NEW YORK, Jan. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Publicis Healthcare Communications Group (PHCG), the world's leading healthcare communications network, today announced the creation of Publicis Health Media (PHM), making it the first network of its kind to fuse media into a specialized health and wellness practice. PHM will be a new business unit within PHCG offering broad thinking and buying power. PHM will address today's ever-changing media landscape by helping pharma, health, and wellness clients to connect with their audiences with relevant, engaging experiences.
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The distinction of this offering is the integration of media at all agencies within PHCG. Not only is this model new for PHCG, it is unique for the healthcare category by uniting media and creative thinking while delivering time and cost efficiencies for clients. PHCG can now help its clients navigate the entire paid-owned and earned media ecosystem through brokering partnerships with global publishers for the co-creation and syndication of content across platforms.
Matt McNally has been named President, Publicis Health Media, and will lead the new business unit for PHCG. He will be responsible for media strategy, planning, buying, content distribution, and search across all PHCG agency brands worldwide, including Digitas Health, Saatchi & Saatchi Health, and Publicis Life Brands. McNally launched and led the media divisions of Digitas Health and Razorfish Health since 2004, which has grown to be a leader in health and wellness media, with four locations throughout the world. His career spans more than 15 years; he has partnered with world-class brands in the pharmaceutical, OTC, medical device, managed care, and wellness space. He helped launch the media practice at Insight Interactive Group, and led health media at one of the first digital agencies in the U.S.
"PHCG is the only network capable of delivering a fully integrated, strategic media and planning offering in the health and wellness space, giving us a strong advantage over our competitors," said Nick Colucci, President and CEO of Publicis Healthcare Communications Group. "We are thrilled to have Matt head the introduction of Publicis Health Media. Matt is a well-known leader in media and has introduced some of the most innovative programs in the sector today. He truly has the vision to take this model to the world stage."
"We created this integrated offering to provide all of our clients with unique thinking that blurs the line between content and context, while meeting each client's needs through tailored service by the local agency teams who best know and understand their markets and their clients," said McNally.
According to McNally, the market demands a media company that is dedicated to the health and wellness industry. This sector has been changing dramatically with consumers, physicians, and providers seeking information, support, and treatments from a variety of sources and across media platforms. Health and wellness requires a unique skillset. There is a fundamental difference between searching for "the best Italian restaurant in New York," and "what chemo agent is best for my mother." When it comes to matters of health and wellness, consumers are solving not seeking. Clients need partners who understand today's health consumer and can help create engaging experiences, not the latest ad campaign.
"Many health and wellness brands want a global partner to deliver innovative cross-channel media thinking. Because PHM is derived from the integrated media offerings at Digitas Health and Razorfish Healthware, we have the experience to think about and deliver solutions across a holistic media ecosystem-paid, earned owned, digital and traditional. It's that kind of experience that makes us leading edge, especially in the health and wellness space. We have a dedicated team that is ready to deliver unmatched health, wellness, and pharmaceutical expertise combined with agency integration and buying power." McNally continued, "Most importantly, PHM will help clients abandon common practices of selling what they hope to push into the market and focus on building their brands and businesses by helping reach their consumers in meaningful and engaging ways."
About Publicis Healthcare Communications Group
Publicis Healthcare Communications Group (PHCG) is the largest health-oriented agency network in the world. A division of Publicis Groupe S.A., PHCG manages top-tier agencies promoting innovative solutions in advertising, medical education, sales and marketing, digital, market access, insights, and medical and scientific affairs. PHCG is dedicated to creating experiences that compel action, change lives, and amplify business outcomes. With more than 5,000 employees, PHCG manages 10 agency brands through 57 offices located in 11 countries. For more information, visit: www.publicishealthcare.com
Contact:
Ivy Cohen, Ivy Cohen Corporate Communications
Phone: +1.212.399.0026
Email: ivy@ivycohen.com
Rosemary Abendroth, Global Communications Director, PHCG
Phone: +1.212.468.3438
Mobile: +1.917.650.3567
Email: rosemary.abendroth@publicishealthcare.com
SOURCE Publicis Healthcare Communications Group
