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WeissComm Group Senior Staff Address Social Media Technology and Clinical Trial Communications at BIO International Convention

Posted on: Tuesday, 19 May 2009, 07:00 CDT

NEW YORK and SAN FRANCISCO, May 19 /PRNewswire/ -- WeissComm Group, the parent company of WeissComm Partners, Invigorate Communications, and ODA, announced today that Brian Reid, Media Director, and Sue Hager, Director of Corporate Communications & Investor Relations at WeissComm Partners, are participating in panel discussions at the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) International Convention.

Details on the panel discussions:

• Brian Reid, Media Director:
  • Title: Spreading the Word: New Technologies Mean Everyone Is a Journalist
  • Day and time: Tuesday, May 19th at 4:00 p.m. ET
  • Panel members: Brian Reid, Media Director, WeissComm Partners; Shwen Gwee, Lead Business Analyst, Health Informatics and New Media, Vertex Pharmaceuticals; Ed Silverman, Bureau Chief, Elsevier; Jerry Johnson, EVP, Brodeur Partners; Jennifer McCabe Gorman, Chief Patient Advocate, OrganizedWisdom
  • Abstract: 2008 was a landmark year in health-related communications, but not in the typical ways. High-profile science reporters at publications from USA Today to the Washington Post accepted buyouts and exited traditional media, as new and varied voices emerged in all areas related to biotechnology. New technologies, such as the micro-blogging site Twitter, have emerged and "old" technology, like blogging, has matured, allowing an unprecedented level of communication among scientists, the media and the public.
• Sue Hager, Director, Corporate Communications & Investor Relations:
  • Title: What to Say, When and How: Navigating the minefield when communicating clinical trial results, FDA actions and interactions with regulatory agencies
  • Day and time: Tuesday, May 19th at 10:00 a.m. ET
  • Panel members: Megan Gates, Partner, Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky & Popeo, PC.; Donna LaVoie, President & CEO, LaVoie Group; Annette Grimaldi, Managing Director, Head of Life Sciences Group, Jefferies & Company, Inc.; and Susan Hager, Director, Corporate Communications & Investor Relations, Weisscomm Partners
  • Abstract: Failure to efficiently, timely and effectively communicate clinical trial results and FDA actions can result in massive stock price declines, angry stockholders and employees, EMEA, FDA and SEC investigations, painful delays in future trials, and even compromised patient safety. Extreme care must be taken at each stage of your drug discovery process to manage your disclosures appropriately, keeping in mind legal, regulatory, market and public affairs concerns. Particular concern arises when shareholders expect details on FDA actions and a company is unable to give out any information without jeopardizing its relationship. Further, there is always the risk of needing to recant. And how best can you leverage the disclosure of good news? Come listen to a panel of experts discuss their experiences, and share suggestions for best practices, navigating the minefield of disclosure in the life sciences world.

"WeissComm was founded on the communications needs of the biotechnology industry," said Diane Weiser, president and COO. "As the industry and related communication requirements and channels evolve, it's important that we share our expertise and help our clients navigate the new terrain, particularly with regard to engaging in social media."

About WeissComm Group

Led by Chairman and CEO Jim Weiss, WeissComm Group is a diversified media services company meeting the diverse corporate and product marketing communications needs of leading healthcare companies comprising WeissComm Partners, the largest independent communications agency focused exclusively on the healthcare industry; Invigorate Communications, an agency focused on helping companies build health-based brands; and ODA, an innovative creative services agency that works with healthcare companies to cultivate valuable brands across a variety of marketing channels.

Serving clients globally with offices in San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Washington, D.C. and London, WeissComm Group's seasoned professionals specialize in branding, design, digital and traditional marketing, corporate and product PR, media, investor and advocacy relations, clinical trial recruitment and grassroots direct-to-patient communications programs and awareness campaigns. For more information, please visit www.wcgglobal.com.

SOURCE WeissComm Group

Source: PR Newswire

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