Big Four Agency APAC Offering Expansion

VectoRx was engaged to launch one of the big four advertising agency holding groups' specialist below-the-line healthcare operations in Asia Pacific to complement its existing promotional advertising business and significantly grow its key Asian healthcare operations.

Overview

A major global advertising agency sought to expand its offerings in Asia-Pacific (APAC) by establishing a medical communications division. The aim was to build a cohesive regional unit that could deliver innovative, science-driven solutions while integrating with the agency’s global operations and complementing its existing consumer health promotional business. The initiative required unifying diverse country teams, leveraging existing resources, and launching a business unit equipped to meet the region's unique healthcare communication challenges.

Challenge

1. Regional Fragmentation: Country teams operated in silos, with limited cross-market collaboration or alignment with the global holding group.
2. Capability Gaps: Teams lacked the resources and structures to deliver high-quality, scalable medical communications services.
3. Complex Market Dynamics: APAC markets vary widely in healthcare regulations, client needs, and levels of maturity in medical communications.
4. Integration Requirements: Aligning the new division with global operations and resources was critical to success.

Solution

1. Strategic Planning and Business Structuring

• Conducted a comprehensive needs assessment across APAC markets, identifying gaps in capabilities, key client opportunities, and regional priorities.
• Designed a scalable business model tailored to APAC, balancing regional autonomy with global integration.
• Developed a framework for country-specific and regional-level collaboration to optimize resource sharing and streamline operations.

2. Unifying Country Teams

• Brought together country teams from key APAC markets, including Japan, South Korea, China, India, and Southeast Asia.
• Facilitated workshops and strategy sessions to align teams on common goals, processes, and standards.
• Fostered cross-market knowledge sharing, emphasizing best practices in medical communications and client engagement.

3. Integration with Global Operations

• Established clear communication channels with the global holding group to leverage expertise, tools, and resources.
• Integrated regional teams into the global network, aligning with international best practices in medical and scientific communications.
• Ensured the APAC division had access to global thought leadership, creative resources, and cutting-edge technologies.

4. Launch Execution

• Defined the new division’s service offerings, including strategic planning, content development, and KOL engagement.
• Positioned the division as a leader in delivering high-impact, science-driven communication solutions tailored to APAC's diverse markets.
• Rolled out a targeted marketing campaign to showcase the division’s capabilities to key clients and stakeholders.

5. Organizational Restructuring

• Restructured the regional organization to include dedicated medical communications teams in each market, supported by centralized strategic leadership.
• Introduced new roles to fill critical capability gaps, such as scientific directors, medical writers, and digital specialists.

Results

1. Business Growth and Market Leadership

• Successfully launched the APAC medical communications division, achieving strong initial client engagement and revenue growth.
• Positioned the division as a trusted partner for pharmaceutical and healthcare clients across the region.

2. Enhanced Collaboration

• Unified previously fragmented country teams, creating a collaborative regional network.
• Improved efficiency and innovation by leveraging cross-market insights and global resources.

3. Client Impact

• Delivered high-quality medical communications solutions tailored to the unique needs of APAC clients, driving client satisfaction and loyalty.
• Established the division as a go-to provider for strategic, science-driven healthcare communications in the region.

4. Scalable Framework

• Built a replicable framework for integrating medical communications capabilities in other regions, aligning local teams with global operations.

Key Takeaways

• Strategic Planning: Comprehensive planning and a deep understanding of regional market dynamics were critical to success.
• Collaboration and Integration: Unifying country teams and aligning with global operations enabled the division to deliver consistent, high-quality services.
• Client-Centric Focus: Tailoring solutions to the diverse needs of APAC markets ensured strong client relationships and market relevance.
• Innovation and Scalability: The division was designed to adapt and grow, setting the stage for long-term success.

This case study showcases VectoRx expertise in driving complex business transformations, aligning teams, and launching high-impact initiatives in dynamic markets.