* News & Events *

As the week and my GLOBALHealthPR Employee Exchange draw to a close in New York City, I can only describe the experience as amazing.

Every day has brought me brand new, exciting opportunities in which I have been able to uncover “The Spectrum Way” of working, meet with new friends and team members, and continue to build a relationship with my U.S.-based colleagues.

Over the past fortnight, my eyes have been opened up to an entirely new world of healthcare communications. I’ve been privileged to immerse myself in the offices, while also being provided opportunities to share my knowledge of the Australian marketplace as well.

This week, I was able to present to the New York office about the work VIVA! does in Australia, share case studies, and discuss an upcoming collaborative Asia-Pacific regional disease-awareness campaign, all while taking questions from the audience.

I’ve also been able to take in some of New York City, and was very privileged to meet with Peggy Peck, Vice President and Editor-in-Chief of MedPage Today, who provided me a very detailed overview of how the US healthcare system works, and how this differs from the Australian healthcare model.

I’ve spent time with many team members, discussing the different practice-areas (Biopharma, Consumer Science, Biotech/Specialty) and cross-functional teams (including digital/creative and finance) that Spectrum team members represent, as well as the GHPR model of communicating globally. And, despite the business of the week, some of the team even took me out to a ballgame at the famed Yankee Stadium.

I’m excited to share all of my experiences with the team when I return home to Australia.

Tomorrow, I am booked for a tour of the NBC Studios, where I hope to learn a little more about the American television and radio media.

More than anything else, I want to express my personal gratitude to everyone in the Washington DC and New York Spectrum offices. You have all made me feel so welcome, and helped to create a one-in-a-lifetime experience, and I am beyond appreciative.

Mark participated in the GLOBALHealthPR Professional Exchange Program as a representative of the exclusive Australian partner, VIVA! Communications. The program aims to enhance the connectivity of GLOBALHealthPR agencies through collaboration, best practice sharing, and insights into the drivers that affect health and science communications in different markets worldwide, and to build professional relationships with other GLOBALHealthPR personnel around the globe.

About Mark: Mark Henderson is Queensland Branch Manager at GHPR Australia partner, VIVA! Communications. Follow his experiences on the GLOBALHealthPR Professional Exchange Program online, using the #GHPRConnects hashtag.

Watch this space for updates on our one-of-a-kind program from now through November.

Day 1 of Mark Henderson’s GLOBALHealthPR Exchange at Spectrum, Washington, D.C.

Since arriving in Washington, DC as part of the GLOBALHealthPR Professional Exchange Program, I’ve been privileged to witness a lot of American history, from Capitol Hill (the seat of the United States Congress and legislative branch of the US Federal Government), to The White House (the official residence and principal workplace of the President of the US, also dubbed “The Nation’s Most Famous Address”).

Warmly welcomed by Andrew Bailey, and the Spectrum team at its Washington DC offices today (Monday, September 19, 2016), I’ve been given a tour of the office and met many staff. I’ve also been privy to an orientation from Spectrum’s HR lead, Julian, who documented the company’s 20 year-long history, founded on the idea of “transforming complicated science into compelling stories,” to its dramatic growth in the past four years, which has seen the company double in size to upwards of 60 staff members across three offices (DC, New York and Atlanta), and those who work remotely.

Further to this introduction, I’ve been privileged to participate in several brainstorm sessions, and teleconferences that have offered me an opportunity to begin to understand the way in which business gets done at Spectrum. I’ve been truly impressed by all that I’ve learned since arriving here.

I was privileged to speak with Tim Goddard, Senior Vice President of GlOBALHealthPR, who provided me a warm welcome to the company, and outlined many of the different opportunities I will experience in the United States during my two week tenure here. Notably, I will be meeting with each of the four Functional Group Leads for Spectrum, including those representing the BioPharma, BioTech, Consumer Science and Public Affairs divisions, along with a host of other senior staff, such as the business managers who work within each of these groups.
It’s only day one, but I already feel like I’ve learned so much about Spectrum, its rich and vibrant history, and plans for the future, and I very much look forward to what the coming weeks have in store, both Washington DC, and in New York City.

Mark is participating in the GLOBALHealthPR Professional Exchange Program representing exclusive Australian partner, VIVA! Communications. The Program aims to enhance the connectivity of GLOBALHealthPR agencies through collaboration, best practice sharing, and insights into the drivers that affect health and science communications in different markets worldwide, and to build professional relationships with other GLOBALHealthPR personnel around the globe.

About Mark: Mark Henderson is Queensland Branch Manager at GHPR Australia partner, VIVA! Communications. To follow his experiences on the GLOBALHealthPR Professional Exchange Program online, use #GHPRConnects to join the conversation and follow all of the 2016 exchange programming.

As many of you across the world recently watched, the United Kingdom has elected to withdraw from the European Union following a public referendum on Thursday the 23rd of June.

