Johnson & Johnson reorganizes its PR team

Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has announced a restructuring of its public affairs and corporate communications team.

The changes, first reported by MM&M sibling publication PRWeek, follow the retirement of Nancy Walker, J&J’s former VP of global pharmaceutical communications, the promotion of Anthony Carter from VP corporate communications to chief diversity officer, and the March 2009 retirement of Dave Swearingen. The new team will absorb Carter and Walker’s duties, as well as Swearingen’s upon his retirement, according to J&J.

In an internal notice distributed on October 3, the company announced that senior communication leaders would be linked directly with stakeholder groups. Under the new organization, six VPs will report to Ray Jordan, VP of public affairs and corporate communication: Sarah Colamarino, VP, corporate communication; Jeff Leebaw, VP, corporate communication; Pat Molino, VP, public affairs and corporate citizenship; Susan Odenthal, VP, corporate communication; Craig Rothenberg, VP, corporate communication; Swearingen will retire—as mentioned—in March 2009, but will be tasked with helping to ensure an effective transition of his responsibilities.