WE Communications promotes CEO Gemma Hudson
CEO of WE Communications, Gemma Hudson, has is stepping up to become executive vice president of health innovation and growth at the agency, tasked with accelerating growth opportunities in the sector and affirming the agency’s health business proposition in Australia and Asia Pacific.
Dan Woods has been appointed managing director to fill Hudson’s role as the agency’s lead in Australia, after joining the agency in early 2020 on an interim basis.
WE Communications’ Gemma Hudson
Hudson has been with WE Communications for eight years, spending the last two as CEO. She has extensive experience in the health and medical sphere, establishing Haystac’s national health care communications offering prior to joining We Communications. Hudson has worked in prescription and consumer health, medical technology and not-for-profit organisations.
“Gemma is an exceptional global health leader and has been instrumental in developing the
agency’s health practice in Australia and leading international, cross-market client relationships
within the agency’s network,” said Rebecca Wilson, We’s executive vice president of Singapore & Australia.
“Her wealth of sector knowledge and client leadership experience makes her the ideal leader to propel our health team’s growth and development in Australia, and regionally.”
In her new role Hudson will be reporting into Wilson and work in partnership with the agency’s Australian director of health, Emma David, and Woods.
Hudson said: “The ongoing global health crisis has spotlighted the important role health plays not only in the lives of individuals, but the impact it can have on businesses and countries.
“While COVID-19 has dominated the conversation over the past year, health concerns, including chronic diseases, health literacy, patient engagement and access to treatment, remain critical areas that still need to be prioritised. I look forward to working with our clients and teams on these challenges today, and in the future.”
Dan Woods has been hired as the lead of WE Communications Australia
WE Communication’s health practice counts for over a third of its business, working with brands in consumer health, pharmaceuticals, biotech, digital health and medical devices. The practice’s capabilities include creative, strategy, digital, social and corporate communications.
Prior to joining WE Communications, Woods was executive general manager for brand and business development for Bolton Clarke, overseeing the delivery of the unified brand for the aged care and health services provider following the merger of RSL Care and RDNS.
Wilson said: “Dan has been a stabilising force in a difficult year. His leadership through the recent environmental, health and economic crises has brought us resiliency and created a strong foundation for a positive year ahead.”
