Omnicom Group, Havas and Grey Global Group have all reorganised or launched health divisions in the past 12 months, with the area remaining one of the few sectors tipped for large growth.
WPP has just strengthened its healthcare business with the addition of Cordiant's Healthworld.
Publicis said the reorganisation, which will see two brands operating globally and three brands for the US, was sparked by the acquisition of Bcom3 in 2002.
The global group will consist of Saatchi & Saatchi Healthcare and Medicus Group, and in North America, there will be the Klemtner Group, Medicus Group and Nelson Communications. Each of these agencies will continue to operate separately. Publicis Healthcare Group will be overseen by Roger Haupt, president and chief operating officer of Publicis Groupe.
With healthcare marketing and advertising being forced to conform to strict regulations in most of the significant markets, the sector is very specialised.
"We believe there are tremendous opportunities for Publicis Groupe in healthcare communications and education around the world. As a result, we are applying very substantial expertise and resources to grow these operations," Haupt said.
Havas shifted its healthcare operations into one brand, Euro RSCG Life, in February; while Omnicom Group has launched two healthcare networks under the BBDO and TBWA\WorldHealth brands.
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