Edelman has named Courtney Gray Haupt and Jen Hauser global co-chairs of its health sector, effective July 1.
As co-chairs, Gray Haupt and Hauser will lead and evolve the firm’s largest sector, its work and its teams, while continuing to provide strategic communications advisory to Edelman’s top clients, the agency said in a statement.
Gray Haupt and Hauser will join the community of global practice and sector leaders currently led by chair of the practice Alex Thompson.
Gray Haupt, a member of PRWeek’s Health Influencer and Women of Distinction classes, has been with Edelman for 14 years, most recently as chair of U.S. Health, a role she will retain as part of her new title, and as global health COO. During her tenure, she led international campaigns on vaccine confidence, antimicrobial resistance and mental health and directed global efforts on healthcare trade policy and medical research.
Before joining Edelman, Gray Haupt served as VP of public affairs and health policy for Spectrum Science, also holding stints as VP of government affairs and communications for Washington Health Advocates, where she focused on NIH, CDC and FDA policy and patient advocacy and managing global advocacy programs for the Association of Clinical Research Organizations.
Hauser has been with Edelman for 19 years, most recently as global client leader to health clients, a role she will also retain in addition to the co-chair title.
Hauser has led global client relationships for GSK, Haleon, Alcon, Reckitt and the American Heart Association at the firm. She joined Edelman in 2005 after building her own marketing and communications firm, Hauser Bragg Communications, specializing in consumer lifestyle and health companies and brands. She sold the agency to Havas in 2002.
The new appointments follow recent departures from Edelman’s health sector. Lori Kifer Johnson, former EVP of US health, left the agency after 16 years earlier this month to join AdventHealth as VP of corporate communications. Alexis Elder, who previously served as EVP and global client lead for CVS Health, announced her departure from the firm after over 17 years in a LinkedIn post this month.
Edelman’s health and brand creative teams were recognised this week at the 2024 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Edelman and Salutem, a DJE health agency, won Silver Lions for client Sanofi’s Allegra Airways campaign in Health & Wellness Lions and for client Dove’s Code My Crown campaign in both the Entertainment/Gaming Lions and the PR Lions. Code My Crown also achieved a Bronze Lion in Digital Craft Lions.
Edelman reported a revenue decrease of 4% to $1.04 billion globally and a 9% decrease to $639 million in the US in 2023, according to PRWeek’s Agency Business Report 2024.
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