Komen reversal shows power of social networks

February 03, 2012

WASHINGTON: The quick resolution to the standoff between The Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization and Planned Parenthood is a testament to the power of social media.
 

Ogilvy guides coalition work on Affordable Care Act

February 02, 2012

WASHINGTON: Ogilvy PR Worldwide is working with the Essential Health Benefits Coalition to promote its recommendations for the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.
 

Pharmacy benefits group describes 'what PBMs do'

January 23, 2012

WASHINGTON: The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association has launched the "That's What PBMs Do" campaign, highlighting the value of pharmacy benefit managers.
 

Aetna to bolster digital as part of rebranding process

January 20, 2012

HARTFORD, CT: Aetna is planning to expand its digital presence on the heels of its brand refresh.
 

Pfizer promotes 'Lipitor for You' program

January 19, 2012

NEW YORK: Pfizer is focusing on promoting the Lipitor For You program after recently losing patent exclusivity for the cholesterol-lowering drug.
 

Independent firms foresee successful 2012: survey

January 16, 2012

NEW YORK: Independent PR firms are optimistic about 2012 after many saw a surge of business at the end of last year, according to a study by the Worldcom Public Relations Group, an alliance of communications agencies.
 

Vermont releases healthcare communications RFP

January 11, 2012

MONTPELIER, VT: The Green Mountain Care Board (GMCB) has issued an RFP seeking a firm to highlight health policies being implemented across the state of Vermont.
 

Group kicks off campaign to fight neglected tropical diseases

January 10, 2012

WASHINGTON: The Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases launched the "End 7" campaign today, with the goal of eliminating seven tropical diseases as a public health threat to poor communities by the end of 2020.
 

Campaign aims to register 20 million organ donors

January 04, 2012

RICHMOND, VA: Donate Life America, an organization promoting organ, eye, and tissue donation, launched the "20 Million in 2012" effort with the goal of drastically increasing the number of consumers on state donor registries.
 

California seeks firm to promote insurance exchange

January 03, 2012

SACRAMENTO, CA: California is looking for an agency to develop an outreach campaign that will inform consumers seeking health insurance about the state's new exchange program.
 

Site encourages tobacco users to fight taxes

December 30, 2011

RICHMOND, VA: Altria, parent company to Philip Morris, created a new website to motivate adult tobacco consumers to become more vocal about tobacco-related public policy issues.
 

TheraBiogen takes TheraMax Cold & Flu to Times Square

December 28, 2011

NEW YORK: TheraBiogen, maker of over-the-counter nasal sprays, is running a Times Square event this week as part of a larger campaign to ramp up sales for TheraMax Cold & Flu.
 

Radient launches campaign to boost cancer test sales

December 21, 2011

TUSTIN, CA: Radient Pharmaceuticals will launch a national outreach campaign at the beginning of next year to generate sales of its Onko-Sure cancer test.
 

Makovsky adds Davies as group VP for health practice

December 16, 2011

NEW YORK: Makovsky & Company has hired Lee Davies as group VP for its health practice. He will begin work at the firm January 3.
 

CDC aims to stop medication overdoses by children

December 14, 2011

WASHINGTON: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Consumer Healthcare Products Association Educational Foundation have launched the "Up and Away and Out of Sight" campaign to stop medication overdoses in young children.
 

Sorian to leave Health and Human Services this week

December 13, 2011

WASHINGTON: Richard Sorian, assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), will vacate his post effective this Thursday.
 

Walgreens, Express Scripts fight for customers

December 12, 2011

WASHINGTON: Pharmacy chain Walgreens and benefits manager Express Scripts are conducting dueling campaigns as the companies' contact nears its end.
 

Lilly adds Spanish-language portal to education site

December 09, 2011

INDIANAPOLIS: Lilly USA, an Eli Lilly company, has debuted an expanded version of its Lilly for Better Health website that includes a Spanish-language portal with information and interactive tools.
 

Decade-old 'Truth' campaign gets makeover

December 08, 2011

WASHINGTON: The Legacy Foundation is taking the long-running "Truth" anti-smoking campaign in a new direction by teaming up with clothing designer Jeff Staple to produce a limited edition T-shirt, then promoting the shirt in select markets.
 

Ketchum expands DC public affairs practice

December 07, 2011

WASHINGTON: Ketchum has hired Jill Bratina Kermes as a DC-based SVP as part of its expansion of its public affairs practice in the capital.
 

