WeissComm Group Senior Staff Address Social Media Technology and Clinical Trial Communications...

WeissComm Group Senior Staff Address Social Media Technology and Clinical
Trial Communications at BIO International Convention

NEW YORK and SAN FRANCISCO, May 19 /PRNewswire/ -- WeissComm Group, the parent
company of WeissComm Partners, Invigorate Communications, and ODA, announced
today that Brian Reid, Media Director, and Sue Hager, Director of Corporate
Communications & Investor Relations at WeissComm Partners, are participating
in panel discussions at the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)
International Convention.

Details on the panel discussions:
-- Brian Reid, Media Director:
-- Title: Spreading the Word: New Technologies Mean Everyone Is a
Journalist
-- Day and time: Tuesday, May 19th at 4:00 p.m. ET
-- Panel members: Brian Reid, Media Director, WeissComm Partners;
Shwen
Gwee, Lead Business Analyst, Health Informatics and New Media,
Vertex Pharmaceuticals; Ed Silverman, Bureau Chief, Elsevier;
Jerry
Johnson, EVP, Brodeur Partners; Jennifer McCabe Gorman, Chief
Patient Advocate, OrganizedWisdom
-- Abstract: 2008 was a landmark year in health-related
communications,
but not in the typical ways. High-profile science reporters at
publications from USA Today to the Washington Post accepted
buyouts
and exited traditional media, as new and varied voices emerged in
all areas related to biotechnology. New technologies, such as the
micro-blogging site Twitter, have emerged and "old"
technology, like blogging, has matured, allowing an unprecedented
level of communication among scientists, the media and the public.
-- Sue Hager, Director, Corporate Communications & Investor Relations:
-- Title: What to Say, When and How: Navigating the minefield when
communicating clinical trial results, FDA actions and interactions
with regulatory agencies
-- Day and time: Tuesday, May 19th at 10:00 a.m. ET
-- Panel members: Megan Gates, Partner, Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris,
Glovsky & Popeo, PC.; Donna LaVoie, President & CEO, LaVoie
Group; Annette Grimaldi, Managing Director, Head of Life Sciences
Group, Jefferies & Company, Inc.; and Susan Hager, Director,
Corporate Communications & Investor Relations, Weisscomm
Partners

-- Abstract: Failure to efficiently, timely and effectively
communicate
clinical trial results and FDA actions can result in massive stock
price declines, angry stockholders and employees, EMEA, FDA and
SEC
investigations, painful delays in future trials, and even
compromised patient safety. Extreme care must be taken at each
stage of your drug discovery process to manage your disclosures
appropriately, keeping in mind legal, regulatory, market and
public
affairs concerns. Particular concern arises when shareholders
expect details on FDA actions and a company is unable to give out
any information without jeopardizing its relationship. Further,
there is always the risk of needing to recant. And how best can
you
leverage the disclosure of good news? Come listen to a panel of
experts discuss their experiences, and share suggestions for best
practices, navigating the minefield of disclosure in the life
sciences world.

"WeissComm was founded on the communications needs of the biotechnology
industry," said Diane Weiser, president and COO. "As the industry and related
communication requirements and channels evolve, it's important that we share
our expertise and help our clients navigate the new terrain, particularly with
regard to engaging in social media."

About WeissComm Group
Led by Chairman and CEO Jim Weiss, WeissComm Group is a diversified media
services company meeting the diverse corporate and product marketing
communications needs of leading healthcare companies comprising WeissComm
Partners, the largest independent communications agency focused exclusively on
the healthcare industry; Invigorate Communications, an agency focused on
helping companies build health-based brands; and ODA, an innovative creative
services agency that works with healthcare companies to cultivate valuable
brands across a variety of marketing channels.

Serving clients globally with offices in San Francisco, New York, Chicago,
Washington, D.C. and London, WeissComm Group's seasoned professionals
specialize in branding, design, digital and traditional marketing, corporate
and product PR, media, investor and advocacy relations, clinical trial
recruitment and grassroots direct-to-patient communications programs and
awareness campaigns. For more information, please visit www.wcgglobal.com.

SOURCE WeissComm Group

Mariesa Kemble of WeissComm Group, +1-608-850-4745, mkemble@wcpglobal.com