It is too soon to have clear perspective on all the implications for the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and life sciences sectors, but there are several things that are already known:

• The European Medicines Agency (EMA) will be required to relocate from London, as EU agencies must be located in a Member State
• The chemistry and pharmaceutical sectors of the EU Unified Patent Court (UPC) will no longer be located in London, as previously planned

Additionally, the existing UK Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Authority (MHRA) is likely to assume all responsibility for medicines regulation in the UK.

There are, of course, other important factors that will impact all industries, including potential trade barriers and the freedom of movement of the workforce, but it is too early to speculate on how these will play out. This is because leaving the EU will take some time.  To start the process, the UK must trigger Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union, which sets out the procedure to be followed if a Member State decides to leave.  In his resignation speech, Prime Minister David Cameron said this is a job for his successor, who he expects to be in place before the Conservative party conference in October. Once Article 50 has been triggered, negotiations to leave the EU will take place over a two-year period, during which time the implications will become clearer.

One thing that we know for certain is that the UK decision to leave the EU does not impact our GLOBALHealthPR partnership.  It is, and will continue to be, business as usual for our integrated teams across the world.

JONATHAN WILSON APPOINTED PRESIDENT OF GLOBALHealthPR

Worldwide Health Communications Partnership Welcomes Top Scandinavian Firm, Effector

 

NEW YORK (March 25, 2016) – GLOBALHealthPR today announced Jonathan Wilson has been named president of the largest independent agency partnership worldwide dedicated to health and science communications. GLOBALHealthPR also welcomed Scandinavian firm Effector as the newest member of the partnership, adding its Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm offices to GLOBALHealthPR’s growing presence in 42 countries, spanning five continents.

Word about Wilson’s promotion was first shared with GLOBALHealthPR partner agencies at their annual general meeting in Mumbai in February. John J. Seng, founder and chair of GLOBALHealthPR and founder of Spectrum Science Communications, the U.S. agency partner and owner of the GLOBALHealthPR brand, broke the news to more than 20 partners from 13 different countries during his keynote presentation, to enthusiastic acclaim.  Wilson is also president of Spectrum.

“Jonathan Wilson’s leadership at Spectrum and GLOBALHealthPR over more than two years has led to unprecedented growth for the firm and our global partnership,” Seng said. “This outstanding performance as well as Jonathan’s vision for GLOBALHealthPR as a superior, client-focused alternative to the disconnected holding company network model drives today’s announcement of Jonathan as president.”

Headquartered in New York, with regional hub company offices in London and Singapore, GLOBALHealthPR is a partnership of independently owned and operated health and science communications agencies that choose to work together based on common values. With more than 600 health-specialist communications professionals and more than 20 PhDs, researchers and medical advisors on staff, the agencies that make up the partnership share a belief in insights-driven strategies and a commitment to collaboration in order to provide clients the best possible counsel and execution.
“The strength of this unique partnership of global health communications agencies was a huge factor in my decision to join the Spectrum team a number of years ago,” Wilson said. “As an independent network of best-in-class agencies we have deep relationships that lead to true collaboration, fueling strong local insights and seamless execution across borders. Adding Effector and its talented team to GLOBALHealthPR opens more opportunities for collaboration and business growth for all of our partners, and I’m thrilled to welcome them on board.”

Effector is specialized in healthcare communications and brings more than 16 years expertise, primarily serving the pharmaceutical and medical device sectors. The agency was founded by Managing Director Elisabeth Tissot Ludvig, and is the preferred healthcare agency in Denmark to more than 20 pharmaceutical and medical device companies.

Effector shares GLOBALHealthPR partners’ passion for healthcare communications and superior client service.

“We are delighted to join GLOBALHealthPR. Scandinavia is home to some of the most successful healthcare companies, each with a strong tradition of developing medicines and devices that improve people’s lives all over the world,” Tissot Ludvig said “We look forward to offering our clients enhanced international capabilities through the GLOBALHealthPR partnership and, at the same time, providing key insights and expertise to new clients who are entering Scandinavia.”

“The addition of Effector to the GLOBALHealthPR partnership of independent firms further strengthens our ability to offer international-scale health and life science clients the best and broadest reach in expertise and insights,” said Seng. “Elisabeth Tissot Ludvig and her team really rise above in Scandinavia, putting clients first. We’re privileged to welcome Effector to our like-minded partnership.”

 

About GLOBALHealthPR

GLOBALHealthPR, founded in 2001 by Chair John Seng, consists of leading, health-focused, independent public relations agencies in 42 countries, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Norway, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States, Venezuela and Vietnam. GLOBALHealthPR is headquartered in New York at Spectrum Science Communications. For more information, visit www.globalhealthpr.com or follow us on Twitter: @GLOBALHealthPR.

 

About Effector

Effector is a pan-Scandinavian communications agency, specialized in healthcare. Effector works for more than 20 companies within the pharmaceutical and medical device sector offering range of services from market access to public affairs and communication. We are driven by our passion for ensuring patients access to some of the best healthcare systems in the world. For more information, visit www.effectorcommunications.com.