Cohn & Wolfe appoints Fleming NY healthcare EVP

December 06, 2011

NEW YORK: Cohn & Wolfe has named Olga Fleming EVP and managing director of its New York healthcare practice.
 

Organizations turn to social for HIV/AIDS awareness

December 01, 2011

WASHINGTON: Nonprofit and governmental organizations are winding up social media-heavy campaigns to promote HIV/AIDS awareness during the week of World AIDS Day.
 

Cooney/Waters, Vox launch Hispanic healthcare service

October 27, 2011

NEW YORK: Cooney/Waters Group and Vox Collective have launched Cultúr Health, a Hispanic healthcare communications service.
 

Feinstein Kean shakes up top management

October 25, 2011

CAMBRIDGE, MA: Ogilvy-owned specialty agency Feinstein Kean Healthcare has shuffled its top-level management, naming Craig Martin CEO and appointing former chief executive Marcia Kean chairman of strategic initiatives.
 

Formula PR wins Ormco AOR account

October 21, 2011

ORANGE, CA: Ormco Corporation, a manufacturer of orthodontics products, has hired Formula PR as its North American AOR.
 

Zeno Group grows healthcare practice

October 03, 2011

NEW YORK: Healthcare companies Virtual Health and K2M have named Zeno Group their AOR.
 

Merck gave $1.2B to CSR initiatives last year

September 30, 2011

WHITEHOUSE STATION, NJ: Pharmaceutical giant Merck increased its total giving to $1.2 billion in 2010, up from $923 million the prior year, via philanthropic programs focused on health, education, and community involvement, according to its 2010 global corporate responsibility report.
 

Eli Lilly steps up diversity efforts for clinical trials

September 21, 2011

INDIANAPOLIS: Pharmaceutical firm Eli Lilly and Company is strengthening its communications efforts for its clinical trial diversity strategy.
 

Cigna green-lights consumer-facing biz strategy

September 19, 2011

BLOOMFIELD, CT: Cigna, a worldwide health insurer, is rolling out an integrated media campaign based on its new global business strategy, targeted at individual consumers with a customization twist.
 

Publicis acquires Schwartz Communications

September 15, 2011

PARIS, FRANCE: Schwartz Communications, an independent US PR firm that specializes in technology and healthcare, has been acquired by Publicis and will become part of MSLGroup.
 

Grayling shines as Huntsworth US H1 revenues rise 4.8%

August 25, 2011

LONDON: Global PR and healthcare communications group Huntsworth's US revenue was up 4.8% year over year in first half 2011 trading.
 

Chandler to lead new inVentiv Health unit in Europe

August 25, 2011

BURLINGTON, MA: Bob Chandler, founder of Chandler Chicco Companies, has been tapped to lead a new company structure launched by inVentiv Health in Europe.
 

Pharma companies adapt to Facebook mandate

August 24, 2011

Facebook last week announced a policy change that is having a significant impact on the ability of pharmaceutical companies to communicate via the social network.
 

Autism Research Institute selects Fineman PR

August 19, 2011

SAN DIEGO: Following a competitive search, the Autism Research Institute (ARI) selected Fineman PR to handle public relations.
 

UN Population Fund seeks global outreach agency

August 09, 2011

NEW YORK: Four agencies are under review to help the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) bolster its global outreach strategies, following an RFP that was issued on June 25.
 

Edelman awarded Access Pharmaceuticals account

August 05, 2011

NEW YORK: Access Pharmaceuticals has hired Edelman through December of this year to help promote its MuGard brand, a treatment for oral mucositis.
 

Ogilvy retains Heart Institute account

August 03, 2011

WASHINGTON: Ogilvy Worldwide has retained a multimillion-dollar, five-year contract with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) following a competitive RFP process.
 

AstraZeneca turns to social media for clinical trials

August 02, 2011

WILMINGTON, DE: AstraZeneca is using social media for the first time to recruit patients for a nationwide clinical trial.
 

Cigna selects Fleishman-Hillard as global AOR

July 27, 2011

BLOOMFIELD, CT: Cigna, a worldwide health insurer, has hired Fleishman-Hillard as its global AOR, following a highly competitive review that began in February.
 

APCO taps former Porter Novelli CEO

July 27, 2011

NEW YORK: APCO Worldwide has hired Helen Ostrowski, former CEO of Porter Novelli, as a senior advisor to its healthcare practice.
 

Sanford Health hires Coyne for breast cancer initiative

July 25, 2011

PARSIPPANY, NJ: Coyne PR was selected by the Sanford Health Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Sanford Health, to lead its new national breast cancer initiative.
 

