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DeSalva Joins Hill & Knowlton As Head of Global Healthcare Practice

Posted on: Tuesday, 5 September 2006, 21:00 CDT

NEW YORK, Sept. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Hill & Knowlton, Inc., one of the world's premier communications consultancies, today announced that AnnaMaria DeSalva will join the firm as director of its worldwide healthcare practice effective October 1. DeSalva will establish and drive the firm's growth strategy in healthcare, integrating its assets to address the complex communications needs of client organizations active throughout the sector. DeSalva, who will be based in the firm's New York office, will report to Paul Taaffe, chairman and CEO, and will join the firm's worldwide executive committee.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060905/NYTU211 )

DeSalva brings substantial experience as a leading healthcare communicator, most recently directing GCI Group's healthcare practice through a period of significant expansion and working closely with clients in biopharmaceuticals, medical technology, information technology and the non-profit sector to develop markets, accelerate reputation and manage critical issues. Prior to joining GCI as healthcare practice leader in 2002, DeSalva spent six years in corporate affairs at Bristol-Myers Squibb. At BMS, DeSalva worked with marketing and government relations teams in Europe to drive reimbursement and adoption of the company's anti-cancer treatments, developed corporate affairs strategy for major markets in Latin America and Asia Pacific, and led strategic planning and international health programs at the Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation. DeSalva began her career working with major clients in the healthcare practices at Ogilvy and Ketchum.

"The leadership at Hill & Knowlton has prioritized further global achievement in healthcare as a top priority for the firm as we make steady gains against our growth strategy," said Paul Taaffe. "AnnaMaria's reputation for results is rooted in her significant experience as a strategist and in her talent for developing high performance teams. We are thrilled she is joining H&K, where she will have the widespread support of the firm to apply our diverse resources to the unique problems and opportunities facing organizations involved in improving human health."

In a new global practice structure, H&K will draw on its expertise in life sciences, technology, marketing, and its strong heritage in corporate and public affairs to expand its role across the healthcare ecosystem and drive stakeholder alignment for change in areas of greatest importance to clients. DeSalva will lead a global healthcare practice that is increasingly a key component in H&K's 40 country owned network.

"As health systems continue to strive for better and more sustainable models of care, communication strategy assumes an ever more central role as the major driver of successful transformation," DeSalva said. "I have been motivated my entire career to improve health through communication and I share the urgency and commitment of my clients to create a better future. I am honored and excited to join such a distinguished team at Hill &Knowlton, to help convert what I see as its unique opportunity to drive the success of organizations confronting and leading change in healthcare across the globe."

About Hill & Knowlton, Inc.

Hill & Knowlton, Inc. is a leading international communications consultancy, providing services to local, multinational and global clients. The firm is based in New York, with 71 offices in 40 countries, as well as an extensive associate network. The agency is part of WPP , one of the world's largest communications services groups.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060905/NYTU211AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN9PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

Hill & Knowlton, Inc.

CONTACT: Paul Taaffe, Chairman and CEO, +1-212-885-0300, or Nina Truman,Marketing Manager US, +1-212-885-0584, both of Hill & Knowlton, Inc.

Source: PRNewswire

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