CG Life, a 2023 MM+M Agency 100 honoree, named Jon Sawyer as its chief operating officer Tuesday morning, bringing more than 20 years of industry experience to the role.

Sawyer most recently served as president and COO of Closerlook, a digital market agency serving pharmaceutical clients. Years ago, he worked alongside CG Life CEO David Ormesher until the firm was bought by Fishawack Health (now Avalere Health) in 2021. 

Following the acquisition by the fellow 2023 MM+M Agency 100 honoree, he worked as COO for Fishawack’s U.S. commercial unit until April 2022.

By joining CG Life, Sawyer will be tasked with overseeing the company’s operations and managing relationships with life sciences and biopharma organizations.

“We continue to witness incredible scientific and medical innovation that has the potential for changing patients’ lives. With the right team and strategy in place, CG Life will be there to shape and tell those stories,” Ormesher said in a statement. “I know Jon well and have worked alongside him professionally for more than 20 years. His approachable, authentic, and pragmatic leadership will add tremendous value to our team as we continue to grow with purpose.”

Sawyer’s appointment comes two months after CG Life acquired digital agency Toolhouse in a bid to boost its digital capabilities by way of the latter’s marketing technology enablement, data-driven insights and user-centric design.

The deal doubled the communications firm’s headcount to 150. Additionally, Toolhouse executives will remain in leadership roles in the newly combined team.

At the start of the year, CG Life also unveiled a rebranding effort called Shaped by Science to underscore its commitment to the research and development that goes into the products offered by health brands.

“Life science marketers have the immense responsibility of turning scientific content and data into moving, impactful stories — a responsibility the CG Life team takes very seriously. We’re building upon a strong foundation of capabilities to deliver our clients the next-level support required for this next generation of technology,” Sawyer stated. “I’m thrilled to join and lead such a talented, tight-knit group as we continue to experience and amplify some of science’s most innovative breakthroughs yet.”