W2O Expands Even More
W2O announced its acquisition of Elysia Group. Headquartered in New York, Elysia is an economic and outcomes research firm with branches in Shanghai and Taipei. It specializes in helping medical device and pharmaceutical companies in their portfolio analysis and forecasting as well as measuring their cost-effectiveness and market sizing.
With the acquisition, Elysia co-founders Bruce Wang and Patrick Wesley Furnback join W2O and assume roles as leaders in the agency’s health economics and real-world evidence practice. Both will report to W2O’s commercial strategy and market access practice leader Rita Glaze.
PAN Communications Extends Its Reach
One of the country’s foremost integrated marketing and PR firms, PAN Communications, announced that it would be the agency of record for Brazen. The timing of the announcement is timely since large gatherings have been suspended due to COVID-19 and Brazen reigns as the top virtual hiring event and online career fair software brand.
In its announcement, PAN said it wanted to help Fortune 500 HR and talent acquisition teams across the country through the virtual support provided by Brazen. They also saw an opportunity to be innovative through the firm’s platform at a time of necessity. Joe Matar, Brazen’s VP of marketing, said PAN was their immediate choice because of the agency’s ability and success in heightening awareness of tech brands like theirs.
PAN plans on using a two-step strategy in assisting Brazen. The first will focus on targeted media in making meaningful connections with HR, tech and talent acquisition industries. The second plans to add a broader range of experts to Brazen’s resources to give the firm larger outreach.
Bed Bath & Beyond Looks Beyond
Popular home goods retailer Bed Bath & Beyond may be looking for a new PR firm.
Among the six agencies under consideration, are Alison Brod Marketing + Communications and Edelman who presently oversee Bed Bath & Beyond’s consumer and corporate work. The selection is expected to be made before the end of this year and will also include subsidiaries Buy Baby Buy and Harmon.
M Booth Names First Diversity & Inclusion Leader
New York-based M Booth announced its appointment of Eric Winkfield to its newly-created position of vice president of diversity and inclusion for the firm and M Booth Health In its announcement, M Booth CEO Dale Bornstein said Winkfield would be working with senior staff as well as external consultants to promote the recruitment as well as the retention of Black and diverse talent throughout both firms.
Bornstein added that Winkfield would report to COO Joe Hamrahi and their head of corporate practice, Moon Kim. Wakefield is also charged with benchmarking their progress and ensuring accountability. He comes from Pepco where he was responsible for community outreach and leading cross-functional teams.