Public Relations (PR)

Consumers to disease: You're not the boss of me

February 28, 2012

A global study of consumer attitudes towards health found evidence for the "empowered consumer" hypothesis, with respondents expressing a greater sense of control over and responsibility for their health.
 

Shake-up at top for J&J, as Weldon exits CEO post

February 22, 2012

The most recent Johnson & Johnson recall may officially be CEO William Weldon's last. Alex Gorsky will become CEO as of April 26, the company said, and Weldon will stay on as chairman of the board of directors.
 

Poll shows J&J rep is dented, not destroyed

February 14, 2012

Despite recalls, a settlement over allegations of Medicare Fraud and illicit marketing of off-label drug use, a poll by research group Harris Interactive indicates that Johnson & Johnson's corporate reputation is dented, but intact.
 

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.
 

Video Exclusive

Web Exclusives

Five industry experts advise specialty pharma company on digital strategy

April 20, 2012

Specialty pharma company POZEN assembled a crack team of experts to help shape its digital strategy. Not only did POZEN share with us the text from their contributions, but you can watch exclusive video clips of their valuable perspectives right here.
 

MM&M Awards 2011 HIghlights

The Best MM&M Awards Ever!

MAHF Ceremony 2012

Photos from the Medical Advertising Hall of Fame Awards ceremony
 
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