Publicis Life Brands Medicus maintained its healthy glow in 2016 with several client wins, three new therapeutic categories, and a renewed focus on diversifying its capabilities and client base. Revenue grew to around $40 million, up from $35 million in 2015 (both figures are MM&M estimates), while staff size landed just north of 150.
Further shaping these principles is what PLBM refers to as the “shifting ecosystem of care,” which incorporates such trends as EHR adoption and integrated care. “When you talk to patients, HCPs, and health-system execs, there is a realization that healthcare is becoming complicated and impersonal,” notes head of strategy Carl Turner. Naturally, PLBM sees this as an opportunity to help clients and their brands deliver healthcare experiences that match customer expectations — assuming clients get with the program.
To meet this challenge, PLBM has reimagined its strategy, ramping up expertise in social media, analytics, technology, UX, and behavioral science. Likewise, it has broadened its creative talents by deepening its digital capabilities and hiring talent from outside the industry.
While PLBM spent much of 2016 nurturing existing clients and evolving its offerings, it picked up a handful of wins while “selectively” pitching. In doing so, it expanded into three new therapeutic categories: men’s health (Santhera), vaccines (Sanofi Pasteur), and hepatitis C (undisclosed client).
For the rest of 2017, the firm plans to continue to diversify its client base, perhaps via the addition of a health system or three.