New UK head at Porter Novelli
pharmafile | May 8, 2013 | Appointment | Medical Communications, Sales and Marketing | Porter Novelli, smiddy
PR firm Porter Novelli has announced that Mary Smiddy has been named as its new UK head of health & wellness.
This is Porter Novelli’s second high-profile healthcare hire in 2013, following Paul George who was named global director of health & wellness in January.
“Mary has an impressive track record in building healthcare teams in several markets around the world, and brings a wealth of ethical, consumer and animal healthcare experience to Porter Novelli,” said Sally Ward, senior partner, managing director, Porter Novelli UK.
Smiddy joins Porter Novelli from Weber Shandwick Australia and is a true internationalist, having worked for both Burson-Marsteller and Edelman in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA).
She founded Burson-Marsteller’s healthcare public relations network in the Middle East, and prior to that was the GlaxoSmithKline regional director of communications MENA.
A former nurse who specialised in intensive care, Smiddy has counselled clients such as: Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pfizer, Pfizer Animal Health, GSK Consumer, Roche, Sanofi-Aventis, AstraZeneca, Bayer and MSD, as well as biotech companies including Sanofi-Genzyme. Her experience also extends to non-profit groups, with Smiddy having supported multiple patient advocacy, youth and women’s health groups.
“This is an exciting time to lead the UK health & wellness practice at Porter Novelli,” said Smiddy. “The team has recently expanded its women’s health and respiratory portfolio and I am looking forward to further growing the team and client base. My previous healthcare practice in Australia remains the most awarded team within the agency, and I expect to mirror that success at Porter Novelli.”
