LOS ANGELES and SAN FRANCISCO, June 2 /PRNewswire/ -- b360, a new full-service, multi-disciplinary communications agency, today announced the results of a national survey of healthcare executives, including leaders of medical device manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies and biotech firms located throughout the United States. b360 is a new agency that combines the strengths of The Appleman Group in Los Angeles with Convergencies and e-Storm, both based in San Francisco.
b360's survey revealed that more than seventy (70.5) percent said the outlook for their companies was excellent or above average for the balance of 2004. Twenty-six percent predicted 2004 will be about the same as last year for their businesses. Fifty-nine (59.34) percent of the executives believe the economy is "somewhat better" this year over last year. Nineteen (18.68) percent said the economy is "much better" than it was last year.
"The outlook for all segments of the healthcare industry is looking robust," said Todd Appleman, president of The Appleman Group, and a co-founder and partner of b360. "The results of this executive survey confirms that medical device companies, biotech and pharmaceutical companies, are outpacing most industries in terms of growth in revenue, creation of jobs and R&D expenditures. Eighty-one (81.32) percent plan of the executives told us they plan to add jobs this year. And with this growth, we are seeing marketing and communications budgets rise as well."
The executives polled said they would be increasing spending on communications and marketing services. Thirty-seven (37.18) percent said they plan to increase spending on integrated marketing programs. Public relations services (up 54.76 percent) and spending on Websites (48.84 percent) and medical trade meetings (46.99 percent) ranked highest among the executives polled in terms of plans for increased spending in 2004. More than 71 (71.59) percent of the executives said alliances and new partnerships would be a high priority in 2004 with increased spending as part of their overall marketing initiatives.
"In 2003, the economy was an issue," said William Gaultier, president of e-Storm and co-founder and partner of b360. "In 2004, it is clear from the results of this survey that healthcare executives are most worried about sources of financing, FDA/regulatory hurdles as well as reimbursement issues -- all indicators that the healthcare category is on fire."
Mark Sloneker, president of Convergencies, a San Francisco-based design firm, and co-founder and partner of b360, added the new firm will specialize in collaborating with clients to find the right communications mix to help clients seize on market opportunities, realize measurable ROI for their communications expenditures and improving relationships with customers and other key audiences.
About b360
b360 specializes in blending emerging technologies with traditional media to help clients achieve key business objectives including launching new businesses, building new brands and reviving old ones. The agency is a full-service communications firm that is recognized for offering a unique approach to designing high impact strategic communications solutions for companies in all sectors of the healthcare industry. The agency's clients include Gazoontite, Chiron, IMS Health, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, Allergan, and Sandoz Nutrition. For additional information about b360, visit http://www.b360.com/.
Survey Methodology
This survey of senior healthcare executives (medical device, biotech, pharmaceutical companies) was sponsored by b360 and utilized online interviews with a non-random sample of 101 executives in various job roles.
b360CONTACT: Todd Appleman of The Appleman Group, +1-800-892-9551
Web site: http://www.b360.com/
