McCann Health promotes Amar Urhekar to lead Americas; Mark Worman to head APAC

Urhekar, currently executive vice-president, Asia-Pacific, has served as the agency's regional head since 2010. He will be based in New York and report to global CEO John Cahill.

McCann Health has created the new president position at a time of intensive change surrounding the consumerisation of healthcare in North America and Latin America, Urhekar told Campaign Asia-Pacific. "As the global leaders we want to make sure we are ready, not just to capitilise on those changes, but to realize what the changes are and partner with the various stakeholders as they embrace those changes."

Cahill echoed the theme. “There is an increasing confluence of stakeholders, with regulators, payers, providers and patients/consumers all encountering each other’s messages on a daily basis," he said in a statement. "The advent of the empowered health consumer in both the US and Latin America is creating greater opportunities to expand community health services and a new orientation towards the patient as a customer.” 

Urhekar's experience in Asia's volatile and emerging markets over the last 10 years will ensure the agency stays ahead of the curve and helps its clients take advantage of the large-scale growth opportunities that exist across the Americas, Urhekar said.  

Urhekar began his career with McCann Health in 2000 when he founded the agency in India. In 2004, he became managing director of McCann Health Greater China. He took the reins in Japan in 2009 before moving into his regional role in 2010.

Worman (left) will serve in a dual role as Asia-Pacific executive vice president and global marketing director. He has 18 years of experience with McCann Health, including a stint as APAC regional director from 1996 to 1998. He has also served as president of McCann Consumer Health New York (now Humancare), president of McCann Health UK, regional director for Europe, and most recently CEO of McCann Health in Australia.

Craig Kearney, most recently COO, will take over Worman's responsibilities in Australia.