WPP forms largest healthcare coms network

Global communications giant WPP has merged its Ogilvy Healthworld and CommonHealth businesses.

Named Ogilvy CommonHealth Worldwide, the new entity becomes the largest healthcare communications network in the world, with over 1,100 employees in 64 offices across 33 countries.

It will be lead by Matt Giegerich, who was formerly president and chief executive of WPP's CommonHealth, and will now serve as chairman and chief executive of the new organisation.

"This couldn't be a more perfect union. CommonHealth has collaborated extensively with Ogilvy Healthworld for the past fifteen years and we have an enormous amount of trust in the talent, leadership and capabilities of this considerable network,” said Giegerich.

“By combining our two organisations - and the remarkable collective talent pool within - we can now offer clients all the communications resources necessary to create and grow powerful, unified global brands in a rapidly evolving healthcare environment."

The group will operate under the Ogilvy CommonHealth Worldwide umbrella, but maintain individual Ogilvy CommonHealth and Ogilvy Healthworld brand identities in some markets.

An executive council, comprised of leadership from both organisations, will oversee all day-to-day operations, reporting to Giegerich.

Miles Young, global chief executive of Ogilvy & Mather, said: "We are very proud to welcome the CommonHealth family into the Ogilvy Network. The two brands are both consistent and complementary.

“The healthcare business is undergoing a seismic shift as clients seek greater efficiency and effectiveness for agency alignments. The scale this venture brings us will be a powerful catalyst to this change, and will give clients access, innovation and creativity, in depth, around the world."

Dominic Tyer