Athena Medical PR - News Archive

Pants off to REACT 1st November 2007

Athena Medical PR's staff took part in their final fundraiser of the year on 31st October, in support of local charity REACT - Rapid Effective Assistance for Children with potentially Terminal illness. As part of their 2007 corporate campaign to highlight 10 successful years in business, Athena has taken part in a number of fundraising events for REACT throughout the year, including the British 10k run, in July.

Staff and colleagues raised money by guessing how many pairs of pants were needed to fill a washing machine and the total number needed on the day was 110 pairs of pants. In addition, celebrities such as This Morning's Dr Chris Steele, Lorraine Kelly and Paul O'Grady kindly donated a signed pair of pants for the challenge, which were auctioned off after the event, to raise further funds for the charity. This event in combination with Athena's other fundraising activities throughout the year has raised a total of £3000 for REACT.

Athena chose this challenge to highlight the practical support REACT gives to financially disadvantaged families living with children with life limiting diseases in the UK. Such practical support includes providing items like washing machines at short notice in the event of breakdowns so that families can continue to care for their sick child without disruption. The washing machine was donated to REACT after the event, which will then be passed on to a family in need.

Commenting on the initiative, Rebecca from REACT said "We are immensely grateful to Athena Medical PR Ltd for their support and wish them every success with their fundraising efforts. 'Pants Off to React' is a wonderful use of initiative and we hope this will inspire others to come up with different fundraising ideas to support React".

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Athena appoints Jennifer Wilson as Director of International Business Unit August 2007

Jennifer Wilson has joined Athena Medical PR from Roche, as Director, International Business Unit. Formerly an International Communications Manager based at Roche's HQ in Basel, Switzerland, Jennifer will head up international accounts for Athena.

With a career in pharmaceuticals spanning nearly 20 years, Jennifer brings a wealth of international communications experience to the agency. Commenting on her appointment, Jennifer said; “Athena stands out as a progressive, creative and highly customer focused agency and I am excited at being part of the team.”

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Cherry Wood awarded 'Communiquétor of the Year' July 2007

Athena Medical PR's Managing Director, Cherry Wood, has been awarded the prestigious 'Communiquétor of the Year' at this year's Communiqué Awards, hosted at the Grosvenor Hotel in London (12th July).

Commenting on the win, Cherry said “I am delighted to receive the Communiquétor of the Year award. 2006 was a fantastic year for us, with several new business wins, four Communiqué awards, excellent staff retention and company growth. I am thrilled to be recognised for this hard work and achievement in the midst of Athena's 10 year celebrations.”

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Athena's 10k run for children's charity, REACT July 2007

Ten of Athena Medical PR's staff and associates took part in the British 10k run on Sunday 1st July to raise money for children's charity, REACT. The west London based charity (Rapid Effective Assistance for Children with Potentially Terminal illness) provides practical help to improve the quality of life for children with life-limiting illnesses living at home in financially disadvantaged families throughout the UK.

The event, which is expected to raise in the region of £1500-£2000 for the charity, kicks off a number of Athena '10' themed fund-raising activities to celebrate its 10th anniversary. These activities include a 10,000ft sky-dive and a charity 10 pub crawl, all taking place in 2007, to raise money for REACT.

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Athena marks decade of success with 10th birthday party June 2007

Athena Medical PR hosted its 10th birthday party at Il Bottaccio on 14th June to mark a decade of success in the healthcare PR industry. Over 100 guests; which included clients from past and present, journalists whom have a strong association with Athena and personnel from across the pharmaceutical industry joined the agency in their celebrations. The guests were entertained by stilt walkers, popular magician 'Magic Junior' as well as live music from the acid jazz band the James Taylor Quartet.

Cherry Wood, Managing Director and founder of Athena back in 1997, commented “It was a fantastic night. I was absolutely delighted to be surrounded by so many of Athena's associates, who came to celebrate with us. Here's to the next ten wonderful years for Athena.”

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Three new staff members for Athena as 10th year celebrations continue June 2007

Athena Medical PR has appointed three new staff members, following its double Pfizer pitch win earlier in 2007. Sarah Tomlinson joins as an Account Co-ordinator, Sophie Asker, takes the position of Account Executive and Tania Kouprach-Rolandi Senior Account Executive.

