Ruder Finn Healthcare Announces Top Media Hires to Support Expanding Client Base

-Industry Veteran Mary Conway to Lead RF Healthcare Media Team-

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Apr 21, 2015, 09:30 ET

NEW YORK, April 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Ruder Finn, Inc., a leading independent global communications agency, today announced three new senior hires -- Mary Conway, Alice Sofield and Jenn Gordon -- to support the agency's Healthcare practice as it advances a three-year trajectory of double-digit revenue growth.

Conway, a founding member of the Chandler Chicco Companies who served as senior strategic counsel and media lead since 1995, will head up the RF Healthcare media offering. Joining Conway is Sofield, who brings 25 years of Beltway experience with a special focus on medical meetings, HHS and FDA activity, and Gordon, a CNN veteran and content generation specialist.

"Ruder Finn is known for flagship media expertise, and we are passionate about keeping clients ahead of 'what's next' across all media segments and channels," said Susan Goldstein, Chair, Worldwide Healthcare, Ruder Finn. "With four new, major healthcare assignments in the first quarter alone, RF Healthcare is poised for continued growth. Mary, Alice and Jenn are recognized powerhouse talents in the industry, and they will help us set an even higher bar for senior-level thought-partnership and impactful multi-channel engagement."

Mary Conway, Executive Vice President, Head, Healthcare Media
In her new role, Conway will lead the growing Healthcare media team to assure robust and successful media program development and execution. With more than 25 years of global healthcare communications experience, Conway brings a breadth of expertise around product communications, having managed every life stage of a brand from R&D to the loss of a patent. Her expertise has resulted in numerous industry awards, including the rare honor of earning the PRWeek "Healthcare Campaign of the Year" twice in four years. Under her leadership, her teams have generated a reach of more than a billion exposures for clients year over year. To bring messages to life, Conway is recognized for work with spokespeople ranging from A-list celebrities to C-suite executives. Her experience includes a range of disease categories and diverse patient audiences, as well as health campaigns for consumer and OTC products. Conway's portfolio also includes a variety of non-profit collaborations and initiatives to support disease awareness, physician-patient communication, and reinforce best health practices.

Alice Sofield, Senior Vice President, Media and Publicity Specialist
Sofield brings more than 25 years of industry experience in marketing communications, specifically media relations and publicity. Based in DC, Sofield will serve as the primary client media counsel for FDA and HHS activity. She also has extensive major medical meeting experience -- including AHA, ACC, ASCO, APA, ADA, TCT -- successfully promoting Phase 2 and Phase 3 clinical trial results. Her work has taken her to major media markets across the U.S., and she has established relationships with key healthcare and consumer reporters nationwide. Sofield has an acute understanding in a wide range of disease areas including oncology, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, respiratory disease, mental health and autoimmune disease. She has worked on numerous media teams for advisory committee meetings and drug approvals for INVOKANA, ZYTIGA, LATUDA, PROCRIT, LAP-BAND, Aranesp, Avelox, BOTOX, Cipro, Diovan, Elidel, Kineret, Abatacept, Rimonabant, Novolog, Treanda, Viracept and Zoloft, among others.

Jenn Gordon, Vice President, Media Specialist
Gordon has worked in public relations and journalism for more than 15 years, specializing in innovative storytelling. She has extensive experience in the development and execution of media strategies in both small and large-scale campaigns, and is an accomplished media trainer with extensive experience with patients and physicians. Recently, Gordon was media team leader of Mylan Specialty's "Get Schooled in Anaphylaxis" campaign, which was named PRWeek's "Healthcare Campaign of the Year 2014."

"Mary, Alice and Jenn bring a robust portfolio of healthcare media expertise that will only help catalyze the Healthcare practice's already strong momentum," said Kathy Bloomgarden, CEO, Ruder Finn. "These new hires underpin the agency's continued growth in our core strengths after a stellar start to 2015."

ABOUT RUDER FINN, INC.
Ruder Finn, Inc. is one of the world's largest independent communications agencies with dual headquarters in the U.S. and China. Founded in 1948, Ruder Finn serves the global and local communication needs of over 250 corporations, governments and non-profit organizations. The agency is organized around four strategic pillars that reflect its core areas of expertise: Health & Wellness, Corporate Reputation & Transformation, Technology & Innovation, and Consumer Connections. RFI Studios, the agency's full-service digital practice, leads the industry in designing and developing internal collaboration platforms, building conversations and communities around brands, and staying top-of-mind in the world of mobile applications. Ruder Finn's work, talent and culture have received industry-wide recognition, including the 2013 and 2014 Bulldog Stars of PR's Global Agency of Year Award in the Multinational Practice category and 2013 and 2014 PR News' Top Places to Work in PR Award. For more information, visit www.ruderfinn.com and whatsnext.ruderfinn.com.

CONTACT:
Meagan Sloan
Ruder Finn, Inc.
(212) 583-2760
[email protected]

SOURCE Ruder Finn