Ruder Finn Expands with Appointment of New Head of U.S. Healthcare and Creation of New Agency-Wide Role Focused on Growth

NEW YORK, June 22, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Ruder Finn, a leading independent global creative and communications agency, announced today that Sally Barton is joining as EVP, Head of the U.S. Healthcare Practice, and Susan Goldstein is assuming a new dual role as Ruder Finn's Chair, Global Healthcare Practice and a new position, President, Growth Initiatives for the agency overall.

20-year PR veteran Sally Barton comes to Ruder Finn from Ogilvy PR, where she served as EVP, responsible for growing the agency's largest healthcare client over the course of eight years. Barton has developed and managed strategic and high profile programs for leading pharmaceutical, diagnostic, device and biotech companies. Her expertise ranges from strategic media planning, advocacy relations, coalition building and professional education to direct-to-consumer marketing, clinical trial recruitment, regulatory affairs, public health and public policy, and crisis and issues management. She was previously the Head of the North American practice at Cohn & Wolfe. Barton's new responsibilities include strategic and operational oversight of Ruder Finn's U.S. Healthcare practice, further strengthening core competencies in emerging areas of the rapidly changing healthcare environment, including multi-channel customer engagement, consumerization of science, connected health and data analytics.

"We are very excited to have Sally fuel our U.S. healthcare practice's momentum," says agency CEO Kathy Bloomgarden. "Her vast client experience and deep expertise in numerous therapeutic areas will further strengthen the practice's capabilities as we help advance our clients' storytelling for a new marketplace of engaged patients, healthcare providers and payers."

"I am thrilled to take on this new role at Ruder Finn, building on the agency's boundary-breaking and award-winning work," says Barton. "The agency's healthcare group is truly leading the industry, and I look forward to being a part of this pioneering, world-class team." Barton will be based out of the agency's New York office.

Goldstein, who has successfully guided Ruder Finn's global healthcare network through 8 years of growth, will turn her focus to new growth initiatives for the agency overall, seeking to provide significant new value for both existing and prospective clients within the changing healthcare landscape and beyond. She will lead the development of strategic partnerships and pursue innovation opportunities across commercial, development, discovery and audience engagement platforms in healthcare, as well as consumer and technology to further advance Ruder Finn's offering and propel clients' business goals.

"Susan has been instrumental in leading our global healthcare practice to its current success, and I am very excited for her to drive new growth initiatives as the healthcare environment continues to experience dynamic transformation," says agency CEO Kathy Bloomgarden. "I look forward to Susan's engagement across our practice areas, as we continue to innovate in rapidly changing markets. Emerging technologies are constantly providing new ways to engage stakeholders, shape opinion, and build communities. As we build the agency of the future, Susan will help us anticipate and fulfill client goals in the digital age and empower our teams to move in-step and ahead of the market."

"I look forward to continuing to work with our healthcare, innovation, consumer and tech teams across the globe to continue to grow and transform Ruder Finn's industry-leading offerings," says Goldstein. "The addition of Sally Barton further strengthens our already robust healthcare offering, and our portfolio of marquee global clients, coupled with top work from best-in-class teams worldwide, provides a strong platform for future growth across the full range of global multi-nationals and NGOs." Goldstein will be based in the agency's New York headquarters.

Barton's hire and Goldstein's new role complement the ongoing success of Ruder Finn's Healthcare Group, which was honored with over 15 industry awards and accolades in 2015, including the distinction as the only public relations agency recognized at the prestigious Cannes Lions Health Awards for the Protecting Our Tomorrows: Portraits of Meningococcal Disease awareness campaign. The Group was also recognized by numerous other 2015 award programs, including Clio Healthcare Awards, The Holmes Report SABRE Awards, PRWeek Awards and Digital Health Awards.

ABOUT RUDER FINN 
Ruder Finn, Inc. is one of the world's largest independent global communications and creative agencies with dual headquarters in the U.S. and China. Founded in 1948, Ruder Finn serves the global and local communication needs of over 250 corporations, governments, non-profit organizations and startups. The agency is organized around four strategic pillars that reflect its core areas of expertise: Health & Wellness, Corporate Reputation & Transformation, Technology & Innovation, and Consumer Connections. RFI Studios, the agency's full-service digital practice, leads the industry in designing and developing internal collaboration platforms, building conversations and communities around brands, and staying top-of-mind in the world of mobile applications. Ruder Finn's work, talent and culture have received industry-wide recognition, featuring awards from the Cannes Health Lions, the Clio's, the SABRE Awards, the Big Apples and the PRWeek Awards. In 2016, Bulldog Reporter named Ruder Finn Large and Tech Agency of the Year, and PR News' has listed Ruder Finn as one of the Top Places to Work in PR for three years in a row. For more information, visit www.ruderfinn.com. 

CONTACT:  
Katy Kelley 
Ruder Finn 
646-757-6123 
[email protected]

SOURCE Ruder Finn

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