Leaders in Pharmaceutical Business Intelligence (LPBI) Group

Gail S. Thornton, PhD(c),  Contributing Editor, Author and Medical Writer, Marketing Communications Expert

Roles @LPBI

• Gail is producer of content in her domains of knowledge and creator of editorial content

Science: Primary qualitative data collection, including editorial content creation. Interviewing techniques for content creation: e-Voices of Patients and Podcasts with scientific leaders, Customer Surveys design and collateral marketing communication content production. 

Business: Global communications consultant in pharmaceuticals/health care and biotechnology

Business Development responsibilities @LPBI: Monthly Newsletter and e-Voices Podcasts, emergence of an Audio & Video Library

Updated: August 2020

Gail S. Thornton

Chester, New Jersey 07930

908-879-9295 (Home) 908-392-3420 (Mobile)

gailsthornton@yahoo.com; gst@worldviewcomms.com

 GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS / PUBLIC RELATIONS

Accomplished communications executive with global experience in pharmaceuticals/health care and biotechnology.

• Adviser to business partners and C-suite executives;
• Strategic, collaborative and outcomes-oriented leader;
• Consistent producer of results that further strategic objectives, engage stakeholders and strengthen company and brand reputation; and
• Proven expertise in up-leveling global communications functions, creating high-performing global teams.

Demonstrated track record in developing and leading U.S. and international communications to support business strategy and priorities, including executive, acquisition/partnerships, corporate reputation, manufacturing milestones, franchise public relations, media relations/social media, employee communications, crisis and issues management and industry analyst relations.

Provide high-level counsel to business leaders and executives. Establish thought-leadership platforms for executive, company reputation activities and product communications campaigns.

Experience in recruiting and developing talent globally and leading high-performing teams to evolve the communications function to anticipate and stay ahead of business needs. Skilled at building and cultivating a network of global media.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

WORLDVIEW COMMUNICATIONS (www.worldviewcomms.com), Founder and Global Communications Consultant, Chester, New Jersey ∙ January 2012 – Present

Global communications consultancy which partners with clients in pharmaceuticals/health care and biotechnology, to develop internal and external communications in support of business strategy and priorities.

Sampling of selected clients include:

• Merck Animal Health (pharmaceuticals) – Corporate communications, acquisition communications, reputation and branding projects, digital and social media, internal communications, product publicity and product/data launches for five brand teams, media relations, and issues management and support of corporate functions in animal health business (2017 to present).
• IM HealthScience (CEO Fred Hassan, medical food) – Strategic communications planning, medical and consumer product launches and scientific data, media relations, social media, targeted bloggers in U.S. for IBgard, a non-prescription product for irritable bowel syndrome, FDgard, a non-prescription product for functional dyspepsia, and Fiber Choice, over-the-counter fiber supplement (2015 to present).
• Physician’s Seal (President Dan Hassan, medical food) – Strategic commuications planning, medical and consumer product launch and scientific data, media relations, targeted bloggers in U.S. for REMfresh, a non-prescription product for sleep (2017 to present).
• Leaders in Pharmaceutical Business Intelligence (CEO Dr. Aviva Lev-Ari, LPBI) Group (pharma/biotech web site with 1 million readers) – Contributing Editor, Medical Writer and Author (2015 to present).
• Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa (CEO Leymah Gbowee, Non-profit organization that empowers women and youth based in Liberia) – Developed global communications strategy, including press release development, media relations, web development and social media outreach for Ms. Leymah Gbowee, Nobel Peace Prize winner, and her foundation in Liberia (2015 to present).
• Dompé S.p.A. (CEO Eugenio Aringhieri, Italian biopharmaceutical) – Strategic communications planning, media relations, product communications, patient advocacy, company branding in oncology, diabetes, ophthalmology and pancreatic islet cell transplantation (2013-2016, 2019).
• Cedars-Sinai Precision Medicine Initiative in Brain Cancer (personalized targeted approach for malignant brain tumors) – Strategic communications planning to raise awareness for neurosurgeon Dr. Chirag Patil and his groundbreaking work with targeted drug therapy for brain tumors with top-tier, medical and specialized media, social media, influential bloggers, patient advocacy groups (2015- 2016).
• Humacyte, Inc. (CEO Carrie Cox, U.S./Europe biotechnology) – Strategic communications planning, media relations, data support at medical meetings and clinical/regulatory milestones, partnership deals for innovative bioengineered blood vessel technology (2013-2014).

