News
← Back to IdeasMario Muredda Named Global CEO of Ogilvy Health
NEW YORK — OCTOBER 22, 2024 — Ogilvy today announced that health industry leader Mario Muredda has been named Global CEO of Ogilvy Health. Mario will oversee all aspects of Ogilvy’s Health business which spans Brand Strategy, Advertising, Public Relations and Influence, Experience and Innovation, Medical Education, and Market Access and be responsible for further accelerating Ogilvy Health’s growth. This transition follows Kim Johnson's decision to pursue new opportunities after three successful years as Global CEO of Ogilvy Health. During her tenure, Johnson spearheaded significant advancements for Ogilvy Health, modernizing agency capabilities, diversifying the client portfolio, and elevating the agency's reputation. Muredda will report to Devika Bulchandani, Global CEO of Ogilvy.
Muredda brings over two decades of experience in healthcare marketing to Ogilvy Health. His proven track record spans professional and consumer advertising, medical education, regulatory communications, and digital platforms. With experience across Consumer, HCP, Patient, and Payer audiences, he has supported some of the industry's biggest brands and led multidisciplinary teams in over 30 major product launches. He joins Ogilvy from Avalere Health, where he served as President of Marketing, and previously spent over a decade at Omnicom Health Group’s Harrison & Star, culminating in five years as CEO. This marks a return to WPP for Muredda, who began his career as a medical writer at Precept.
Muredda’s passion for healthcare stems in part from his early research in oncology. During his graduate studies at Queen's University in Kingston, Canada, Muredda focused on the molecular mechanisms of drug resistance in non-small cell lung cancer at the University’s Division of Cancer Biology and Genetics and the Queen's Cancer Research Institute, leading to his publication on drug resistance and gene expression in cancer. He is also deeply committed to giving back to the community and chairs the board of the Dream Foundation, the only national dream-granting organization for terminally ill adults.
Devika Bulchandani, Global CEO of Ogilvy, said: “Mario's deep understanding of healthcare is fueled by a passion that began during his education. That passion, coupled with his drive for innovation, makes him the ideal leader to guide Ogilvy Health towards a future where the power of creativity is harnessed to improve lives. I'm excited to see what he achieves with the exceptional talent we have at Ogilvy around the world, building on the strong foundation Kim established during her tenure. We are extremely grateful for her leadership and wish her the very best."
Mario Muredda said: “I’m incredibly excited to join Ogilvy Health at this pivotal moment where technology and healthcare are converging like never before. Throughout my career, I’ve been driven by the power of collaboration—bringing together diverse minds to tackle complex challenges and deliver creative solutions, while moving people and inspiring action. My goal is to foster an environment where breakthroughs are not just possible, but plentiful, ensuring Ogilvy Health continues to lead with the innovation and pride synonymous with the Ogilvy name.”
Kim Johnson added: “It has been an absolute privilege to lead Ogilvy Health over the past three years. We’ve made incredible strides globally and our momentum is a testament to our talented team and strong client partnerships. Now is the right time for me to embark on the next chapter of my career, and I am confident that Ogilvy Health is well-positioned for continued success under Mario’s leadership.”
Wendy Lund, Chief Client Officer, Health@WPP added: "We are thrilled to welcome Mario back to the WPP network. His vision and leadership will be instrumental in further strengthening our collaborative approach and driving transformative solutions in partnership with our health clients. We also extend our sincere gratitude to Kim for her invaluable contributions and wish her all the best in her future endeavors."
Ogilvy’s Health’s impact on health and wellness communications is underscored by its recent award-winning work at Cannes Lions, Clio Health, The Mannys, and the PR Week Healthcare Awards.
About Ogilvy
Ogilvy has been creating impact for brands through iconic, culture-changing, value-driving ideas since the company was founded by David Ogilvy 75 years ago. It builds on that rich legacy through Borderless Creativity – innovating at the intersections of its advertising, public relations, relationship design, consulting, and health capabilities with experts collaborating seamlessly across more than 120 offices spanning 90 countries. Ogilvy currently ranks as the #1 global agency network for creative excellence and effectiveness by WARC, signifying its ability to deliver creative solutions that drive unreasonable impact for clients and communities. Ogilvy is a WPP company (NYSE: WPP). For more information, visit Ogilvy.com, and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook.
Media Contacts: Tara Mullins / tara.mullins@ogilvy.com
# # #