Makovsky Appoints Tom Jones and Alexandra Peterson To Lead its Award-Winning Health Practice

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May 18, 2015, 08:01 ET

NEW YORK, May 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Makovsky, a leading independent integrated communications firm, today announced the appointment of Tom Jones, senior vice president, and Alexandra Peterson, senior vice president, to lead the agency's Health Practice.

Supporting Jones and Peterson will be Lee Davies, senior vice president, and Arielle Bernstein, group vice president, as an extended leadership team led by Jones and Peterson. The new leadership structure was designed to accentuate strengths within the established team, and in preparation for the departure of long-time practice head, Gil Bashe.

"Over the years we have developed an excellent culture of client service and we're grateful to Gil for his many years heading the Health Practice. Now, Tom and Alex – supported by Lee's client service and media expertise and Arielle's public policy knowledge – will take the lead, bringing exceptional industry experience, competitive drive and a collaborative spirit that delivers business results, to their new roles," said Ken Makovsky, the firm's founder and CEO. "Our goal is to build on the group's incredible track record, with a leadership structure that will accelerate Health Practice growth and enhance our proven and long-standing commitment to unmatched client support."

Prior to Makovsky, Jones was an executive director at Novartis, heading public relations programs in respiratory, dermatology, neuroscience, diabetes, arthritis and gastrointestinal franchises. In this role, he helped with pre-launch, market introduction and promotional activities. Since joining Makovsky in 2011, he has contributed significantly to the Practice's double-digit growth by spearheading major business development wins and managing the design and execution of award-winning campaigns.

"Our formula for growth during the past four years has been simple – focus on our people, the most valuable asset, while fostering an environment that delivers irreplaceable value to clients," said Jones. "By partnering with Alex, we now will unleash new energy into the practice with broadened skillsets and expanded capabilities to take the company in even more exciting directions."

Peterson joined Makovsky in 2014 with impressive agency experience and a passion for healthcare, having worked at MSLGROUP, Ruder Finn and Emanate. She has managed business across a variety of therapeutic categories on a global level involving a broad range of integrated campaigns. Her business development and client counsel experience includes an array of high-profile brands such as Actavis, Pfizer, GSK, Ferring, WebMD and MetLife.

"I am thrilled to help lead our diverse, talented and dedicated team into the next phase of Makovsky's Health Practice," said Peterson. "By joining forces with Tom, we have the opportunity to maximize our individual strengths and generate excitement about the future, both among our colleagues and our universe of valued clients."

Davies is a biopharmaceutical veteran with more than 40 years' experience in healthcare marketing and communications, who led his own agency for more than 10 years. Most recently, Davies was Director of Global Media Relations and Global Product Communications at Merck and Schering-Plough, where he led the companies' external communications in cardiovascular diseases, oncology, diabetes and women's health.

"Client service is at the core of what makes Makovsky such a great agency, and it is our clients who inspire us day in and out," commented Davies. "I am delighted to work with Tom and Alex to actualize our vision for healthcare communications in the 21^st century."

Bernstein is an accomplished public policy expert, published and well-regarded in corporate patient advocacy and product access issues. She holds an MPP degree from University of Chicago, and has been a rising leader within the Makovsky Health Practice since joining in 2005.

About Makovsky
Named "Healthcare Agency of the Year" by The Holmes Report, Makovsky leads the healthcare communications field in its ongoing mission to improve patient health through its award-winning advocacy campaigns, corporate awareness programs, brand communications, and disease education efforts on behalf of biotech, pharmaceutical and health service clients. Makovsky Health has been recognized by industry with more than 26 awards in the past two years for its client work. With expertise across multiple areas of the complex healthcare landscape, Makovsky provides unmatched insight and depth of knowledge for clients navigating the multifaceted interactions among patients, physicians, payers and policy agencies. The firm's award-winning efforts show creativity in connecting audiences via social media, coalition building and thought leader events. Its commitment to delivering irreplaceable value to clients has resulted in a year-to-year industry leading client-retention rate since 2004.

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CONTACT
Suzanne Yergensen
Makovsky
212-508-9629

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SOURCE Makovsky & Company