CHICAGO — Bryan Specht has stepped down from his role as group president at Real Chemistry, transitioning into an advisory role for the healthcare powerhouse.

Specht joined Real Chemistry in May 2020 in a newly-created role — group president of transformation, consumer activation and marketing — that reported into global president Jennifer Gottlieb. The idea was for Specht to bring consumer marketing practices to healthcare, as well as overseeing the agency's external marketing efforts.

"I was happy to dedicate a full year to help integrate the companies that had come together within W2O and launch their next chapter as Real Chemistry," Specht told PRovoke Media. "It was a great opportunity to work with such great talent and the top life sciences and bio companies in the world, in what was the most critical human health event in modern history."

He will continue to work with the firm in an advisory role focused on supporting on M&A activity and the new brand and positioning of Real Chemistry. Specht will also focus on his advisory investment work through Salient Ventures, a consultancy he launched in 2020.

"We are grateful for the contributions Bryan made during his time with us, including key acquisitions and the launch of our new Real Chemistry brand, and continue to work with him on several programs moving forward," Gottlieb told PRovoke Media. "This new partnership enables Bryan to pursue the consulting and investment work he was doing before he joined Real Chemistry."

Before Real Chemistry, Specht had most recently been with ICF Next. Both ICF Next and Real Chemistry shared a private equity investor with Mountaingate Capital.