OMNICOM TAKES STAKE IN INNOVATIVE MEDICAL COMMUNICATIONS AGENCY, APOTHECOM ASSOCIATES LLC
NEW YORK, NY — May 2, 2000 — Omnicom Group (NYSE:OMC), the world's leading provider of marketing communications and advertising services, today announced that it has taken a 25% stake in medical communications company ApotheCom Associates LLC, through its Diversified Agency Services (DAS) division.
"We are very excited about our investment in this innovative new company," said Thomas L. Harrison, chairman of DAS. "ApotheCom will add another agency to our stable of highly scientific, strategically focused medical communications companies, increasing our ability to work with clients much earlier in their products' life cycles. Establishing the scientific platform for a new product begins even before clinical data are actually published, and ApotheCom is focused on the effective communication of scientific data and medical principles," added Mr Harrison.
"Omnicom has a strong commitment to working with pharmaceutical clients throughout the entire life cycle of a product, which fits well with our vision of establishing the scientific platform for the blockbusters of the future," says Neil W. Matheson, President & CEO of ApotheCom. "Research shows that the development of opinion leader advocates is one of the key factors in the success of a new drug. Advocacy and opinion leader development are among the core services ApotheCom offers our clients, and when this is strategically linked with clinical development strategy, publications planning, and medical education, we can deliver powerful communications programs," adds Mr Matheson.
About Omnicom Group
Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE - OMC) (www.omnicomgroup.com), the leading marketing communications company in the world, consists of advertising agency networks BBDO Worldwide, DDB Worldwide, and TBWA Worldwide. The group also includes Goodby, Silverstein & Partners; Diversified Agency Services (DAS), which operates a number of leading, independently branded companies in marketing services and specialty communications; and Communicade, which manages significant investments in leading internet and digital media development companies.
About ApotheCom Associates LLC
ApotheCom is a full-service medical communications company offering a new dimension in strategic communications planning and implementation to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device industries. The company, founded by Neil W. Matheson and Lawrence J. Lesser, provides integrated services through its offices in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and California.
Lawrence J. Lesser, chairman of ApotheCom, founded Medicus Group International in 1972 and developed the company into one of the world's leading healthcare communications agencies as part of the MacManus Group. "I have always believed in providing integrated communications services early in the product development process so that synergies and efficiencies can be maximized," says Mr Lesser. "ApotheCom will provide integrated services based on high science and sound principles of medical education and adult learning, and we will utilize technology and electronic media to deliver programs that change the way in which medicine is practiced," commented Mr Lesser.
Neil W. Matheson, President & CEO of ApotheCom, founded OCC North America and built the agency into a major global player in medical education prior to becoming the President & COO of the OCC Group of companies. "We are building an exciting new medical communications company, and our culture and style have already attracted very experienced and talented people," comments Mr Matheson. "Our strategic focus, combined with a commitment to the highest possible standards of client service, has attracted a number of new clients, and we are presently working with several key pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies that have major new drugs in the pre-launch phase of development," adds Mr Matheson.
Contacts:
Omnicom Group Inc.
Thomas L. Harrison
Chairman & CEO, DAS
(212) 415-3068
ApotheCom Associates LLC
Neil W. Matheson
President & CEO
(215) 550-8302
neil.matheson@apothecom.com
www.apothecom.com
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