The Ward Marketing Group (Ward6, Ward7, The Engagement Ward and 66South) has appointed former Edelman APAC Health chair Will Collie to launch The Advisory Ward, a new Corporate and Strategic Communications Advisory firm.
Created in partnership with Group CEO Stuart Black, the new offering has been established to provide senior communications counsel to pharmaceutical, biotech, consumer wellness and healthcare organisations navigating increasingly complex reputational, regulatory and stakeholder environments.
Collie will work closely with Black and the wider Ward Marketing Group leadership to build the new offering, which will sit alongside the Group’s existing agencies including Ward6, Ward7, The Engagement Ward and 66South.
Black said the appointment reflects growing demand from healthcare companies for integrated communications expertise at a senior strategic level.
“Over the past few years we’ve seen growing demand from healthcare organisations for communications support at a much more strategic level,” Black said. “Will has built a reputation as one of the most experienced advisers in this space, and partnering with him to launch The Advisory Ward is an exciting next step for the Ward Marketing Group.”
Collie said the decision to build the new advisory alongside Black was grounded in a long-standing professional relationship.
“Stuart and I have known each other for almost 15 years and I’ve always admired the clarity of thinking behind what he and the team have built,” Collie said.
“Ward Marketing Group has become one of the most respected healthcare marketing groups in Australia, and the opportunity to build a strategic communications advisory within that ecosystem is incredibly compelling.”
The Advisory Ward will provide senior advisory support across corporate reputation, brand and product communications, media strategy, patient advocacy engagement and issues preparedness.
Collie joins the Ward Marketing Group following a senior career advising healthcare and life sciences clients across Australia and internationally, including leadership roles at global communications firm Edelman.
He said the creation of The Advisory Ward reflects a shift in how healthcare organisations are thinking about communications.
“In healthcare today, communications is no longer episodic,” Collie said. “Health companies are expected to engage continuously with patients, clinicians, policymakers and the broader community. That requires a more disciplined and strategic approach to communications – and that’s exactly what The Advisory Ward has been designed to provide.”
