WPP today announced plans to create a simpler, more flexible offer for its healthcare clients by integrating its specialist health networks into major agency brands in the United States.
In the US, the Sudler network will combine with VMLY&R, creating VMLY&R Health. Ogilvy CommonHealth will join Ogilvy, creating Ogilvy Health. ghg will join Wunderman, as part of Wunderman Health. Grey and J. Walter Thompson will continue to provide their existing integrated health offers.
The new approach marries deep health expertise with creative technology and data firepower, underlining WPP’s commitment to health and to fully integrated solutions that help clients grow their business and transform for the future.
The integration process is underway and will be completed in the first half of 2019. WPP Health & Wellness, the “sub-holding company” that currently houses WPP’s specialist health networks, will be retired. Mike Hudnall, currently CEO of WPP Health & Wellness, will lead a new, flexible health practice that better mobilises WPP’s capabilities for the benefit of clients. He reports to WPP CEO Mark Read.
Claire Gillis, currently CEO of WPP Health & Wellness International, will continue to lead WPP’s international specialist healthcare businesses which will remain unchanged as a consolidated offering of ghg, Sudler and Ogilvy HealthWorld to meet local client and market needs.
Mark Read said: “Health is an important and expanding sector for WPP. Our new healthcare offering is another step in our evolution as we create a simpler WPP that integrates the full power of our company for clients.”
Mike Hudnall said: “Integrating our capabilities with the agency brands and operating as a practice will allow us to bring greater impact and flexibility to our clients in the health sector. The new structure offers clients increased strategic partnership and a simple way to access the largest pool of health specialists in the world.”
