Jack O'Brien
imjackobrien.bsky.social
Jack O'Brien
@imjackobrien.bsky.social
Managing Editor at MM+M, a Haymarket Media publication that produces timely, balanced, original editorial content for an executive audience of leaders and thinkers in pharmaceutical and healthcare marketing.

https://www.mmm-online.com/author/jack-obrien/
As Bluesky continues to grow, opportunities abound for pharma brands

When it comes to Big Pharma, the likes of Novartis, Bristol Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca have Bluesky accounts — though none are posting.
As Bluesky continues to grow, opportunities abound for pharma brands
When it comes to Big Pharma, the likes of Novartis, Bristol Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca have Bluesky accounts — though none are posting.
www.mmm-online.com
April 16, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Days ago, most of the OPDP staff and leadership were among the thousands of workers laid off by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

The decision to axe the office has left many industry leaders perplexed, especially as Kennedy seeks to ban pharma advertising.

www.mmm-online.com/news/rfk-jr-...
RFK Jr.’s HHS gutted OPDP. How will it impact pharma advertising?
Days ago, most of the OPDP staff and leadership were among the thousands of workers laid off by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
www.mmm-online.com
April 9, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Prepared, not panicked: Leaders await RFK Jr.’s potential TV pharma ad ban

Over a month into Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s tenure as HHS Secretary, leaders in pharma, medical marketing and media circles are preparing for a potential TV pharma ad ban.

www.mmm-online.com/news/prepare...
Prepared, not panicked: Leaders await RFK Jr.’s potential TV pharma ad ban
Over a month into Robert F. Kennedy’s tenure as HHS Secretary, leaders in pharma, medical marketing and media circles are preparing for a potential TV pharma ad ban.
www.mmm-online.com
March 27, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Reposted by Jack O'Brien
Read for yourself: Here are the attack plans that Trump advisers shared on Signal. www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
Here Are the Attack Plans That Trump’s Advisers Shared on Signal
The administration has downplayed the importance of the text messages inadvertently sent to The Atlantic’s editor in chief.
www.theatlantic.com
March 26, 2025 at 12:23 PM
MM+M is once again nominated for a pair of honors at the upcoming Neal Awards, also known as the ‘Pulitzers of B2B journalism.’

The 2024 MM+M Agency 100 issue is nominated for Best Single Issue of a Tabloid/Newspaper/Magazine and Marc Iskowitz is nominated for Best Range of Work by a Single Author.
MM+M Agency 100 is nominated at Neal Awards, Marc Iskowitz eyes four-peat
The 2024 MM+M Agency 100 issue is nominated for Best Single Issue of a Tabloid/Newspaper/Magazine for a brand with revenue between $3 million and $7 million.
www.mmm-online.com
March 25, 2025 at 3:04 PM
TikTok once again faces a ban, so pharma brands may need to consider taking their marketing efforts to other social media platforms.

With the social media app once again at risk of going dark, there are best practices pharma brands can use on other platforms.

www.mmm-online.com/news/tiktok-...
TikTok lessons pharma brands can bring to Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts
With the popular social media app once again at risk of going dark, there are best practices pharma brands can use on other platforms.
www.mmm-online.com
March 20, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Reposted by Jack O'Brien
In stunning move, White House pulls nomination of Dave Weldon as CDC director hours before hearing

Sources said the administration had concerns about Weldon’s longtime vaccine criticism.

www.statnews.com/2025/03/13/t...
White House pulls nomination of Dave Weldon as CDC director hours before hearing
The White House has pulled the nomination of Dave Weldon as CDC director hours before heh was set to appear for his confirmation hearing.
www.statnews.com
March 13, 2025 at 1:10 PM
And the Oscar goes to…pharma ads.

Yes, Anora took home the most honors at the 97th Academy Awards on Sunday night — including Best Picture — but medical marketing made an impact, too.

www.mmm-online.com/news/pharma-...
Novo, Lilly and Novartis lead pharma’s stellar ad performance at Oscars
While the Super Bowl may not always be the ideal spot for pharma, cultural events like the Oscars can offer a more appropriate opportunity for advertising.
www.mmm-online.com
March 7, 2025 at 2:30 PM
After leaving Entrée Health just over a year ago, Andrew Gottfried has returned to the medical marketing scene with his next act: Nexus Health Group.

Backed by the Lockwood Group, the market access shop is making its public debut this week.

www.mmm-online.com/news/ex-entr...
Ex-Entrée Health CEO Andrew Gottfried launches market access shop Nexus
At launch, Nexus has a team consisting of 30 strategic consultants, clinical and payer strategists, creatives and account managers.
www.mmm-online.com
March 4, 2025 at 2:19 PM
How pharma brands can reach consumers in a fragmented media landscape

The path forward, while uncertain, is navigable through refined data strategies and a better understanding of the target audiences.
How pharma brands can reach consumers in a fragmented media landscape
The path forward, while uncertain, is navigable through refined data strategies and a better understanding of the target audiences.
www.mmm-online.com
February 26, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is confirmed as the next HHS Secretary.
February 13, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Pharma brands are struggling to keep the attention of digitally savvy HCPs

It’s critical to understand what a digitally savvy HCP is in 2025 and what’s impeding pharma's communications with this target audience.

www.mmm-online.com/features/pha...
Pharma brands are struggling to keep the attention of digitally savvy HCPs
It’s critical to understand what a digitally savvy HCP is in 2025 and what’s impeding pharma's communications with this target audience.
www.mmm-online.com
February 13, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Pharma brands are struggling to keep the attention of digitally savvy HCPs

It’s critical to understand what a digitally savvy HCP is in 2025 and what’s impeding pharma's communications with this target audience.

www.mmm-online.com/features/pha...
Pharma brands are struggling to keep the attention of digitally savvy HCPs
It’s critical to understand what a digitally savvy HCP is in 2025 and what’s impeding pharma's communications with this target audience.
www.mmm-online.com
February 11, 2025 at 4:49 PM
How pharma and health ads performed at Super Bowl 59

There were a number of health brands that advertised during the big game, namely Pfizer, Novartis and Hims & Hers.