MERCK, Whitehouse Station, New Jersey ∙ February 2010 – December 2011

Vice President/Head of Emerging Markets Communications

• Led the planning and development of internal and external communications for Merck’s Emerging Markets geographies, including media relations and crisis communications ensuring region and local alignment.
• Created web presence and regular flow of internal articles as well as organized internal town halls in headquarters and key countries and feedback mechanism.
• Drove positive publicity in Emerging Markets for company and regional activities, as well as CEO, EVP and President, and developed appropriate monthly briefing books.
• Built first-ever team of 60 communicators in 90+ countries to establish, strengthen and unify communications. Hired and supervised communicators supporting regional units.
• Supported business development by creating internal and external communications around medium to large partnerships and collaborations, including signing ceremonies and press events, i.e., China, India, Brazil, Korea, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Russia.
• Proactively managed issues to minimize negative impact, particularly in Asia-Pacific.

 

SCHERING-PLOUGH CORPORATION, Kenilworth, New Jersey ∙ April 2004 – January 2010

(Acquired by Merck)

Vice President, International Communications

• Served as part of merger transition team between Merck and Schering-Plough.
• Supported five region presidents and 60 general managers, including countries without dedicated communications capabilities.
• Positioned and prepared CEO, regional and local management for media opportunities.
• Built first-ever team of 35 communications’ professionals in 17 countries within Europe, Canada, Latin America, Asia-Pacific and Japan to establish and strengthen communications.
• Served as APAC regional communications lead by establishing product communications efforts, including media relations and patient advocacy activities for hepatitis, women’s health in Asia-Pacific, Europe and Latin America.
• Proactively managed issues to minimize negative impact, formed country teams and held media training sessions globally.
• Handled regulatory approval of opioid dependence product (SUBOXONE) internationally and managed issues of abuse and diversion of SUBUTEX.
• Created and conducted yearly global communications meetings for 19 countries in Dublin, Budapest and USA.
• Developed internal and web communications, including video and articles.

PFIZER INC. , Peapack, New Jersey ∙ April 2003 – March 2004

(Acquired Pharmacia Corporation)

Senior Director, Public Relations & Advocacy Development

• Developed product relations for medical and consumer media as well as patient advocacy activities to launch company’s neuroscience portfolio (Xanax XR, Zoloft).

PHARMACIA CORPORATION, Peapack, New Jersey ∙ February 1999 – April 2003

Senior Director, Public Relations & Advocacy Development

• Served as part of merger transition team.
• Orchestrated turnaround of product public relations and advocacy development function in EMEA/Canada, contributing to company’s number one position in Europe.
• Supported President of Europe with internal and external communications.
• For third year in a row, Pharmacia ranked as number one throughout EMEA/Canada in positive product publicity among business, consumer and medical media. Created and fielded media audit in seven countries with seven products, designed to benchmark product coverage, resulting in highest number of positive product articles.
• Upgraded communications talent by recruiting communications professionals.
• Strategized and counseled communications professionals on development of product plans

as well as handled significant product issues surrounding the COX-2 inhibitors.

• Planned pan-European product press briefings, arranged European journalists’ visits to Headquarters with senior scientific executives, held backgrounder sessions for media on key products, i.e., arthritis, glaucoma, overactive bladder, infectious diseases, growth hormone.
• Conducted media training sessions for regional management and 26 general managers and developed Q/A document on key company issues.
• Supervised global business in General Therapeutics area. Developed and implemented global product public relations, patient advocacy development outreach and media relations for 10 products, which included overactive bladder, migraine, diabetes, anxiety, depression, sleeping aids, cardiovasculars, arthritis/pain.

 

MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT, Montclair, New Jersey ∙ 1998 – 1999 – four-month period

• Served as management consultant in product and international public relations.

 

BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB COMPANY, Princeton, New Jersey ∙ 1978 – 1998

Director, Public Affairs (Worldwide Product, International Image)

