NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Reflecting its
reputation as a destination for top healthcare talent, leading
communications consultancy Ketchum today announced the hires of
Samantha Schwarz as Managing
Director and Health Portfolio Leader to lead its North America health business. She joins the
consultancy from Novartis, where she served as Senior Director,
Corporate Communications, Novartis Gene Therapies.
Recognized as a Top Women in Healthcare by PR News,
Schwarz brings 25 years of experience in health communications,
including 15 years at Golin, where she last held the position of
Chicago Healthcare Practice Lead. She will oversee the entire
health sector for Ketchum, which services clients across all health
industries including pharmaceuticals, biotech, medical device,
consumer health, hospitals and health systems, payers and
government health. Reporting into North America President
Neera Chaudhary, Schwarz will drive
the consultancy's strategic direction in health, provide commercial
and thought leadership, and lead its acquisition strategy.
"The critical role of health and healthcare in our society has
never been more celebrated than it is right now, and the demand for
continuous innovation, education and communication is increasing at
an exponential rate. That's why Ketchum is hyper-focused on health
and investing in top talent whose expertise spans the full health
ecosystem," said Chaudhary.
She continued, "When it comes to pharma and biotech experience,
Sam Schwarz's list of impressive
accolades is extensive, and having previously worked with her
closely, I know that it is her real instinct for building teams and
growing client relationships that will make her a tremendous asset
for Ketchum."
Schwarz most recently led global and U.S. product communications
for the most widely used gene therapy globally, supporting one of
Novartis' most successful launches to date. In this role, she led
announcements for regulatory approvals in global markets, multiple
data milestones and clinical program updates, value and access
communications, and developed a powerful patient storytelling
engine to bring to life the impact of gene therapy on the spinal
muscular atrophy community. In addition, she was a key leader on
issues management and investor relations support and helped to
establish a corporate social strategy and presence.
Previously, she led the Chicago Healthcare Practice at Golin,
delivering strategic communications and tactical excellence for a
diverse client portfolio, ranging from some of the world's most
recognized pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to payers,
health service organizations, hospital systems and health tech
startups.
"Ketchum's well-established consultancy model, combined with its
diverse health portfolio and depth of talent, inspired my decision
to return to the agency side. Additionally, the firm's culture
naturally lends itself to some of the most important corporate
attributes during these times – continuity with flexibility,
authenticity and a passion to make a difference," said Schwarz.
"I'm energized by the opportunity to apply learnings from my
experience at Novartis, including partnering with multiple
communications agencies, to help develop teams and strategic
programming uniquely suited to meet the specific needs of Ketchum's
health clients. I'm looking forward to working closely with my team
to establish and deliver on the consultancy's strategic direction
in health."
Ketchum also appointed Erin Davis
as EVP, Government Health Growth and Strategy, reporting into
Michelle Baker, Chief of Staff,
Health. She brings 18 years of experience of strategic planning,
communication, organizational change management and information
technology transformation projects for federal and commercial
customers. Most recently, Davis was Senior Associate for
Booz Allen Hamilton, where she
worked for more than 11 years supporting federal government
contracts focused on health.
Chaudhary said, "Ketchum's healthcare portfolio has grown
tremendously with the addition of new clients and with the
ever-changing needs of our current clients in this sector, and this
momentum isn't slowing. We pride ourselves as a communications
consultancy whose health capabilities span the full healthcare
ecosystem and across other sectors where health increasingly is a
business priority. With the addition of these world-class leaders,
we're adding tremendous expertise and value for our clients, and
further cementing our reputation as the leading destination for
health clients and top talent."
These latest hires come on the heels of the launch of the firm's
health equity offering, HEq, late last year. In 2021, Ketchum made
significant investments in health equity leaders, hiring
Valarie Clark as SVP, Health Equity,
focused on helping clients deliver healthcare to the individuals
and communities that need it the most, and hiring Nicky Battle as EVP of Health Consumer
Experience, leading inclusive design and ensuring accessible and
impactful communications experience for health consumers.
About Ketchum
The winner of 131 Cannes Lions and PRovoke's Global
Creative Agency of the Year, Ketchum is the most creatively awarded
firm in our industry. We're equal parts human-centered and
business-focused, empathetic and intelligent. As a global
communications consultancy, we combine the deep industry and
specialty expertise of boutique firms with global reach to find
unexpected connections that lead to lasting relationships and work
that matters. For more information on Ketchum, a part of Omnicom
Public Relations Group, visit www.ketchum.com.
About Omnicom Public Relations Group
Omnicom
Public Relations Group is a global collective of three of the
top global public relations agencies worldwide and specialist
agencies in areas including public affairs, language strategy,
global health strategy and change management. As the largest group
of communications professionals in the world, our employees provide
expertise to companies, government agencies, NGOs and nonprofits
across a wide range of industries. Omnicom Public Relations Group
delivers for clients through a relentless focus on talent,
continuous pursuit of innovation and a culture steeped in
collaboration. Omnicom Public Relations Group is part of the
Communications Consultancy Network, a division of Omnicom Group
Inc. (NYSE: OMC).
About Communications Consultancy Network
Communications Consultancy Network (CCN) is a global
collective of the top global public relations, strategy, branding,
and research agencies. Award-winning brands include
FleishmanHillard, Ketchum, Porter Novelli, Marina Maher
Communications, Interbrand, C Space, Wolff Olins, Sterling, Siegel
& Gale and Hall & Partners. We are home to a group of
highly talented and specialized consultants across industries and
marketing disciplines, delivering strategic thinking and
market-leading innovation to clients. CCN is a division of Omnicom
Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC).
About Omnicom Group Inc.
Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE:
OMC) (www.omnicomgroup.com) is a leading global marketing and
corporate communications company. Omnicom's branded networks and
numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media
planning and buying, digital and interactive marketing, direct and
promotional marketing, public relations and other specialty
communications services to over 5,000 clients in more than 70
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SOURCE Ketchum