Today, Publicis Health announced the integration of Publicis LifeBrands Medicus (PLBM) into Saatchi & Saatchi Wellness (SSW), effective immediately.
All employees of PLBM moved into the headquarters of the latter organization at 355 Park Avenue South today. A spokesperson clarified that the move is an integration, not a merger, and that no staffing reductions took place as a result.
Moving forward, Saatchi & Saatchi Wellness managing director JD Cassidy will hold the same role in the new organization, which will also bear the SSW name. This change applies only to North America, and the PLBM brand will live on in Japan.
According to a press release, the combined entity will create a new “Wellness Intelligence-driven agency designed to help health and wellness-oriented audiences navigate the expanding ‘Wellness Culture.'”
The move follows Publicis consolidating Publicis Life Brands Medicus and Digitas Health LifeBrands last year.
“Healthcare professionals, caregivers and patient-consumers are empowered and engaged in well-being like never before, and healthcare communication needs to keep pace in order to help change behavior and improve lives,” global group president, communications and media, Publicis Health Alexandra von Plato explained in a statement. “By combining PLBM’s expertise in the professional space with SSW’s executional excellence and data and creative prowess, we can leverage the best of both brands to make a creative and strategic powerhouse that continues to exceed client expectations and motivate people to action.”
According to a press release, “wellness culture,” or consumers increasing concern with the impact of their consumption habits on their bodies and the environment has contributed to a wellness industry that grew 11 percent last year to total of over $3.7 trillion. Saatchi & Saatchi Wellness will be responsible for creating “work that helps brands and people navigate their way through this evolving phenomenon.”
“Wellness Culture is increasingly becoming an important factor in society and in communications,” added Publicis Health global chief creative officer Kathy Delaney. “Wellness Intelligence gives us the ability to harness the power of scientific storytelling to translate complex, abstract medical or scientific ideas into simple, motivating human terms, thereby making creative that resonates on a personal, human level.”
“The consolidation of PLBM and SSW lets us create brands within health and wellness that are more responsive to consumer needs, resonate in today’s Wellness Culture, and over-perform in the marketplace,” added Cassidy. “I look forward to taking the new SSW to the next level.”
According to the spokesperson, additional leadership changes should be announced in coming weeks.