• Managed worldwide product publicity for cardiovascular, central nervous system and anti-infectives by spearheaded activities in more than 35 markets.
• Developed public affairs plans with targeted media outreach on product approvals/new indications, scientific studies, direct-to-consumer campaigns, and patient advocacy organizations. Coordinated creation and delivery of media briefings, media materials, and satellite media tours. Generated local, national and international media coverage.
• Provided international markets with tools to support product launch communications, maximized coverage of company research publications and presentations at medical meetings and built relations with patient organizations, locally and worldwide. Launched and promoted a global mental illness network and patient survey.
• Created international campaign to elevate company image and reputation among its four core businesses with worldwide business, scientific, consumer and trade media and stakeholders.
• Established cross-divisional public affairs campaign in six overseas markets.
• Created regional publications in English, Spanish and Portuguese for Latin America and in English/Mandarin for China.
• Created media day for 23 foreign journalists from 10 countries to provide update on drug discovery, clinical pipeline, biotechnology initiatives and outcomes research.
• Designed and implemented employee communications plan for merged companies (Bristol-Myers and Squibb employees). Developed core messages and themes, designed image enhancement program, created communications vehicles, including print publications, electronic communications, senior management memos, town hall meetings, and video/slide information kits during Squibb days, the company’s merger in 1989/90 and other significant management changes.
• Reorganized and directed four creative services groups of 30 staff professionals with a budget up to $7 million. Increased overall group’s scope of service and efficiency, resulting in 20% increase in client business.
• Developed employee, management, sales, and specialty publications. Coordinated publication language translations and readership surveys.
• Monitored 70 group/divisional publications to integrate companywide messages. Served on communications committee of PhRMA (Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association) to improve support among employee communicators.
• Recognized among industry peers as having a flagship industry publication [Squibbline corporate magazine] and charting new ground in publication production.

 

Published Articles

• Editor/author of communications textbook published by Palgrave MacMillan, entitled, “Strategic Employee Communication: Building a Culture of Engagement.” (2018).
• Author of book chapter, “Internal Communications Fluorishes at the Grassroots: The Growing Importance of Managers in Employee Engagement,” published in Portuguese reference book, Essays of Employee Communications: New Approaches for New Challenges, September 2015 by InHouse, a Brazilian publisher. Edited versions published in The Huffington Post, March 11, 2015, and in the Thought Leadership Series of the International Public Relations Association, April 2015.
• Contributing writer to The Huffington Post (2015) and Thrive Global (2016-2019).
• “Stakeholder Approach to Meet Significant Unmet Medical Needs of Rare and Orphan Diseases,” June 26, 2014, Global Health Governance online scholarly journal.
• Introduction on Role of Emerging Markets, Fall 2011, Journal of International Relations and Diplomacy.
• “Effective Global Public Relations: Gearing Up For Change,” Fall 2010, PR Strategist [quoted].
• “Relationship-Building for Global Stakeholder Engagement,” February 2010, Frontline Magazine of the International Public Relations Association (IPRA).
• “PR Can Be An Agent of Change,” October 2008, Bulldog Reporter.
• “Getting the Right Overseas PR Partner,” March 2004, Frontline Magazine of IPRA.
• “Pharmacia Takes It Global,” April 2003 Supplement to Pharmaceutical Executive Magazine, pp. 6-9.

Publications with Leaders in Pharmaceutical Business Intelligence (LPBI) Group

• Contributing Editor, Medical Writer and Author, Leaders in Pharmaceutical Business Intelligence (LPBI) Group (2015 – Present).
• Editor/author of medical textbook, The Voices of Patients, Hospital CEOs, Health Care Providers, Caregivers and Families: Personal Experience with Critical Care and Invasive Medical Procedures, eds. Aviva Lev-Ari, Ph.D., R.N., and Gail S. Thornton, M.A., including 12 compelling patient stories related to invasive medical procedures as well as CEO and scientific leader interviews within hospitals, academic institutions and pharma/biotech companies. (Offered on Amazon and Kindle in October 2017 – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076HGB6MZ).
• Author of four articles in medical textbook, Latest in Genomics Methodologies for Therapeutics: Gene Editing, NGS & BioInformatics, Simulations and the Genome Ontology, eds. Aviva Lev-Ari, Ph.D., R.N., Marcus Feldman, Ph.D. and Stephen Williams, Ph.D. (Offered on Amazon and Kindle in January 2020 – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08385KF87).
• Author of book chapter on patient story related to cardiovascular disease published in Interventional Cardiology for Disease Diagnosis and Cardiac Surgery for Condition Treatment, eds. Justin D. Pearlman, M.D., Larry H. Bernstein, M.D., Aviva Lev-Ari, Ph.D., R.N. (Offered on Amazon and Kindle in December 2018 – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MKHDBHF).

Professional Associations

• Member of the Board of Overseers, Seton Hall University School of Diplomacy and International Relations (2007 to present).
• Appointed to Seton Hall University President’s Advisory Council (2016 to present).
• Served three-year term on Seton Hall Alumni Board of Directors (2007-2010).
• Created media panel and drove attendance at ExL Pharma Communications Conference (July 2012) in New Jersey and co-chaired conference (April 2009) in Berlin.
• Served 11 years on Public Relations Society of America/International Section: co-chair of Section in 1999, executive committee responsible for planning teleseminars, sponsorships and fundraising, including an international public policy symposium (2003) at the United Nations.
• Member of Foreign Press Association.
• Member of International Association of Business Communicators; Women in Communications.

