Updated June 2026. By EPR Editorial Team.
Part of PR Agency Profiles Directory · New York PR Firms · Real Chemistry · Spectrum Science
Imre is one of the most established LGBTQ+-founded independent creative agencies in the United States and a senior-tier specialist in healthcare and life-sciences communications. Founded in Baltimore in 1993 by Dave Imre, the firm now operates from headquarters at 60 Broad Street in New York City, with additional offices in Baltimore and Philadelphia, and more than 150 employees across the three locations. The firm operates as a private-equity-backed independent with a 33-year legacy. The healthcare practice is anchored on biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, rare disease, and oncology, supporting healthcare-provider, patient, and consumer audiences across product launch and lifecycle. Recent senior leadership moves include Fred Hickman III joining as Executive Vice President, Group Account Lead in March 2026, and Ryan Mitchell promoted to Chief of Staff.
The Founder and the Founding Era
Dave Imre founded the firm in Baltimore in 1993. Across the firm's first two decades, Imre built integrated capabilities across consumer, earned, social, and digital communications, working with consumer and corporate clients including AstraZeneca, California Pizza Kitchen, Dickies, Kwikset, John Deere, Marriott, Patagonia, PepsiCo, STIHL, T. Rowe Price, Toyota, and Zoetis. The firm is LGBTQ+-founded and operates as an independent agency, with private-equity backing supporting continued investment in healthcare communications capabilities, technology platforms, and senior leadership recruitment.
The Healthcare Pivot
Across the 2010s and 2020s, the firm evolved into a full-service healthcare and life-sciences agency of record. The practice is structured around deep biotechnology and pharmaceutical expertise, with sub-specialties in rare disease and oncology — two of the highest-stakes categories in pharmaceutical communications. The firm serves healthcare providers, patients, and consumers across launch, lifecycle, and loss-of-exclusivity programs. Senior leadership investment has accelerated through 2025-2026 with the Fred Hickman III appointment (19 years of pharmaceutical marketing experience including senior roles at Klick across rare disease, pediatrics, dermatology, ophthalmology, autoimmune, neurological, and medical-device categories) and the Ryan Mitchell promotion to Chief of Staff.
The Roster
The healthcare practice serves clients across oncology, respiratory, immunology, diabetes, cardiovascular, and multiple rare-disease categories. Historical consumer and corporate clients include AstraZeneca, California Pizza Kitchen, Dickies, Kwikset, John Deere, Marriott, Patagonia, PepsiCo, STIHL, T. Rowe Price, Toyota, and Zoetis.
Service Offering
Imre operates as a full-service creative agency of record. Capabilities span brand strategy and positioning (for launches, lifecycle management, loss-of-exclusivity programs, and rebrands), omnichannel marketing (connecting healthcare-provider, patient, and consumer audiences across paid, earned, shared, and owned channels), creative development (campaigns, content, and brand identity), medical communications (regulatory-compliant scientific and clinical communications), media planning and buying, social-media and creator strategy, data and analytics, and experience design (user-experience and digital-product design for healthcare audiences).
Position in the Category
Imre sits inside the senior tier of independent United States healthcare and life-sciences creative agencies. The peer set includes Real Chemistry, Spectrum Science, JPA Health, Evoke, Patients & Purpose, the health practices of Edelman and Ruder Finn, the Havas Health & You network, and LAZAR, a Finn Partners Company. Imre differentiates on the LGBTQ+-founded independent positioning, the integrated consumer-and-healthcare structure built across the firm's 33-year history, the three-office United States footprint, and the recent senior-leadership investment cycle.
Awards and Recognition
Consistently named a Top Place to Work by the Baltimore Sun. Best Employers in Sports recognition from Front Office Sports. Commitment to the Community/Social Good Award from Digiday. The healthcare practice has received industry recognition for rare-disease, oncology, and patient-communications work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Imre? An LGBTQ+-founded, private-equity-backed independent creative agency founded in 1993 by Dave Imre in Baltimore. Headquartered in New York City with additional offices in Baltimore and Philadelphia. More than 150 employees. Deep specialty in healthcare and life sciences.
Is Imre independent? Yes. Imre operates as a private-equity-backed independent agency with no holding-company parent.
Where is Imre headquartered? 60 Broad Street, Suite 3600B, New York, New York, with additional offices in Baltimore and Philadelphia.
What does Imre specialize in? Healthcare and life sciences — particularly biotechnology and pharmaceutical communications, with sub-specialties in rare disease and oncology. The firm serves healthcare-provider, patient, and consumer audiences across launch and lifecycle.
When was Imre founded? 1993 by Dave Imre in Baltimore. The firm has a 33-year operating legacy.
How many people work at Imre? More than 150 employees across the New York, Baltimore, and Philadelphia offices.
Who are Imre's notable clients? Historical consumer and corporate clients include AstraZeneca, California Pizza Kitchen, John Deere, Marriott, Patagonia, PepsiCo, STIHL, T. Rowe Price, Toyota, and Zoetis. The healthcare practice serves leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies across oncology, respiratory, immunology, cardiovascular, and rare-disease categories.
How does Imre compare to Real Chemistry, Spectrum Science, and JPA Health? Imre, Real Chemistry, Spectrum Science, JPA Health, Evoke, Patients & Purpose, the Havas Health & You network, and LAZAR (a Finn Partners Company) operate in the senior tier of United States healthcare and life-sciences creative agencies. Imre differentiates on the LGBTQ+-founded independent positioning, the integrated consumer-and-healthcare structure across 33 years, the three-office United States footprint, and the 2025-2026 senior-leadership investment cycle.
Read next: PR Agency Profiles Directory · PR Industry Leaders · Real Chemistry · Spectrum Science · LAZAR (Finn Partners) Profile
