Cohn & Wolfe Appoints Mike Kan as Global Healthcare Practice Leader

NEW YORK and LONDON, Feb. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Cohn & Wolfe, a leading global communications agency, today announced the appointment of Mike Kan as Global Healthcare Practice Leader. In the role, Mike will oversee the strategic development of Cohn & Wolfe's global healthcare offering, one of the largest in the industry with more than 300 healthcare communications professionals around the world. His responsibilities include cultivating client relationships, providing senior counsel, new business development, generating thought leadership, and developing senior talent. Mike will start March 1, and be based in London. He will report directly to Donna Imperato, CEO of Cohn & Wolfe.

Mike joins Cohn & Wolfe from Edelman where he was head of healthcare for the EMEA region responsible for network integration, business development and client satisfaction. He assumes the role from Linda Dyson who will lead Cohn & Wolfe's healthcare public affairs offering, one of the agency's major business imperatives for 2010 and beyond. Linda joined Cohn & Wolfe in August 2009 from Roche where she was Director of Public Affairs.

"The healthcare industry is undergoing incredible change because of digital media, efforts at reform, and increasing demand for services. As a result, healthcare companies increasingly require an agency with seamless global capabilities and expertise across the entire communications spectrum," said Donna Imperato. "Mike's great experience with regional and global programming, and Linda's focus on public affairs, will ensure that Cohn & Wolfe continues to steer healthcare companies through this challenging environment."

Said Kan, "Cohn & Wolfe's Healthcare Practice has consistently been one of the most innovative, and has done a tremendous job in recent years of guiding many of the world's leading healthcare companies through their first and ongoing ventures in the digital world. With the expertise and resources in our network, we have an incredible opportunity to help transform the way the healthcare industry communicates with its stakeholders and customers."

Mike has more than 18 years of healthcare communications experience. Before becoming head of EMEA Healthcare for Edelman, he was UK Managing Director leading the agency's Rx Health, BioScience (medical education and science communications), and Consumer Health business units. Prior to Edelman, he was the UK Practice Head and Managing Director, Health & Pharmaceuticals, for Hill & Knowlton. He has also worked at Burson-Marsteller and Shire Health.

Said Linda Dyson of Cohn & Wolfe's healthcare public affairs capability, "Increasingly, healthcare companies and government agencies are recognizing the value of the integrated communications model and seeking support from full-service communications partners who can more closely align the public affairs function with organizational goals. This will be a priority in 2010 as will strengthening the overall public affairs offering."

About Cohn & Wolfe and Cohn & Wolfe Healthcare

Cohn & Wolfe is a strategic public relations agency dedicated to creating, building and protecting the world's most prolific brands. With offices around the world, the agency is committed to breaking new ground in the delivery of cross-channel media strategies, creative programming, and practice area excellence.

Cohn & Wolfe's Healthcare Practice is one of the largest, full-service public relations consultancies in the world serving pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and diagnostic companies as well as patient advocacy groups. With more than 300 healthcare professionals, the practice is renowned for its expertise across the entire healthcare communications spectrum.

Cohn & Wolfe is recognized year after year by clients and the industry for excellence in creativity, client service, digital communications, media strategy, senior management and strategic counsel. Cohn & Wolfe also consistently ranks among the top "Best Agencies to Work For" in an annual, industry-wide employee survey. For more information, visit: www.cohnwolfe.com. Cohn & Wolfe is part of WPP (Nasdaq: WPPGY), one of the world's largest communications services group.

SOURCE Cohn & Wolfe