The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) has chosen Weber Shandwick to support its public affairs and communications work.
The appointment is intended to help the UK pharma trade body to strengthen its proactive engagement with key stakeholders, it said in a statement.
The consultancy took effect on January 1, 2014, and will cover public affairs monitoring, in addition to the provision of policy, public affairs and communications support to the in-house team.
ABPI communications director Catherine Meaden said that the standard of proposals received for the contract was extremely high.
“Weber Shandwick stood out by presenting a compelling campaigning approach as well as having a good understanding of the ABPI’s priorities,” said Meaden.
“We are very much looking forward to working with them on proactive engagement with our stakeholders on significant issues and to showcase the valuable contribution industry makes,” she added.
The account will be led by Weber Shandwick’s head of healthcare public affairs Tamora Langley.
“The ABPI has a fantastic story to tell in 2014, and we are very excited to be working with them,” she said.
Langley added that the pharmaceutical industry is key to the UK’s economic recovery, and that growth remains “the single most pressing issue” ahead of the general election.
“This pre-election period provides a unique opportunity for the ABPI to set the industry agenda and we look forward to helping support the objectives of the Association and its members,” she said.
Prior to Weber Shandwick’s appointment, MHP provided policy, public affairs and communications support to the ABPI in-house team, while Luther Pendragon provided public affairs monitoring.
However, the ABPI severed ties with Luther Pendragon after the pharma body became aware that the agency listed tobacco companies among its clients.