at the Marketing Health and Wellness to Women Conference. Saatchi & Saatchi Wellness sparked conversations about health and wellness via a hub at Social Media Week, which does not historically include a health component.
PublicisTouchpoint Solutions released the third edition of What Physicians Want!, a survey in partnership with Sermo that measures how well the biopharmaceutical industry is fulfilling physicians’ needs, including insight on physician attitudes toward digital and social media.
Network agencies were recognized with leading industry awards, which executives acknowledge are a nod to PHCG’s ability to connect creative and content in innovative ways. PHCG received accolades from the Global Awards for Healthcare Communications, MM&M Awards, Rx Club Show, PM360 Trailblazer Awards, IPA Best of Health Awards, MarCom Awards, WebAward Competition, and the DTC National Advertising Awards.
Executives say a testament to the network’s new strategy was Colucci’s recognition as Marketer of the Year at PM360’s Trailblazer Awards. PHCG Global Group President Sam Welch was named the publication’s Innovator of the Year, and PublicisTouchpoint Solutions President and CEO Rick Keefer continued his five-year tenure as one of the PharmaVOICE 100 most inspiring people in life sciences. Five of the network’s female employees also achieved recognition as Rising Stars by the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association at the Woman of the Year Awards.
Structure And Services
PHCG offers business solutions that integrate insights, analytics and creative ideas across services including branding, digital technology and applications, sales promotion and message delivery, medical communications, market access and media planning, which are tailored to meet the needs of the client across brands and geographies.
The network comprises more than 5,000 employees across 12 agency brands in 11 countries. Colucci oversees the network’s global brands: Digitas Health, Discovery, in-sync, Medicus International, Publicis Life Brands, PublicisTouchpoint Solutions, Publicis Health Media, RazorfishHealthware, and Saatchi & Saatchi Health.
Joining Colucci on the executive leadership team are Welch and Ashley Kuchel, global group presidents; Nathalie Le Bos, chief financial officer; MarjanPanah, chief human resources officer; Alain Sarraf, chief innovation officer, and Linda Szyper, chief global development officer.
The agency leadership team includes: Michael du Toit, president, PHCG North America; Alexandra von Plato, president and global chief creative officer, Life Brands Group; Roberto Ascione, president, RazorfishHealthware; Donald Young, group managing director, Discovery Chicago; Rick Keefer, president, PublicisTouchpoint Solutions; Matt McNally, president, Publicis Health Media; Ned Russell, managing director, Saatchi & Saatchi Health/Wellness U.S.; Kathy Delaney, global chief creative officer, Saatchi & Saatchi Health and Wellness; and Janet Winkler, president, in-sync.
In December 2012, the network introduced Publicis Health Media, which executives say is the first of its kind to fuse media into a specialized health and wellness practice. The new unit allows PHCG to help clients navigate the media ecosystem, delivering big media agency clout in local markets.
Razorfish Health and PublicisHealthware International joined forces to become RazorfishHealthware, already lauded for its unique outlook on the evolving digital health landscape. Saatchi & Saatchi Healthcare Innovations refined its offerings and became Saatchi & Saatchi Science, which more accurately reflects its expertise in distilling scientific and market data into compelling and creative communications solutions.
Adding a fresh online face to its polished organizational structure, the network launched a new corporate website, designed by Williams-Labadie, now called Discovery. The site received a gold MarCom Award, silver Rx Club Show Award, and finalist designation at the Global Awards.
Future Plans
According to its leaders, PHCG will continue its forward momentum by refining global offerings, ensuring current and future clients continue to shape the health and wellness space. PHCG will leverage its global connections and expertise, pioneering creative ways to engage audiences and achieve measurable outcomes for its clients.
“For years, we’ve seen the definition of ‘healthcare marketing’ broaden and, as an industry, are poised to help patients connect to healthcare in a way they’ve never been able to,” predicts Colucci. “As a network, we’re leading the charge by translating technology and ideas from other industries to the health and wellness space. That’s why you see our leadership on every stage, from the Consumer Electronics Show to Ad Week to the American Academy of Neurology Scientific Sessions.”
Philanthropy/Citizenship
PHCG dedicates its time to local and national organizations and causes. PHCG remains a proud partner of and holds leadership positions within the American Heart Association, the Pasteur Foundation, and the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA). After Hurricane Sandy distressed the East Coast, PHCG made a donation to the American Red Cross to help those affected.
Individual agencies also supported organizations within their key disciplines or locations, including the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women, Philadelphia Public Schools, and charities or groups chosen by employees through creative development and service.
