GCI Health

Having cemented its position as a market leader among healthcare specialists in the US, WPP’s flagship healthcare communications agency GCI Health opened its first international office in London in 2013, and has since then established itself as one of the leading healthcare specialists in the UK. In 2019, it expanded its footprint by absorbing German agency Hering Schuppener Healthcare, a unit of the leading German corporate and financial communications specialist. In 2021, it furthered its European presence opening an office in Brussels. But the UK operation continues to provide the lion’s share of revenue in EMEA and to serve as the hub for much of the firm’s work across the region.

Last year was a challenging one for the healthcare sector, with industry wide budget cuts in the face of economic headwinds, but GCI was better positioned than most to weather the storm, having expanded its capabilities to include public relations, public affairs, global health, digital and scientific communications. And it responded to the difficult market conditions by investing in a number of critical initiatives, including the development of a new "longevity offering" focused on wellness and self-care. The firm is also investing in AI and and data-driven solutions, including comprehensive team training to ensure effective utilization of AI/ML technology for client work and new business development. The firm also launched Muse, a global influencer practice for healthcare brands.

On the talent front, the firm recruited Real Chemistry veteran Annalise Coady as UK market lead and EMEA head of growth, working alongside EMEA president Kath Harrison (who relocated to Dubai to capitalize on opportunities in the region) Dan Bunce as head of business development; and Ben Jones as UK policy & public affairs lead. The firm also doubled down on its commitment to gold standard client service, creating two new global client leader positions in London. The firm remains steadfast in its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (which has also been a key component of clinical trial recruitment efforts on behalf of clients), and on professional development, including its Levelled-Up Learning program and its mentoring efforts.

The firm’s work focused in areas such as rare disease, oncology, immunology, and global health. It worked with Ipsen on the company’s “Rare Disease Day,” a multi-channel campaign focusing on caregiver fatigue. For AstraZeneca, the focus was on Breast Cancer Awareness Week and influencer outreach. New business success included a digital disease awareness campaign with Digestive Cancers Europe, a global policy support initiative for a major pharmaceutical client's RSV launches, a reputation-building campaign for the Institute for Healthier Living Abu Dhabi. Thought leadership initiatives covered the growing importance of of AI, ESG reporting, the gender pain gap, and misinformation.—PH