Omnicom’s DDB Worldwide snapped up London and Philly-based medical communications and PR firm Synergy.
The shop, which boasts a staff of around 90 split between London and Philadelphia, will be housed in the network’s growing DDB Health group. Synergy formed from the 2007 merger of an eponymous med ed firm and healthcare PR shop The Workhouse, and services brands for Pfizer, Merck, Allergan, Roche, Abbott and GSK.
Founder Gareth Evans said “Everyone is staying on and will be involved in the plan to build Synergy as a truly global business within the DDB network.” The shop will stay put in its existing offices, he added.
“To be at the heart of the healthcare industry today requires having service capabilities in the scientific arena,” said DDB Worldwide chief Chuck Brymer. “With Synergy as part of the DDB family we are now able to work with pharmaceutical clients from the early stages of a new drug in pre-launch well into the post-launch period. By aligning these two related areas of business, we will offer greater value and innovation to our healthcare clients.”
The shop will be led by Evans and, in the US, by partner Susan Lohr, and will report to DDB Health UK CEO Ian Dorrian.
“Synergy’s global capabilities and market-shaping expertise will dinstinguish the DDB offer from other competitors who do not possess these integrated capabilities in traditional and digital communications,” said DDB Health president Mark Goldstone. “Their established thought leader network and global reach, combined with our professional healthcare and consumer communications skills, will make DDB a unique player in new global medicine launches.”
From the September 01, 2011 Issue of MM+M - Medical Marketing and Media
