Finalist
Merck, Sharpe & Dohme (MSD) UK
Summary of work
Faced with a range of unknown environmental factors from Brexit to wider reputational challenges, the External Affairs Team knew that in 2018 we had to work more collaboratively than ever and do things differently to achieve our objectives.
The Strategic Communications Team led on our internal and corporate communications, creating a strong multichannel corporate campaign including launching several social media channels. The Corporate Policy Team tackled policy issues both national and company-wide delivering strategic direction for political engagement. The Therapy Area Policy and Communications Team spanned the franchises, delivering programmes to support individual business goals and engaging cross-functionally across the organisation from Oncology to Vaccines.
Together we enhanced our position as a leader within MSD for new policy initiatives, developed strategic partnerships and built relationships with key policymakers, parliamentarians, advisers and ministers, patient groups and the media, drove forward our corporate reputation programme and narrative and focused on key priorities and initiatives that protect or grow our reputation and business.
Our appreciation of the power of collaborative working across our team, across MSD and with external partners helped us to deliver on the shared objective of enabling patients to access our innovative medicines to improve their health and well-being.
Judges’ comments
MSD had good outcomes and a very thoughtful submission. They challenged themselves with hard, effective initiatives and also demonstrated innovation in their approach.