 

Professional Recognition

• Awarded Atlas Award for Lifetime Achievement in Public Relations by the Public Relations Society of America’s International Section (2018).
• Awarded Distinguished Alumna Service Award for Leadership from The John C. Whitehead School of Diplomacy and International Relations at Seton Hall University (2007).
• Awarded Tribute to Women in Industry (TWIN) Achievement Award (1980s).
• Serve on the Seton Hall University President’s Advisory Counsel.
• Nominated for Best Team Performance in the 4^th Annual WEGO Health Activist Awards for series on patient stories about chronic care and invasive medical procedures (2016).
• Nominated by Seton Hall University Dean of School of Health Sciences for Executive Women of NJ Scholarship (2016).
• Awarded Schering-Plough Asia-Pacific Leadership Award for contribution to the region (2006).
• Awarded six Schering-Plough internal recognition awards (2004-2007).
• Awarded five Pharmacia internal recognition awards (1999-2003).
• Lecturer on corporate communications at Rider University (1980s).
• Awarded series of editorial, graphic design, printing awards from 1984–1992.
• Yellow Belt Merck Sigma training (2010); Green Belt Merck Sigma training (2011).

 

Education

Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey

Enrolled in Ph.D. program (Health Sciences),

Anticipated completion in 2022

Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey

M.A. in Diplomacy and International Relations from School of Diplomacy and International Relations, 2003

Rider University, Lawrenceville, New Jersey

Bachelor of Arts, Journalism, 1978

Dartmouth University, Hanover, New Hampshire

Executive education in business ethics and leadership, 08-2020

BIO – August 2020

Gail S. Thornton, M.A. is founder of Worldview Communications, a global communications consultancy which partners with clients in pharmaceuticals, health care and biotechnology, such as Merck Animal Health and IM HealthScience, among others.

Previously, she was vice president/head of communications for the Emerging Markets Region for Merck, where she built and led a team of regional and country communicators, developed internal and external communications and provided strategic counsel and support to senior executives. Previously, at Schering-Plough, she was vice president, International Communications, responsible for building a team of communicators in all international markets, and handling internal and external communications, product communications and advocacy development, and company image and reputation. Ms. Thornton was senior director, public relations and advocacy development, at Pfizer, Inc., senior director, public relations and advocacy development at Pharmacia Corporation and spent 20 years Bristol-Myers Squibb in positions including international product relations, brand image and reputation management and global employee communications.

Ms. Thornton holds a B.A. in Journalism from Rider University, an M.A. from the Whitehead School, and is completing a Ph.D. in Health Sciences at Seton Hall. She is a member of the Foreign Press Association and the International Public Relations Association.

She was awarded the 2007 Distinguished Alumna Service Award for Leadership from the Whitehead School and was awarded the 2018 Atlas Award for Lifetime Achievement in Public Relations by the Public Relations Society of America. She is the past recipient of the Tribute to Women in Industry Achievement Award.

She is a published author on topics relating to health and wellness, international communications, and emerging markets in the Journal of International Relations and Diplomacy, Global Health Governance online journal, PR Strategist, Frontline magazine of the International Public Relations Association and Pharmaceutical Executive magazine, as well as The Huffington Post and Thrive Global.

She authored a book chapter on the value of employee engagement in a Portuguese communications textbook, Ensaios Comunicaҫão com Empregados (2014). She co-edited and authored The Voices of Patients, Hospital CEOs, Health Care Providers, Caregivers and Families: Personal Experience with Critical Care and Invasive Medical Procedures, an e-book on patient-centered medicine (2017) offered on Amazon/KindleDirect through Leaders in Pharmaceutical Business Intelligence, an online scientific journal. She co-edited and authored a communications textbook, Strategic Employee Communication: Building a Culture of Engagement by Palgrave Macmillan (2018).

Roles @ Leaders in Pharmaceutical Business Intelligence (LPBI) Group

1.     Contributing Editor & Author

Series E: Patient-Centered Medicine

Series Content Consultant: Larry H Bernstein, MD, FCAP

2.     Author, Curator and Reporter

• Big data
• Conference coverage with social media
• Digital health care – biotech and internet joint ventures
• Global partnering and biotech investment
• Interviews with scientific leaders
• International global work in pharmaceuticals
• Leadership, power, social interlocking connections
• Patient experience
• Patient’s voice
• Personalized and precision medicine & genomic research
• Scientific and biotech conferences: press coverage
• Stem cells for regenerative medicine

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