WE Communications, an independent global integrated communications firm, has announced Gemma Hudson (pictured) as executive vice president of Health Innovation and Growth, a newly created role. Dan Woods has been appointed to her former role of managing director.
Hudson will accelerate sector growth opportunities and cement the agency’s health sector proposition both in Australia and across the APAC region.
Rebecca Wilson, executive vice president, Singapore & Australia, WE said, “Gemma is an exceptional global health leader and has been instrumental in developing the agency’s health practice in Australia and leading international, cross-market client relationships within the agency’s network.”
“Her wealth of sector knowledge and client leadership experience makes her the ideal leader to propel our health team’s growth and development in Australia, and regionally.”
Hudson has over two decades’ experience across PR and medical education programmes, and has spent the past eight years at WE. Her most recent role was CEO of Australia.
Before this, she established Haystac’s national health care offering and also spent time at Edelman and Burson Marsteller. She has worked in both prescription and consumer health, medical technology, and not-for-profit organisations.
In her new role, she will partner closely with global health sector and market leaders. She reports to Wilso,n and will work closely with Emma David, director of health, Australia, Dan Woods, managing director, Australia, and WE’s APAC leadership team.
Hudson said, “The ongoing global health crisis has spotlighted the important role health plays not only in the lives of individuals, but the impact it can have on businesses and countries.”
“While COVID-19 has dominated the conversation over the past year, health concerns, including chronic diseases, health literacy, patient engagement and access to treatment, remain critical areas that still need to be prioritised. I look forward to working with our clients and teams on these challenges today, and in the future.”
In Australia, WE’s health and wellness practise is more than one-third of their business. Their client partnerships span pharmaceuticals, consumer health, biotech, digital health and medical devices.
Brands include Alcidion, ANDHealth, Bayer, ICON, Novo Nordisk, Seqirus, Vaxxas and ViiV Healthcare, as well as new remits from leading health companies such as AstraZeneca, Bioage Labs, Cogstate, Hearing Australia, Janssen and Medlab.
WE has appointed Dan Woods as managing director, after he joined the agency in early 2020 on an interim basis. Before WE, he was executive general manager for brand and business development for Bolton Clarke, one of Australia’s largest independent aged care and health service providers.
“Dan has been a stabilising force in a difficult year. His leadership through the recent environmental, health and economic crises has brought us resiliency and created a strong foundation for a positive year ahead,” said Wilson.
