VMLY&R Health, a 2023 MM+M Agency 100 honoree, recently named Naxto Diaz to the newly created role of global head of health craft.

In his most recent role, Diaz served as chief creative officer for VMLY&R Health Spain. In this new position, Diaz will report into Jason Xenopoulos, chief creative officer for VMLY&R, North America as well as VMLY&R Health CEO Claire Gillis.

“This year in pharma, craft is taking centre stage. We’re seeing a fall in traditional advertising and a focus on health ‘experiences’… and with it, a surge of beautifully crafted work that reaches out to touch the lives of people, patients, and HCPs,” Gillis said in a statement. “Our health clients deserve to become the most trusted brands in people’s lives. With the help of Natxo and our CCOs around the world, we will use meaningful, scientifically relevant and beautifully crafted messaging to help them do it.”

The role takes immediate effect and will have Diaz split his time between the agency’s European offices and New York City.

“This year we’re seeing an elevation of craft that’s taking pharma creative to new levels. Brands are taking care of every single detail – art direction, cinematography, copywriting and more,” he said in a statement. “Craft is the glue that connects messages to our minds in a deeper, more meaningful way. As global Head of Craft, I will focus on marrying good ideas with the finest production and the finest execution. We know it works. We have the power to use great craft to change lives, and we intend to use it.”

The agency, which has expansive partnerships with clients such as Pfizer, Emergent BioSciences, Gilead, AstraZeneca, Abbott, Walgreens Boots Alliance and Genentech, had a strong 2022.

According to the 2023 MM+M Agency 100 revenue list, the firm finished in tenth place.

Revenue grew by 23%, topping out at nearly $250 million, while head count jumped by 103 to 860 full-time employees. Notable additions include Matt Hyde, who serves as global chief operations officer, as well as Rebecca Greenberg, who works as executive director.

For a February 2024 article about VML Health announcing creative leadership changes, click here.