Stephen Farquhar Appointed Chief Executive Officer of Publicis Health

Publicis Groupe today announced the appointment of Stephen Farquhar as chief executive officer of Publicis Health, effective February 1st, 2024. Stephen previously served as chief marketing officer at Publicis Media, where he led global assignments in a variety of industry verticals, including telecommunications, pharma, and CPG. In his new role, Stephen will be responsible for leading Publicis Health businesses in the US, including oversight of healthcare creative agencies Digitas Health, Heartbeat, Razorfish Health, and Saatchi & Saatchi Wellness, as well as healthcare specialty agencies BBK Worldwide, Insagic, Langland US, and Payer Sciences. 

Stephen began his career in creative and strategy, and subsequently went on to lead agencies in China, the United Kingdom, and the United States. He has led dynamic, multi-faceted global teams for some of the world’s leading marketers and throughout his career has garnered global healthcare marketing and media expertise across 92 markets - spanning global production, data strategy, patient services, and HCP marketing solutions.  

Alexandra von Plato, who has served as CEO of Publicis Health since 2018 and has previously held leadership roles across Publicis Groupe agencies for nearly 30 years, becomes chairman, Publicis Health. In her new role, Alexandra will serve in an advisory capacity to Stephen who will lead day to-day operations of the healthcare network. Both will report to Arthur Sadoun, chairman and CEO of Publicis Groupe. 

“I’m extremely grateful to Alex for her outstanding leadership and ongoing commitment to Publicis, our clients, and our people. I’d like to thank her for everything she has helped us accomplish over the years, and for everything we will continue to achieve together,” said Arthur Sadoun, chairman and CEO of Publicis Groupe. “Stephen’s depth of experience across healthcare and CPG marketing and media mean he is ideally placed to lead our teams in addressing the business needs of healthcare and pharma marketers today, and take Publicis Health to the next level,” Arthur added. 

Publicis Health also announces further appointments for two new executive roles: 

- Eric Muller has been elevated to the new role of chief operating officer for Publicis Health. He will be responsible for standardising best practices across the agencies, identifying and streamlining key processes, and delivering excellence at the speed of engagement. Eric will retain his role as president of Digitas Health, report to Stephen, and be based in  Philadelphia.

- Tracey O’Brien has been appointed to the new role of chief client officer for Publicis Health. Tracey joins Publicis Groupe from her most recent role as global client lead at IPG Health. She previously served in leadership roles at Havas Health, ConcentricLife, Medicus, and Digitas Health. Tracey will be responsible for leading Publicis Health’s client engagement and relationship strategies as well as overseeing the health network’s centralised business development efforts. She will report to Farquhar and be based in New York. 

“I’m thrilled to partner with Stephen as he takes the helm of our world-class leadership team and unmatched agency portfolio. Publicis Health is perfectly poised to accelerate industry-first capabilities necessary to drive breakthrough business and health outcomes through personalised health engagement,” said Alexandra von Plato, chairman, Publicis Health. 

“Publicis Health has long been a global leader in healthcare communications, and I am grateful for the opportunity to join the organisation during this exciting, transformative time in healthcare. I look forward to collaborating with Alex and the entire Publicis Health team,” said Stephen Farquhar, CEO, Publicis Health.