 

Media contact:
GLOBALHealthPR
Timothy Goddard
(212) 468-5372
tgoddard@globalhealthpr.com

Effector
Elisabeth Tissot Ludvig
+45 24695403
etl@effector.dk

 

This week, I’ll board a flight on my way from GLOBALHealthPR’s headquarters in New York to visit our partner agency MediaMedic in Mumbai. I’m eager to explore the colorful streets of Mumbai and experience the unique culture, cuisine and customs of India. But most importantly, my anticipation and excitement could not be greater for GLOBALHealthPR’s Annual General Meeting, which starts on Wednesday. Our theme is, “Be the Change, Chart our Future.” It’s a gathering of the world’s top independent healthcare PR agencies and an opportunity to focus on how to better work together, who wouldn’t be excited.

In a time of increased consolidation, both within the agency world and from a procurement perspective, GLOBALHealthPR is evolving the concept of a global network. We’re taking the best aspects of cross-border collaboration while stripping out the bureaucracy and barriers of the traditional PR holding company model. This approach is not novel — 2016 marks GLOBALHealthPR’s 15^th anniversary — however, in recent years we’ve seen a marked shift among potential clients from a “bigger is better” mindset to a true appreciation for independence.

For three days from 17-19 February I’ll be joined in Mumbai by nearly 25 healthcare and science communications professionals who are all GLOBALHealthPR partners. Many are founders and principals of top agencies in their countries. All are brilliant strategists, great leaders and, most importantly, good people. We’ll discuss common challenges we face as independent agencies, industry trends that are shaping the way we, as communicators work, and how we can continue to set the standard for healthcare public relations globally.

While we’re there for work, it’s the time spent together that will define our memories and fuel future success. Last year’s pub dinner in London with attendees singing, laughing and toasting to years of friendship stands out in my mind. Others, who have been with GLOBALHealthPR longer than I have, speak fondly of late-night karaoke at the 2008 AGM in Tokyo, didgeridoo performances in Sydney during the 2014 AGM and visiting in the Newseum in Washington, DC. These moments form relationships and trust, both of which are critical to collaboration. The connections ensure that when the phone rings and an opportunity with a new or existing client presents itself, you can be confident that the global, regional and local market work will be addressed immediately and effectively.

It’s hard to predict what moment during the 2016 AGM will help further forge friendships and strengthen our unique global model, but I guarantee that somewhere amidst the sights, smells and sounds of Mumbai each GLOBALHealthPR partner will be reminded why We Work. Together.

Interested in following the action? Follow us on Twitter using #GHPR16 and watch the GHPR AGM Facebook page for all the updates.

The Zika virus has been all over worldwide news recently, with U.S. researchers urging the World Health Organisation (WHO) to take action against the virus. Transmitted by the mosquito Aedes albopictus, Zika has been linked to thousands of birth defects in Brazil, and continues to spread throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.¹ But what about the effect of Zika outside the Americas? Out partners at VIVA! shared their thoughts on the potential for the virus to spread to Australia.

What about Australia?

There is genuine potential for the Zika virus to spread to Australia through travellers returning from the Americas. Fortunately, however, there is a plan of action should the outbreak occur here. Dr Cameron Webb, a clinical lecturer at the Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research at the University of Sydney said, “If there was an outbreak, local health authorities would try to kill the mosquitoes and their eggs in the affected area quickly, while infected people would be isolated to limit the spread of their blood by other mosquitoes.”²

Dr Webb noted the Brazil outbreak highlighted the importance of Australia’s efforts to keep exotic mosquitoes out of the country, particularly Aedes albopictus or the Asian tiger mosquito, which is also capable of transmitting Zika.² As the climate changes and becomes warmer, there is greater potential for the Asian tiger mosquito to establish itself in cities such as Sydney and Melbourne.

Associate Professor Nigel Beebe from the University of Queensland has recently been quoted as saying “to prevent this species and others from entering Australia, there were traps designed to catch them within 400 metres of every Australian port.” When foreign species are caught in these traps, scientists are typically able to examine the species and their eggs, and determine their origin.² Scientists can then use this information to inform health, agriculture and travel authorities ²

The Department of Foreign Trade and Affairs is advising pregnant women to avoid travel in areas where Zika is active. The Federal Government is also requesting Australian doctors to look out for signs of Zika infection in travellers returning from affected areas. A government spokeswoman said Australian laboratories could diagnose the virus if required. Sydney Morning Herald, January 29, 2016.² 

What actions are being taken in your country to protect against Zika? Post a comment or tweet at us to let us know.

Want a more in depth analysis of the Zika situation in Australia? Take a look at the VIVA! blog.

References

1. Caught off-guard by Zika, Brazil struggles with deformed babies. Reuters, 28, January, 2016. Available at: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-zika-brazil-idUSKCN0V52F4
2. Australia, the Zika virus and why we need to keep exotic mosquitoes out. The Sydney Morning Herald, 29, January, 2016. Available at: http://www.smh.com.au/national/health/zika-virus-set-to-reach-australia-but-can-be-contained-swiftly-say-experts-20160129-gmgydw.html