Brand communication

Communicating a new product launch, an announcement of a new indication or publication of new data has to be an instant success. There is no second chance.

Communications must fit within a broader strategy and complement other activities, such as public affairs and medical education.

We have the creative ideas that cut through other market noise, as well as the skills and experience to implement these successfully - and we will evaluate what we have achieved.

Advocacy groups

We have worked with advocacy groups across a whole spectrum of disease areas, forging lasting relationships on the way. A growing influence in the healthcare arena, advocacy groups offer an independent voice, an understanding of patient needs and a passion for driving change. We understand the needs and priorities of these groups and work with them to achieve excellent results.

Crisis communications and issue management

In a crisis situation, the first 24 hours are vital. Rapidly communicating your message to the right people allows you to regain an element of control. Prior preparation can help minimise commercial damage in a crisis and maximise chances of rapid recovery. We can help you with scenario planning, stakeholder mapping, message development and media training.

Reaching the NHS

The NHS is now 60 years old and undergoing a significant phase of reform. We understand how the NHS works from our relationships with PCTs, SHAs and statutory bodies. We can also explore areas of collaboration with interested third parties, including those from the private and non-profit sectors. Let us help you navigate this challenging environment, reach the right people and deliver compelling messages.

Direct to consumer

We are in an ideal position to advise you through the complex and ever-changing pharmaceutical environment. Whether you need to reach patients with information about a desease area or manage integrated communications around a POM-to-P switch or existing OTC brand we can help.

Government relations and health policy

Our integrated approach sees public relations and public affairs experts work together to achieve similar outcomes by targeting different audiences. We help clients to enhance business objectives through understanding government health policy.

Healthcare professional communications

Communicating with healthcare professionals requires specialists. The audience, message, regulatory framework and changing media environment create a number of communications challenges.
We tailor our consultancy business around effective programmes for each client.

These include:

• Clinical trial recruitment and support
• Pre-launch communications
• Key opinion leader development  
• Web-based communications
• Product marketing and launches
• Print and broadcast media relations
• Press events
• Conference management and support
• Publications planning support
• Crisis and issues
• Management and programme evaluation

Media relations

A focused approach is needed in an environment where health and industry journalists are inundated with PR material from pharmaceutical companies and patient groups. Our experts in public affairs and health policy – former journalists, healthcare professionals and patient representatives – have established strong relationships with media contacts to ensure we get our messages out there.

We offer media training and in-house broadcast capabilities to produce broadcast B-rolls and VNRs with satellite distribution, which take your messages to news desks around the world.

Pan-European and global PR campaigns

Our global reach helps the pharmaceutical industry communicate consistent and locally appropriate messages across national and continental borders. We deliver programmes that combine central strategy with local flexibility, including:

• Central strategy development
• Message development and testing
• Regional co-ordination
• Tool preparation
• Network management
• Central evaluation

Medical Education

Each member of our dedicated medical education team is a healthcare specialist who has been handpicked for their strong, diverse capabilities. Together, our team delivers unparalleled passion for medical education, cutting-edge expertise in KOL advocacy, and dedication to achieving real results.

Whether you are in need of integrated or standalone branded medical education programmes or unbranded CME programmes, our dynamic medical education team can offer you a bespoke solution. Our results-orientated model drives us to deliver best-in-class services for you in the following areas :

• Stakeholder advocacy & mapping development
  o Stakeholder/ KOL mapping
  o KOL profiting and development
  o Advisory boards
  o Roundtables
  o Professional skills training
• Healthcare professional meetings and education
  o Branded HCP meetings
  o Unbranded CME meetings
  o Conference symposia
  o Train the trainer sessions
  o Educational workshops
  o Online CME and education
• Medical education materials
  o Publications planning
  o Abstracts/ clinical papers and reviews
  o Journal supplements
  o Slide kits
  o Educational newsletters
  o Monographs and other scientific materials

Financial corporate communications

We work closely with Weber Shandwick’s financial communications consultants who provide the specialist industry knowledge needed to address the individual needs of healthcare businesses.

The Life Science sector team has expertise in helping companies communicate with analysts, investors and the financial media, including:

• Emerging businesses seeking to IPO
• Listed companies raising additional funds or undertaking M&A activity
• Companies seeking to protect financial reputation in a crisis situation
• Publicly-quoted businesses seeking to improve dialogue with financial audiences

Our financial team has an unrivalled communications network in every major financial centre, giving us capability to support cross-border and international transactions.