Porter Novelli Announces New Health Care Posts in U.S. and Europe, Tracking With Increased Client Demand

NEW YORK, March 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Global public relations leader Porter Novelli today announced new appointments in its health care practice to meet client growth and global team management needs.

Joseph Landi joins as executive vice president, director of New York health care. He will direct the largest health care team in the agency and be accountable for client and staff development. A 25-year veteran of the health care communications industry, Joe has developed and implemented strategic programs that have increased sales and boosted corporate image for many of the world's top pharmaceutical companies. 

Landi joins Porter Novelli from Landmark Communications, which he founded in 1995. As president of Landmark, he managed several high-profile public relations campaigns, including: pre-launch scientific communications for pain-reliever Celebrex® and multiple-sclerosis treatment Rebif®; an eight-year brand-awareness campaign for sleep medication Ambien®; and the launches of Ultracet® for chronic pain and Cardizem® LA for hypertension. Prior to founding Landmark, Joe worked for several agencies, including Wang Associates, Grey Healthcare Group, Burson-Marsteller and Edelman. He reports to Lisa Rosenberg, partner and managing director of Porter Novelli's New York office, and will work closely with the global team. A dedicated New York health care practice lead is a renewed post for the agency.

Last week, Porter Novelli announced the appointment of Shipra Singh as the head of health care for Europe, the Middle East and Asia. In this role, Singh will coordinate the international delivery of health care programs, ensure exceptional client service and continue the agency's expansion in pharmaceutical marketing, medical education and consumer health and well-being.  

Prior to joining Porter Novelli, Singh was head of strategic services for Hill & Knowlton, where she developed new offerings for the agency in emerging areas including clinical trial recruitment and retention, and acted as relationship manager and team lead across a number of key global clients. Before that, Singh was the managing director of Bell Pottinger's Health Group, where she integrated the different Chime Communications health care brands to create new combined PR and advertising offerings which secured substantial new name business.  She is based in the agency's London office and reports to Sally Ward, newly-appointed partner and managing director, Porter Novelli UK.

Peter Pitts has been appointed to the new post of global head of regulatory and health policy, reflecting the growing need for client counsel in this area beyond the traditional pharmaceutical sector.  In addition to health care clients, Pitts will advise on agency work in food, personal care, packaged goods and any other sector in which a global perspective on regulatory and health policy can impact business outcomes.  He will continue to report to Julie Winskie, Porter Novelli's president, global clients.  

With the addition of two strong, region-based health care leaders, this leaves the global health care post vacant at present as the agency focuses on placing talent closer to client demands.

"This team, complemented by other recent additions, such as our global chief medical officer, Dr. Barbara DeBuono, rivals any in the industry," said Winskie. "This new structure reflects our focus on organizing the agency around individual clients, and ensuring our best talent can offer direct counsel to clients and be involved hands-on in the day-to-day work.  The days of teams and practices operating in silos are over."

About Porter Novelli

A global public relations leader, Porter Novelli was founded in 1972 and is a part of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC). With 90 offices in nearly 60 countries, Porter Novelli combines the power of immersion with the rigor of research to create deep human insights that enable us to transform the opinions, beliefs and behaviors of those who matter most to our clients. For additional information, please visit www.porternovelli.com.

SOURCE Porter Novelli