Most considered Pfizer’s 60-second ad 'Knock Out' to be the winner of the night.

www.mmm-online.com/news/how-pha...
How pharma and health ads performed at Super Bowl 59
Most considered Pfizer’s 60-second ad 'Knock Out' to be the winner of the night.
www.mmm-online.com
February 10, 2025 at 9:23 PM
For the second consecutive year, Pfizer is advertising at the Super Bowl.

The pharma giant announced Friday morning that it is doubling down on its fight against cancer with a 60-second ad set to air during the first quarter of the game.

www.mmm-online.com/news/pfizer-...
Pfizer to air second Super Bowl ad, doubling down on fight against cancer
Pfizer is doubling down on its fight against cancer with a 60-second ad set to air during the first quarter of the game.
www.mmm-online.com
February 7, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Why isn’t the Super Bowl a bigger moment for pharma marketing?

Though the big game has long been hallowed ground for some of the most entertaining and memorable commercials, they often don’t come from pharmaceutical companies.

www.mmm-online.com/news/why-isn...
Why isn't the Super Bowl a bigger moment for pharma marketing?
Though the big game has long been hallowed ground for some of the most entertaining and memorable commercials, they often don’t come from pharmaceutical companies.
www.mmm-online.com
February 4, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Reposted by Jack O'Brien
RFK Jr. says he will instruct the NIH and FDA to review the safety of the abortion drug mifepristone.
January 29, 2025 at 4:17 PM
A challenge facing Dem senators who may consider voting for RFK Jr. -- Bernie, Fetterman, etc. -- is his critical stance on Big Pharma and Big Food enough to offset his now public pivot to a pro-life stance?

Especially if he would be guiding HHS in a post-Roe world.
January 29, 2025 at 4:14 PM
It looks like Cassidy, a gastroenterologist by training, is trying to throw him a line during this questioning but Kennedy is flailing on the basics.

Appears he came more prepared for fights over vaccine and abortion than the broader, traditional healthcare system.
Kennedy seems unfamiliar with numerous details about how Medicaid works--getting his description of the program's financing and benefit structure wrong.
January 29, 2025 at 4:01 PM
How did I get here? Edelman’s Brian Wood

Wood worked at several agencies before landing at Edelman, where he now mentors young talent.

www.mmm-online.com/features/how...
How did I get here? Edelman's Brian Wood
Wood worked at several agencies before landing at Edelman, where he now mentors young talent.
www.mmm-online.com
January 28, 2025 at 5:10 PM
After a turbulent weekend, TikTok is back – for the time being.

Now the clock is ticking – not only for TikTok but also for its sizable user base and medical marketers seeking to position their health clients in front of them.

www.mmm-online.com/news/tiktok-...
TikTok is back — for now. What does it mean for medical marketing?
Medical marketing leaders weigh in on the temporary respite for TikTok and what it means for pharma clients.
www.mmm-online.com
January 24, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Reposted by Jack O'Brien
WASHINGTON (AP) — Supreme Court upholds the law banning TikTok beginning Sunday if it’s not sold by its Chinese parent company.
January 17, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Breaking: Matt McNally returns to Publicis as global CEO of Publicis Health

Days after departing from Omnicom Health Group, McNally has returned to Publicis Groupe.

McNally spent more than 14 years of his career at Publicis.

www.mmm-online.com/news/matt-mc...
Matt McNally returns to Publicis as global CEO of Publicis Health
McNally will be based in New York and report to Publicis Groupe CEO Arthur Sadoun.
www.mmm-online.com
January 9, 2025 at 1:03 PM
As the dust settles on Omnicom’s proposed takeover of IPG to create the largest ad agency by revenue, medical marketing leaders are opining on what that could mean going forward.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the resounding sentiment across the industry is a profound sense of anxiety & uncertainty.
How the Omnicom-IPG merger could reshape pharma marketing
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the resounding sentiment across the industry is a profound sense of anxiety and uncertainty.
www.mmm-online.com
December 11, 2024 at 2:58 PM
Pfizer’s Nurtec and AstraZeneca’s Breztri topped an analysis of the digital and omnichannel marketing strategies of the top pharma brands released this week.

Both drug brands were noted for their exceptional performance in digital marketing and patient engagement

www.mmm-online.com/news/pfizers...
Pfizer’s Nurtec, AstraZeneca’s Breztri top pharma brand report
The Pfizer migraine medication received top honors in 2022 and 2023 but was joined this year by the AstraZeneca treatment for COPD.
www.mmm-online.com
December 6, 2024 at 4:26 PM