SAN FRANCISCO —  W2O has acquired Elysia Group, a health economic and outcomes research consulting firm operating in the US and Asia-Pacific. Founded in 2014, Elysia provides pharmaceutical and medical device clients with modeling approaches to health economic strategy and evidence development using data and analytics and real-world evidence.  Elysia Group will collaborate and integrate closely with Discern Health, which W2O acquired in July. Discern Health counsels leading healthcare organizations on the performance measures and innovative payment models that shape the market for their products and services.  Elysia Group co-founder and CEO Bruce Wang and co-founder and president Wesley Furnback have joined W2O as health economics and real-world evidence practice leaders.

NEW YORK — BCW has launched a consulting unit designed to help clients connect with diverse audiences through communications that promote diversity and inclusion. The BCW Polycultural Consulting Unit identifies audiences based on a range of factors including cultural heritage (race, ethnicity, traditions and language); cultural status (which considers lifestyle, sexual orientation, education and class/income); and cultural zeitgeist (art, economics, fashion, pop culture and vernacular). The unit’s offerings include research & strategy, internal engagement, and external engagement.

NEW YORK — Rachel Harrison, former Lion & Lamb Communications co-founder, has launched her own eponymous agency. Harrison will helm the New York City-based firm, which will also launch with representation in Los Angeles, London, Boston, and Mexico City.  The firm will offer a full suite of communication services, including a robust online strategy division known as RHC Digital. Harrison and her team bring decades of experience to clients across the travel & hospitality, wine & spirits, health & sustainability and technology industries.