Hill & Knowlton Canada Bulks Up Practice Areas With Three National Senior Experts

May 4, 2010


Hill & Knowlton Canada has adding to three of the national public relation firm’s practices areas as Francine Beck, Gina DeBenedetti and Jason Grier join the company.

Francine Beck has been named Vice-President and National Director, Consumer Health and Pharmaceutical Marketing, working with H&K’s consumer marketing, health and medical communications teams to offer a unique, integrated approach to healthcare communications. Francine is actually trained as a kinesiologist and journalist, she began her career more than 18 years ago and has a proven track record in a range of health subsectors, including life sciences (pharmaceutical), over-the-counter products, food and beverage, nutrition, consumer packaged goods and not-for-profit. Francine has led multi-stakeholder assignments for leading clients such as Unilever (Becel), Allergan (Botox), AstraZeneca, Nestle, Dietitians of Canada, Eli Lilly Roche, GSK consumer health, Effem Foods, Molson Breweries, and Toronto 2008, among others. Francine has also worked with a number of companies active in cancer care and has a special interest in the areas of obesity management, heart health and active living.

Gina DeBenedetti joins Hill & Knowlton as Vice President and National Director, Medical Communications. She has successfully run global mandates in various areas of medical communications and health promotion, including clinical trial consulting, marketing, and sales communications within the pharmaceutical industry. Gina has extensive experience in the following therapeutic areas: cardiovascular, diabetes, obesity, CNS (pain), HIV, growth hormone, nutrition, respiratory, women’s health, and oncology. With 14 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries, Gina is certified as a public health inspector (Canada) and has worked in both the health industry and in agencies.

After four successful years with the Toronto public affairs team Jason Grier has now moved Vice President and National Director, Health Policy. In this role, Jason will work with the national public affairs team, as well as the health communications team, to provide insight into the ever-changing world of health policy, advising clients and informing programs from coast to coast. In his time with Hill & Knowlton, he has worked extensively with health sector clients including pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, regulatory colleges, patient groups and professional associations. Jason came to Hill & Knowlton with a wide range of health experience, including roles as chief of staff and policy director to the Minister of Health and Long Term Care in Ontario, special advisor to the federal Minister of Health, and Director of Public Affairs and Community Relations for the Wellesley Central Hospital.
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Dave Forde


Dave “The Connector” Forde has been involved in the marketing, public relations and technology industry across Canada for over 15 years in various sales and marketing roles, he launched The Connected One network of business sites which connects buyers to the right sellers. Profectio and PR In Canada covers news about the marketing and public relations industry each day helping professionals advance their career and businesses.
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