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Athena's 10th year celebrations continue with Pfizer double anti-infective pitch win April 2007

Athena Medical PR has been appointed by Pfizer Ltd. to run the UK PR campaigns for two of its anti-infective products: MRSA antibiotic; Zyvox, and antifungal; Vfend. The accounts were won in two separate, 4-way pitches and will be headed up by Account Directors Emma Keeling and Michelle Cammack respectively.

MRSA is currently the subject of enormous public, political and media interest, and Athena's remit is to develop a professional relations, political and media campaign to reach key audiences, promote optimal management of MRSA, and improve patient outcome.

Vfend is used to treat invasive fungal infections, including those caused by Aspergillus and other species of fungi. Athena has been brought in to strategically advise on, and implement an advocacy and medical education programme to raise the profile of Pfizer and Vfend in the anti-fungal market.

Commenting on the wins, Beverley Evans, Director of Athena's UK Business Unit said “It is fantastic to be able to work with Pfizer in such an interesting therapeutic area at a time when they are expanding their portfolio. We have a long history of working with Pfizer, including running the highly successful annual Pfizer Oncology Forum taking place at the end of April".

Athena's 10th year celebratory corporate activities continue, to promote their first decade of outstanding and award winning work.

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Athena kicks off 10 years of success with charity partnership March 2007

Athena Medical PR is delighted to announce its support of children's charity, REACT. The west London based charity (Rapid Effective Assistance for Children with Potentially Terminal illness) is working to improve the quality of life for financially disadvantaged children with life-limiting illnesses living in the UK. The partnership will not only raise much needed money for REACT, but help to elevate its profile through planned media activity.

A number of other activities to promote Athena's first decade of outstanding and award winning work are planned to help drive its continuing success in the next ten years and beyond, some of which are underway.

Commenting on the initiative, Cherry Wood, Managing Director at Athena commented: “REACT is a local charity which does wonderful work, but needs more support. We are delighted to be associated with REACT this year and in the future.”

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Athena appoints new Account Director October 2006

Athena Medical PR is delighted to announce the appointment of Emma Keeling, who has joined Athena at Account Director level from Ruder Finn. With over 12 years working in communications, Emma brings a wealth of UK and international PR experience, including oncology, cardiovascular disease, gastroenterology and vaccination / public health.

“Emma has extensive PR experience working across a number of therapeutic areas at various agencies, and is well placed to help drive Athena's continuing success” commented Cherry Wood, Managing Director of Athena.

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Athena and AstraZeneca in secondment partnership October 2006

Athena Medical PR is delighted to announce a six-month secondment initiative with AstraZeneca. Michelle Cammack, Communiqué Young Achiever of the Year 2006, takes the position of Brand Communications Manager for AZ's breast cancer portfolio, while Kate Jefferson, AZ's Seroquel Brand Manager joins Athena as an Account Director.

Commenting on the initiative, Cherry Wood, Managing Director of Athena said, “This is an exciting and innovative partnership to be involved in, with both parties set to gain from the experience. Michelle and Kate will provide a wealth of knowledge and experience in their new roles, as well as gaining new skills and understanding to take back to their respective employers in April 2007”.

This is the first time Athena or AstraZeneca has offered a secondment of this kind, and depending on the success of this pilot, it may pave the way for such moves in the future.

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Success again for Athena at the 2006 Communiqué Awards July 2006

Athena Medical PR had another fantastic night at the 2006 Communiqué Awards winning four awards and bringing the agency's awards total to 12 in the last two years – 500% more than any other agency!

Commenting on the wins Athena's MD Cherry Wood said, “Winning awards is great but what is more important is that our peer group and industry communications experts are recognising that Athena consistently delivers excellent PR programmes for medicines which help to ensure that patients receive optimum care”.

The wins came for the innovative and successful campaigns that Athena had planned and implemented in the past year.

Best Product Campaign – Dovobet building the brand for LEO Pharma
Best Opinion Leader / Advocacy Development – Dovobet Advocacy Programme for LEO Pharma
Best Corporate PR Campaign – IDIS
Young Achiever of the Year – Account Director Michelle Cammack

For photos of the event and full listings of all the evenings' winners please visit: http://www.pmlive.com/communique/awards.cfm

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