Summer's Eve engages social media to change public dialogue

July 18, 2011

LYNCHBURG, VA: Hygiene products company Summer's Eve launched a new campaign today aimed at empowering women and changing public communications about the female body through social media outreach.
 

Xerox and Medco partner for digital comms platform

June 28, 2011

ROCHESTER, NY: Medco and Xerox recently launched a healthcare communication delivery platform that allows them to communicate with customers in a more targeted and efficient way.
 

Ad Council hires Environics for anti-lead poisoning campaign

June 27, 2011

WASHINGTON: The Advertising Council has selected Environics Communications to develop social media outreach for its lead poisoning prevention campaign.
 

Center for Connected Medicine taps Dodge for campaign

June 27, 2011

ATLANTA: Dodge Communications was hired by the Center for Connected Medicine to develop and implement an integrated communications campaign focused on reconnecting healthcare through technology.
 

Creston posts strong yearly growth

June 23, 2011

LONDON: Holding company Creston posted strong financial results in an annual report this week, citing its recent acquisition of PR firm Cooney/Waters as a key factor in its growth.
 

Davidson promoted to GM at Ogilvy CommonHealth

June 23, 2011

PARSIPPANY, NJ: Ogilvy CommonHealth Worldwide has promoted Brad Davidson to GM of the firm's insights and analytics consultancy unit.
 

Chamberlain Comms joins Chandler Chicco Companies

June 22, 2011

NEW YORK: Chamberlain Healthcare Communications, a New York and London-based healthcare communications agency, today aligned under the Chandler Chicco Companies umbrella.
 

Council for Responsible Nutrition seeking new agency

June 22, 2011

WASHINGTON: The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) Foundation is reviewing the PR duties for its four-year old consumer wellness education campaign.
 

Ruder Finn snags Ogilvy's Silverman as head of healthcare innovation

June 14, 2011

NEW YORK: Ruder Finn has hired Kevin Silverman, formerly of Ogilvy, as its new director of healthcare innovation.
 

Lung cancer organization hires Zeno Group as AOR

June 02, 2011

NEW YORK: The Lung Cancer Research Foundation has selected Zeno Group as AOR, following an agency review that began earlier this year.
 

Pharma company debuts film about rare disease

Michelle Lodge May 26, 2011

EXTON, PA: Pharmaceutical company ViroPharma has released a film called Swell, which chronicles the trials of having a rare disease, including genetic malady hereditary angioedema.
 

Ad Council, US health agency debut "Conoce las Preguntas"

May 26, 2011

ROCKVILLE, MD: The Ad Council and the US Department of Health and Human Services' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) have launched a multimedia Spanish-language campaign to encourage Hispanics to talk with their doctors and be informed.
 

Life Extension selects RF Binder as AOR

May 18, 2011

NEW YORK: Dietary supplements provider Life Extension hired RF Binder Partners as its AOR, following an internal search that began in January.
 

GCI Health hired to raise profile of nurses group

Michelle Lodge May 17, 2011

AUSTIN, TX: The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners has named GCI Health its AOR, after a competitive review.
 

Lunchables launches campaign to promote products with fruit

Michelle Lodge May 17, 2011

NEW YORK: Oscar Mayer's Lunchables launched its biggest campaign Tuesday, a $20 million operation, which includes PR, advertising, and digital initiatives.
 

InVentiv Health subsidiary spins off sister agency

May 10, 2011

NEW YORK: Chamberlain Communications Group, an inVentiv Health company, launched a new health and wellness-focused agency called SharedVoice Public Relations.
 

Food Should Taste Good taps Allison & Partners as AOR

May 10, 2011

NEW YORK: Allison & Partners was named AOR for Food Should Taste Good (FSTG), an all-natural snack brand, following a RFP issued last month.
 

Reckitt Benckiser names Euro RSCG PR agency for Durex

April 28, 2011

NEW YORK: Reckitt Benckiser recently selected Euro RSCG Worldwide PR as its agency for Durex, following a review and the company's recent acquisition of Durex from SSL.
 

Physicians organization taps CooperKatz

Matthew McGevna April 25, 2011

NEW YORK: The Physicians Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports practicing physicians, has chosen CooperKatz as its national AOR, after a competitive review.
 

Media firm issues RFP for new cancer website

Michelle Lodge April 21, 2011

NEW YORK: Squeaky Wheel Media, a digital media company, has issued an RFP to support its web property I HAD CANCER, a cancer support site. The deadline is April 27.
 

