LONDON, Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- inChord Communications, the largest privately-held healthcare communications company in the world, announced today that it has acquired Junction 11, a UK-based healthcare advertising agency known internationally for its award-winning work.
The acquisition will enable inChord to expand its European capability by combining Junction 11’s staff and client base with its existing GSW Worldwide operation in London. GSW Worldwide is inChord’s flagship advertising agency. The new agency will be known as “GSW Worldwide/Junction 11.”
“Junction 11 has built an exceptional reputation in the healthcare industry and has made a habit of producing groundbreaking creative work,” said Phil Deschamps, president of GSW Worldwide. “GSW Worldwide has created a state-of-the-art global network comprised of the leading healthcare agencies throughout the world. We’re thrilled to be marrying these two great organizations and bringing their creative and strategic expertise together on behalf of our global clients.”
GSW Worldwide/Junction 11 will be led by Stephen Wheatley, who recently joined as president of the agency’s UK operations. Wheatley comes to GSW Worldwide from Euro RSCG Life where he most recently served as chief executive. He previously held positions with TBWA, Foote Cone and Belding, Euro RSCG Group and Ogilvy and Mather Advertising.
Junction 11, founded by John Greenwood, is among the fastest growing advertising agencies in the UK and is widely recognized for winning more creative awards than any other healthcare agency. Junction 11 has received top honors from the Healthcare Advertising Agencies Group (HAAG), the Global Awards, PM Society and Rx Club, among others.
“In looking for a global agency partner, we wanted a company that shared our same philosophies and values. We’ve found that with inChord and GSW Worldwide,” said Greenwood. “Together, we will offer clients unparalleled creative ideas and strategic direction.”
GSW Worldwide/Junction 11 will be based in London at Farringdon Point, but will also maintain an office in Surrey through early 2005. Clients will include Eli Lilly and Company, GlaxoSmithKline, Roche, Johnson & Johnson and Shire. GSW Worldwide/Junction 11 will serve as the European hub for GSW Worldwide’s global network, which includes affiliate agencies in 13 countries across the globe.
The new agency will employ approximately 25 people. Senior leadership will include Richard Rayment and John Timney, formerly of Junction 11, who will serve as co-creative directors; and Richard Hart, formerly of Junction 11, who will serve as client services director.
John Greenwood will help manage the agency transition over the next several weeks, with a planned retirement at the end of the year.
Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, GSW Worldwide is a full-service marketing and advertising agency providing Liberating Ideas(SM) to clients worldwide through offices around the globe. In April 2004, the agency was named Agency of the Year by Med Ad News. GSW Worldwide is a subsidiary of inChord Communications Inc, a global marketing organization that provides communications solutions to the healthcare industry. With capitalized billings of $885 million, inChord is the largest privately-held company in its industry. For more information, please go to http://www.gsw-w.com/ or http://www.inchord.com/ .
inChord Communications
CONTACT: Marcia Frederick of inChord Communications, +1-614-543-6281, ormfrederick@inchord.com ; or Stephen Wheatley of GSW Worldwide-Junction 11,+44 (0) 207 611 8003, or swheatley@gsw-w.com