SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – September 24, 2013 – Gary Pattison has been appointed Group Managing Director Ogilvy CommonHealth (OCHWW) Australia, replacing Graham Edwards who retires at the end of this year. The appointment takes effect immediately, according to a press release from Ogilvy CommonHeath Worldwide.
A 17-year veteran in commercial roles within health communication agencies both in the UK and in Australia, Pattison relocated to Sydney in 2006 from the UK to set up the first fully integrated, high-science, medical communication unit in Australia.
Within three years, Pattison led it to become an award-winning medical communication and medical education agency.
As a member of the Australian AFA Healthcare Communications Council for many years and an Effies judge, Pattison has been working with the Ogilvy CommonHealth team as an Operational Consultant for the past three months to help effect a timely and thorough handover from Graham.
Matt Giegerich (OCHWW Global Chairman and CEO) said on Graham’s departure: “He is a visionary leader who established us in the Australian healthcare communications market, and has over the years served Ogilvy Group illustriously under various roles, including managing the Asia Pacific Region. Graham has been both a colleague and a friend to many of us in the OCH family, and we are indebted to his vision and commitment for propelling us to our present position in the industry.“
On Pattison’s appointment, Rohit Sahgal (OCHWW Asia Pacific Director) said: “With every transition comes the chance to discover new leadership and to scour the industry for the absolute best. Australia has always played a prominent role in our region-wide footprint, and it was critical we got it right. I am delighted to announce that we have found just that individual in Gary Pattison. Gary is a seasoned communications professional with sound local and global experiences on pharmaceutical brand launches and disease area education programs, across a variety of therapeutic areas.“
For his part, Pattison said he was “delighted to be taking the helm of Ogilvy CommonHealth Australia. It’s a great honor to be on board and be associated with an iconic brand like Ogilvy. The global health network within Ogilvy has ambitious plans and I see an agile, inventive, connected and visionary group of health communication experts. I am looking forward to leading the group as we change, evolve and innovate in the new world of health and wellness. The prospect of building upon what we already have in Ogilvy CommonHealth in terms of our people, expertise and clients is a mouth-watering one."
Gary received a Business Economics Honors degree from the University of Durham, UK.