Safe Kids USA launches campaign with agency help

April 19, 2011

WASHINGTON: Safe Kids USA has launched an awareness campaign, funded by founding sponsor Johnson & Johnson, aimed at helping coaches and parents protect young people from sports injuries.
 

Kids Kicking Cancer launches campaign with pro bono agency help

April 14, 2011

NEW YORK: Kids Kicking Cancer (KKC), a nonprofit organization focused on easing the pain of sick children while empowering them to heal, has enlisted the help of celebrities Gerard Butler, Demi Moore and Miley Cyrus , as part of an awareness and fundraising campaign.
 

Agencies tapped for GMA and FMI's $50m Nutrition Keys education campaign

April 14, 2011

WASHINGTON, DC: BBDO New York, Edelman, and FoodMinds, were hired to support a $50 million consumer educational campaign for the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) and Food Marketing Institute's (FMI) Nutrition Keys front-of-pack labeling system, following a competitive review.
 

FD elevates Shanahan to top healthcare role

Michelle Lodge April 12, 2011

LONDON: FD has promoted Liz Shanahan to be its global head of healthcare and life sciences.
 

PR firm caught in patent crossfire

Michelle Lodge April 12, 2011

BOCA RATON, FL: The latest salvo between two rival medical device companies has placed one firm's PR agency in the firing line by accusing it of patent infringement.
 

Frito-Lay launches national campaign in NYC

Matthew McGevna April 12, 2011

PLANO, TX: PepsiCo's Frito-Lay division has launched a nationwide campaign to raise awareness of the company's food processing methods and future product goals.
 

Beth Martino leaves the FDA for non-profit health organization

April 07, 2011

SILVER SPRING, MD: Beth Martino, associate commissioner of external affairs, has left the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), to join the American Health Care Association (AHCA) as senior advisor for public affairs.
 

Pfizer hires Linda Dyson, expands global nutrition comms role

April 04, 2011

MADISON, NJ: Pfizer hired Linda Dyson as director of global commercial communications for Pfizer Nutrition, effective in March.
 

Performance Bicycle invests in PR and social with Formula hire

April 04, 2011

CHAPEL HILL, NC: Performance Bicycle hired Formula as its AOR with plans to cycle into the national and social media scene with aggressive growth.
 

MTV helps roll out annual 'GYT' campaign for STD Awareness Month

Matthew Schwartz April 01, 2011

NEW YORK: MTV and the Kaiser Family Foundation have partnered to support its ongoing "GYT" campaign, a public information push to encourage youngsters to get tested for STDs.
 

FDA once more delays social media guidance

Matthew Schwartz March 29, 2011

WASHINGTON: The Food and Drug Administration has once again postponed the release of its first draft guidance for social media.
 

Hyundai Hope on Wheels chooses Ruder Finn in multimillion-dollar bid

March 29, 2011

LOS ANGELES: Hyundai Hope on Wheels, a nonprofit the automaker's dealers manage in an effort to award local grants to fight childhood cancer, hired Ruder Finn for a three-year bid with a budget totaling over a million dollars.
 

Biocell Center hires GCI Health for consumer awareness

March 25, 2011

MEDFORD, MA: Biocell Center, a technology company that operates amniotic-fluid stem-cell banks in the US and Europe, is working with GCI Health to raise awareness with mothers-to-be about amniotic fluid banking.
 

InVentiv Health taps Chandler for SVP role

March 25, 2011

SOMERSET, NJ: InVentiv Health named Bob Chandler SVP of marketing and communications, a new role at the healthcare services company. The added responsibilities will not affect Chandler's role as principal of Chandler Chicco Companies.
 

P&G and Teva partner to combine OTC efforts worldwide

March 24, 2011

CINCINNATI: Procter & Gamble will begin promoting brands such as Vicks, Metamucil, and Pepto-Bismol in new global markets, as part of a partnership with generic drug maker Teva Pharmaceutical to combine their over-the-counter drug businesses outside North America.
 

Fleishman hires H&K's de Schweinitz

March 14, 2011

NEW YORK: Fleishman-Hillard named Anne de Schweinitz SVP and director of healthcare marketing, a new position at the firm.
 

AstraZeneca launches healthy foods video program

March 09, 2011

WILMINGTON, DE: AstraZeneca, maker of cholesterol-lowering drug Crestor, is partnering with Food University to educate adult Americans about the role of diet in cholesterol management.
 

