Public Relations (PR)

Komen, caught up in the culture wars, nurses damaged brand

Matthew Arnold February 03, 2012

Cowed by a fierce and lighting-quick backlash fueled by angry Tweets and Facebook posts, The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation is backpedaling, but is it too late to reverse the reputation damage?

J&J names new PR chief as consumer pharma head retires

Matthew Arnold December 20, 2011

Johnson & Johnson is promoting the head of its global vision care business to serve as its marketing and PR chief, replacing global OTC chairman Brian Perkins, who is retiring, in that role.

Advil Congestion effort ties traffic gridlock to cold and flu misery

Matthew Arnold December 13, 2011

Don't tell the New York Post, but Pfizer is boosting bike lanes as part of an Advil promotion.

Boehringer's Pharma-ville could salve industry's bad reputation

James Chase October 26, 2011

Boehringer Ingelheim is hoping to create a new Facebook phenomenon with the development of a pharma civilization game that could give industry reputation a shot in the arm.

Piercing the veil, but missing the value of medicine's industry ties

Marc Iskowitz September 08, 2011

ProPublica's Dollars for Docs database has grown richer in pharma company payments but falls short in putting context around those expenditures, say industry-side critics.

Did a PR firm's lapse give hackers keys to Pfizer Facebook page?

Marc Iskowitz July 21, 2011

Contrary to reports, hackers' brief takeover of the Pfizer Facebook page was probably not due to a security lapse by the social networking giant, security experts say.

Bayer beefs up Ob/Gyn sales calls

Matthew Arnold June 30, 2011

Pfizer has usurped Merck as the most admired drug company among obstetricians and gynecologists, according to SDI's Pharmaceutical Company Image 2011 study, while Bayer increased its sales presence in that specialty significantly.

UK PR pitch could portend US acquisitions for AstraZeneca

Matthew Arnold June 14, 2011

AstraZeneca is reviewing its UK financial PR business amid media speculation on a possible acquisitions run in the US, reports our sister publication, PRWeek UK.

People news: Porter Novelli and Impax Labs

May 03, 2011

Porter Novelli named Susan Hayes global director of health, effective immediately.

J&J cleaves McNeil from consumer in move to restore OTC brands

Marc Iskowitz March 31, 2011

Johnson & Johnson is reorganizing its troubled McNeil Consumer Healthcare unit in the US and installing new leadership.

Generic supplier gets in the celebrity marketing game

Matthew Arnold March 30, 2011

Celebrities signing on as spokespeople for branded pharmaceuticals is nothing new, but now a generic drug supplier is getting in the game, with actor Eric Roberts serving as a kind of corporate celebrity ambassador.

Much ado about mommy bloggers, mobile apps and paid posts

Matthew Arnold March 02, 2011

An Abbott iPhone app is drawing attention to the practice of compensating bloggers for app reviews, as some call into question the ethics of pay-for-play online PR.

Pfizer shifts global Lipitor PR to Ketchum

Jaimy Lee January 21, 2011

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.

Takeda, Arthritis Foundation launch gout awareness effort

Matthew Arnold September 15, 2010

Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America and the Arthritis Foundation launched a gout awareness campaign featuring TV and radio PSAs airing nationally, along with a website, www.goutliving.org.

Avandia warning signs seen online as early as '04

Marc Iskowitz August 31, 2010

A new report says patients began discussing the risks of GlaxoSmithKline diabetes drug Avandia in online forums and blogs well before a meta-analysis linked it to higher heart-attack risk.

Novartis exploits J&J recall pains with Triaminic giveaway

Matthew Arnold July 29, 2010

Novartis is capitalizing on rival J&J's woes with a giveaway of its new Triaminic OTC children's acetaminophen.

New pain meds pose tricky PR test, as FDA gaffe shows

Marc Iskowitz July 23, 2010

Reformulations of prescription pain drugs designed to reduce abuse potential are arriving on the scene, and the FDA is grappling with the best way to encourage manufacturers to communicate risks vs. benefits and ensure safety.

Pfizer's "Swiss Army Knife of PR" stresses science, responsibility

Matthew Arnold June 02, 2010

Pfizer redesigned its annual review as part of a rolling rebranding exercise aimed at personalizing the company, emphasizing corporate responsibility and stressing the scientific prowess of a giant better known for its marketing.

Daiichi-Sankyo launches Sjögren's awareness efforts

Matthew Arnold May 06, 2010

Daiichi-Sankyo partnered with the Sjögren's Syndrome Foundation on a survey of 400 patients and launched an unbranded site, LivingWithDryness.com, to raise awareness of the condition.

Merck in row over AIDS-drug pricing

Marc Iskowitz January 27, 2010

It was activism that drew the world's attention to the HIV epidemic and to the need for ethical standards in AIDS-drug testing. And activism is once again playing a role, this time in challenging a drug company, Merck, over the price of HIV/AIDS medicine Isentress. The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), which operates free HIV/AIDS clinics in the US and abroad, this week banned Merck drug reps from calling on staff in its facilities.

Alli-sponsored film gets "Rain Man" director

Matthew Arnold January 27, 2010

A GlaxoSmithKline-funded documentary on America's obesity epidemic will be directed by Barry Levinson, of Wag the Dog and Rain Man fame.

GSK rolls out new Alli ads, study

Matthew Arnold January 20, 2010

GlaxoSmithKline has revamped advertising for its OTC weight loss drug Alli to emphasize bad eating habits. The new ads coincide with a PR campaign touting a study of American eating habits and a film sponsorship.

ARBITER leaves some lasting marks on Merck

Marc Iskowitz December 21, 2009

The nature and amount of press coverage is often a key factor in assessing how clinical trial results impact a product's prescription trends. In the case of the ARBITER 6-HALTS trial, Merck's cholesterol franchise has benefited from largely balanced coverage, somewhat limiting damage to lipid drugs Zetia and Vytorin.

King's all kid gloves on Embeda launch

Marc Iskowitz December 10, 2009

King's launch of Embeda, a pain drug containing morphine, demonstrates that even supposedly abuse-resistant narcotic products need to take a careful approach in their marketing.

AAFP pact with Coke distasteful to some

Marc Iskowitz November 05, 2009

An alliance with the nation's largest soft drink maker to sponsor advice on sugar-free alternatives has spurred criticism of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).

CEOs trump movie stars among celeb endorsers, says survey

Matthew Arnold November 04, 2009

Mulling celebrity spokes-candidates for an ad campaign? Consider this: business leaders are more persuasive than athletes, movie stars or musicians, according to a Harris Interactive poll conducted on behalf of Adweek.

King warned on Embeda VNRs

Matthew Arnold October 21, 2009

Video news releases for King's abuse-resistant pain drug Embeda drew a warning letter from FDA's Division of Drug Marketing, Advertising and Communications.

Son of Pharmalot: popular pharma blog gets relaunch

Matthew Arnold October 07, 2009

Ed Silverman is relaunching his Pharmalot blog, once an industry must-read with a fiercely devoted following, next week - though at a more modest pace.

MedImmune taps soccer champs for flu awareness

Ben Comer August 20, 2009

MedImmune launched a branded awareness campaign starring soccer greats Mia Hamm and Brandi Chastain to underscore the importance of getting immunized for the flu.

PhRMA answers GOP leader's "appeaser" slur

Matthew Arnold August 18, 2009

The top Republican in the House of Representatives accused PhRMA of "appeasing" the Obama administration, which he cast as a bully who "asks for your lunch money." PhRMA responded that its pro-reform campaign is "absolutely consistent with our core principles."