Interpublic Group (IPG)-owned communications firm Golinharris has opened a new London-based healthcare agency to complement its Virgo Health business.
Golinharris Healthcare Practice will provide medical public relations for prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) products, including health-related consumer goods, as well as medical education and scientific writing.
The team of five will be led by Virgo Health’s director of consumer health Siân Boisseau, who said: “Establishing a healthcare team in London opens up wonderful opportunities to work with new and different clients and to be an integral part of Golinharris, while also bringing Virgo’s unmatched healthcare insight to the table”.
The agency has already begun adding names to its client roster, including Belgium OTC healthcare company Omega Pharma’s entire portfolio, comprising weight loss aid XLS- Medical, sleep aid Nytol, pain relief brand Solpadeine, plus TCP and Jungle Formula.
“We have enjoyed an excellent relationship with Omega Pharma in recent years so we are overjoyed to have the opportunity to support their entire portfolio,” Boisseau added.
Golinharris acquired Virgo Health last year and the opening of the new healthcare practice is the second major collaboration between the two brands, following the recent launch of a digital healthcare initiative called Go Digital Health.
Angie Wiles, joint MD of Global Healthcare Practice and chief executive of Virgo Health, explained: “The Golinharris Healthcare Practice and Virgo Health brands sit alongside each other within IPG, collaborating where appropriate, but separate where client conflicts exist.
“It is therefore a very natural but important progression for us to establish a healthcare team within Golinharris London that can also deliver the uncompromised health communications for which Virgo has become known.”
Matt Neale, president international at Golinharris, said: “With Siân and her team joining Golinharris London, we’re able to offer award-winning healthcare work from day one.”