HHS brings in Salcido for public affairs

February 28, 2011

WASHINGTON: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) named Dori Salcido deputy assistant secretary for public affairs, following the departure earlier this year of Jenny Backus.
 

FDA undergoes staffing changes in external affairs

February 24, 2011

SILVER SPRING, MD: The Food and Drug Administration's office of external affairs is undergoing a number of leadership changes, including the departures of the agency's public affairs and Web chiefs.
 

WCG reports 37% rise in revenue for 2010

February 16, 2011

SAN FRANCISCO: WCG said global revenue grew 37% to around $37 million in 2010, compared to the $26.9 million it reported in 2009.
 

Study says pharma isn't delivering with Hispanic patients

February 15, 2011

MIAMI: Most physicians think pharmaceutical companies are doing a poor job of communicating to Hispanic patients, according to a study by The Jeffrey Group and KCI Partners, which surveyed 422 physicians across the country.
 

Cigna adds agencies to AOR review process

February 14, 2011

BLOOMFIELD, CT: Cigna said that at least five more agencies were added to the health insurer's search for a global AOR.
 

Health nonprofit business goes to GolinHarris

February 10, 2011

WASHINGTON: The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, a new nonprofit funded by the healthcare law, hired GolinHarris for PR support after a competitive bid.
 

Cigna starts search for new AOR

February 07, 2011

BLOOMFIELD, CT: Cigna issued an RFP to eight undisclosed agencies as part of a search for a global AOR.
 

Pfizer reorganizes its communications team

February 04, 2011

NEW YORK: Pfizer confirmed that it restructured its communications team, reducing the number of executives who report to Sally Susman and streamlining the communications functions to align more closely with the company's business units.
 

BI reaches one-year COPD screening target

February 02, 2011

RIDGEFIELD, CT: Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals reached its target to screen 1 million people in the US for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease during the first year of the "Drive4COPD" campaign.
 

Bausch & Lomb moves vision care business to Zeno

January 28, 2011

ROCHESTER, NY: Bausch & Lomb awarded Zeno Group its vision care business in North America, after working with sister agency Edelman since late 2009.
 

Bausch & Lomb's top comms VP to leave company

January 27, 2011

ROCHESTER, NY: Mike McDougall said he plans to leave his role as VP of corporate communications and public affairs at Bausch & Lomb.
 

Ketchum wins global Lipitor business

January 19, 2011

NEW YORK: Pfizer awarded Ketchum a global assignment for Lipitor as the pharmaceutical company prepares for its top-selling drug to go off patent at the end of this year.
 

Nonprofit funded by healthcare law issues RFP

January 13, 2011

WASHINGTON: The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, a new organization funded by the healthcare law to support comparative effectiveness research efforts, issued an RFP for a PR firm, sources said.
 

Pfizer hires GE's O'Toole in Washington

January 10, 2011

WASHINGTON: Pfizer named Peter O'Toole VP of communications in the firm's Washington office, a newly created position.
 

Cephalon hires de Vane to lead global corp comms

January 06, 2011

FRAZER, PA: Cephalon restructured its communications function and hired Natalie de Vane to lead global corporate communications for the biopharmaceutical company.
 

Komen names Morris & King its AOR

January 04, 2011

DALLAS, TX: Susan G. Komen for the Cure, a nonprofit supporting breast cancer research and funding, hired The Morris & King Company as its first national AOR since 2008, effective this week.
 

Top 2010 PRWeek healthcare articles

December 30, 2010

All eyes were focused on social media in the PR healthcare industry in 2010.
 

CMS issues RFP for IDIQ contracts

December 22, 2010

WASHINGTON: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued an RFP for multiple indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) communications contracts, according to a federal filing.
 

FDA delays social media guidance until Q1 2011

December 21, 2010

SILVER SPRING, MD: The Food and Drug Administration postponed the release of its first draft guidance for social media until the first quarter of 2011.
 

Ketchum launches health and wellness tool

December 16, 2010

NEW YORK: Ketchum launched a research tool aimed at helping consumer brands build communications strategies that highlight their health and wellness benefits.
 

AdvaMed hires Karr to lead public affairs

December 15, 2010

WASHINGTON: The Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed) hired Edelman's Gary Karr as EVP of public affairs.
 

Pfizer confirms global Lipitor review

December 13, 2010

NEW YORK: Pfizer said that several agencies are involved in a global pitch for Lipitor, the blockbuster cholesterol drug facing patent expiration in 2011.
 
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