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Q&A: Jessica Pacey

PME interviews the founder and chief executive of newly launched health comms agency, 67health

Jessica Pacey

What gets you out of bed in the morning?

On a weekday? The job I love. Delivering a piece of work that’s going to make my client look awesome at the same time as positively impacting patients’ quality of life. On a weekend? Brunch.

What’s the best thing about working in healthcare comms?

The opportunity to make a genuine and positive difference to people’s lives.

What’s the worst thing about working in healthcare comms?

When fear of challenging the status quo inhibits brilliant ideas from becoming a reality. Yes, we have to work within a very strict code and a critically important one at that, but some of the best campaigns are worth the more difficult conversations with regulatory teams to shape something both pioneering and code compliant.

What’s your favourite bar or eatery?

I’m currently enjoying the summer menu at The AllBright – a members’ club designed with female entrepreneurs in mind; providing a refreshing, yet focused place to work and build a network of like- minded, inspirational women.

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Which book/film would you recommend above all others and why?

I find myself incessantly recommending my favourite read of the year so far: A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. Not an easy subject matter, but an achingly beautiful account of the lifelong impact of childhood trauma.

Which buzzwords/office-jargon get on your nerves?

Every industry is guilty of interminable jargon-use I’m sure, but ‘reach out’ is one of ours that particularly makes my skin crawl.

Which person, living or dead, do you admire the most and why?

Nineteenth century humanitarian and philanthropist Henrietta Barnett. I had the privilege of attending the school she set up to educate young women who, at the time, didn’t have the same opportunities as their male peers.

Who is your healthcare comms hero/heroine?

There are so many people who have inspired me over the years, but I would have to say my greatest healthcare comms hero is my mentor, friend and former boss, Alexa Forbes. Watching her success in running her own agency for more than 25 years and the respect and loyalty she earned from those around her as a result was one of my main motivators to start up on my own...

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What has been your career highlight to date?

Taking the plunge to launch my own agency.

What’s your golden rule/piece of advice for someone starting a career in healthcare comms?

It’s all about people: the colleagues, clients and communities you work with. If you’re true to yourself in delivering work that you believe in (and honest about it when a client would be better off spending their money elsewhere to meet their objectives), you will inevitably reap the rewards. I hadn’t realised how precious it is to work with people who know your values and share them until I set up on my own.