New health exec at MSL Group

Publicis' speciality communications, engagement and PR unit MSL Group has hired David Bashaw to serve in the newly created role of senior vice president, deputy healthcare practice director, MSL New York, reporting to Jeanine O'Kane, North America healthcare director, MSL Group.

Bashaw will work with O'Kane to manage the healthcare portfolio of the New York office. He will also oversee day-to-day operations and help drive business development for MSL New York Healthcare, whose clients include pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and consumer healthcare companies.

Bashaw joins the company from Ogilvy PR, where he was a senior vice president focused on a number of products in the men's health and diabetes areas. Before being hired by Ogilvy in 2004, he was with Edelman for four years, serving as a senior vice president/group head on a number of pharmaceutical accounts.

"David has a wealth of expertise in product communications and advocacy relations, and these assets will help our practice fulfill its vision of providing unbound insights to our clients in the evolving conversation economy,” O'Kane said.

Bashaw has worked with advocacy organisations including the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Academy of Family Physicians, Society for Women's Health Research and Men's Health Network.