Publicis Healthcare Communications Group (PHCG), part of Publicis Groupe, announced today that it has acquired Sydney-based Reed Weir Communications, one of Australia’s most competitive independent healthcare communications agencies.
Reed Weir Communications will maintain its brand and continue to be led by founding partner Sarah Reed. The targeted acquisition aims to strengthen PHCG’s edge in healthcare communications, expanding its presence in Australia and the Asia Pacific region.
Founded in 1997, Reed Weir Communications develops strategies in marketing communications, crisis management and media relations. The agency’s clients include some of the most celebrated brands of the human and animal health industries such as
Bayer, GSK, CSL, Eli Lilly, McKesson and Hill’s Pet Nutrition. Reed Weir Communications’ experts provide professional service and advice across a broad range of therapeutic areas, with five main fields of practice:
-- Pharma/Medical (communications related to pharmaceuticals, biotech, medical research and medical devices),
-- Consumer Health (communications for patient education/awareness, advocacy and health-related sponsorship or endorsement and FMCG (where there is a health proposition),
-- Agribusiness/Animal Health (communications in animal health, nutrition and welfare as well as crop science and agriceuticals)
-- Nutrition Science and Functional Food (communications around food claims,
nutrition policies, food science promotion and functional food ingredients and nutraceuticals) and
-- Issues and Crisis Management (specialised counsel in management of issues
for health, pharma, human science, agribusiness/animal health and nutrition sectors with potentially damaging legal, governmental and bottom-line impacts).
Nick Colucci, President and CEO of PHCG, said: “Reed Weir is an exciting addition to ourexisting health advertising and medical education services in Australia.Not only have we created the strongest health offering in the country, but Reed Weir has also given us the reach we need to better service the Asia-Pacific
market, a strategic focus and a top priority for PHCG. This is great news for our clients as well as our teams in the region.”
Sarah Reed, General Manager of Reed Weir Communications added, “Joining Publicis Healthcare Communications Group is a decisive step for us towards becoming a truly global player. From here, we will provide better value to our clients through the full scope of talent, resources and services of Publicis Groupe in the APAC region. We are excited about the prospect of leveraging these advantages and strengthening our ability to provide superior healthcare communication.”
About Publicis Healthcare Communication Group
Publicis Healthcare Communications Group (PHCG), a member of Publicis Groupe SA, is one of the largest healthcare communications groups in the world with over 2,700 employees located in 10 countries. Worldwide healthcare services include advertising, medical education, sales, marketing, and digital, as well as medical and scientific affairs. PHCG offers its clients a strategic partnership, a strong focus on ensuring value for their marketing spend, and exceptional performance on their assignments. PHCG main agencies are: BOZ Group, Brand Pharm, imed Studios, GlowWorm, LifeBrands, Medicus Group, Pharmagistics, Publicis Medical Education Group, Publicis Selling Solutions Group, Saatchi & Saatchi Healthcare, Science Oriented Solutions, Williams Labadie.Web Site: www.publicishealthcare.com
About Reed Weir
Reed Weir Communications was founded in Sydney, Australia, in 1997 in response to the increased demand for quality and reliable healthcare communications. The agency employs seven healthcare communication practitioners and regularly engages registered nutritionists and senior contractors for specific areas of expertise such as pharmaceutical communications and agribusiness. The depth of consulting
experience includes corporate communication programs, issues management, profile building strategies, media relations (including national media campaigns, new product launches, editorial and advertorial writing, design and placement), opinion leader programs, clinical trial recruitment and announcements, advanced training workshops / facilitation, third-party medical or celebrity endorsements, communication audits and direct marketing campaigns. Reed Weir Communications is an award winning member of the Public Relations Institute of Australia (2008 and 2006), and also has memberships in the Public Affairs Institute of Australia, the Registered Consultancies Group, the Australian Marketing Institute, the Food Media
Club and the Australian Medical Writers Association. Web Site: www.reedweir.com
About Publicis Groupe
Publicis Groupe [Euronext Paris: FR0000130577] is the world's fourth largest
communications group. In addition, it is ranked as the world's second largest media counsel and buying group, and is a global leader in digital and healthcare communications. With activities spanning 104 countries on five continents, the Groupe employs approximately 44,000 professionals. The Groupe offers local and international clients a complete range of communication services, from advertising through three autonomous global advertising networks, Leo Burnett, Publicis, Saatchi & Saatchi and two multi-hub networks, Fallon and 49%-owned Bartle Bogle
Hegarty; to media consultancy and buying, through two worldwide networks, Starcom MediaVest Group and ZenithOptimedia; interactive and digital marketing led by Digitas; Specialized Agencies and Marketing Services offering healthcare communications, corporate and financial communications, sustainability communications, shopper marketing, public relations, CRM and direct marketing, event andsports marketing,