(Chicago, IL, June 23, 2021) — MERGE, a modern agency focused on storytelling and technology, today announced multiple appointments to its Life Sciences practice area with the promotion of 15 individuals. The moves build on the agency’s recent leadership team additions and support its long-term strategic business plan that emphasizes a deep expertise in Life Sciences.
“In the past year, MERGE Life Sciences has rapidly expanded, bringing together experienced life sciences leaders, scientific minds and a mix of talent unlike other ‘pharma-first’ agencies, which has empowered us to provide unmatched category insights and expertise to clients,” said Patrick Venetucci, Chief Executive Officer of MERGE. “These promotions are key to enhancing our long-term growth potential and our ability to continue imagining innovative solutions that can transform our clients’ businesses in an ever-changing industry.”
MERGE’s Life Sciences practice area is led by Pat McGloin, Chief Growth Officer, who is guiding the strategy, structure and growth for the practice. “I’m excited to continue down this path toward building out the new model agency for the Life Sciences,” said Pat McGloin. “We are now realizing the tremendous potential from creating closed-loop brand ecosystems that capitalize on the intersection of our art, science and technology expertise.”
Pat is supported by Barry Vucsko, EVP, Client Service, who oversees the specialized Life Science clients, with a focus on complex disease states such as oncology, cardiology and rare disease. Allison Benson, SVP, Group Client Service, is leading the traditional pharma and medtech side of the business, focusing on the treatment of chronic diseases and helping established brands grow their market share.
In addition, MERGE has created a Life Sciences leadership team, and the following members will be working alongside Pat, Barry and Allison:
- Chris Weber, EVP, Strategy.
- Denis O’Keefe, EVP, Group Creative Leader.
- Megan Doyle, PhD, VP Scientific Strategy.
- Steve Lynch, EVP, Group Creative Leader.
- Anthony Henriques, EVP, Group Creative Leader.
Other recent leadership additions to the practice area include Jason Ferguson, SVP, Group Client Service Leader; Micki Meyer, SVP, Group Client Service Leader; and Julie Hopkins has recently been hired as VP, Client Service Leader.
MERGE’s Medical Group will now be led by Megan Doyle, PhD, VP, Medical Leader, and includes the following updates:
- Sver Aune has been promoted to Medical Director.
- Jim Kompare has been promoted to Medical Director.
- Kristen Ambegaokar has been hired as a Medical Director.
- Carolina Solano has been promoted to Senior Medical Writer.
- Cassie Etelamaki has been promoted to Senior Medical Writer.
- Erica Dix has been promoted to Scientific Content Specialist.
Other recent promotions include:
- Molly Lane to VP, Strategy Leader.
- Kate Brueck to VP, Client Service Leader.
- Kevin Hess to VP, Client Service Leader.
- Danielle Pouls to Senior Art Director.
- Carrie Lessard to Associate Creative Director.
- Samantha McColl to Account Director.
- Marissa Endow to Account Supervisor.
MERGE Life Sciences is a full-service agency that blends science with soul, combining scientific storytelling with marketing technology and more than 30 years of pharmaceutical and medical device expertise. Through its specialized medical group, the practice aims to translate medical and scientific information into strategic action that drives brand growth and strengthens market positioning for clients. The practice includes a focus on oncology and rare disease, with deep experience across diverse disease states, provider ecosystems and regulatory environments. MERGE Life Sciences clients range from leading pharmaceutical and device manufacturers to emerging diagnostic and biotech start-ups.
About MERGE
MERGE promotes health, wealth and happiness in the world by merging storytelling with technology and offers marketing and technology clients full-service capabilities, including strategy, creative communications, experience engineering, media, digital platform development and more. MERGE has enduring client partnerships with American Express, T-Mobile, LG, Fidelity, Eaton Vance, BlueCross BlueShield, Abbott, Takeda, Boston Scientific, Advocate Aurora Health, Brigham Health, Indiana University Health and Marco’s Pizza. With 550+ employees across offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Kansas City, New York City and Orange County, MERGE uses a talent-to-task process that enables clients to think higher and feel deeper about their customers. For more information, visit mergeworld.com.
