Washington D.C., January 15, 2008 – Burson-Marsteller, a leading global public relations and communications consultancy, today announced Chris Foster has been appointed U.S. Chair of the firm's Healthcare Practice. With more than 15 years of public relations and pharmaceutical marketing experience, Foster has pioneered some of the healthcare industry’s most successful campaigns. As U.S. Chair, he will play a significant role in defining new opportunities and growing the market for the Practice. Based in Washington D.C., Foster will report to Patrick Ford, Burson's U.S. President & CEO.
"Chris brings tremendous experience and strong leadership skills to this new position," said Ford. "His impeccable credentials in pharmaceutical marketing and health policy will be essential to building our Healthcare Practice in new directions and providing even greater service to our existing clients."
Foster, who had been leading the practice on an interim basis since November 2007, brings a far-ranging breadth of experience to his new role, combining broad knowledge of managed care, healthcare provider groups, alliance development, and social marketing. He has worked with a variety of pharmaceutical and corporate clients, including Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Novartis, Amgen, and Premier.
A native of Mt. Vernon, New York, Foster earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy from the University of Virginia, and a master's degree in applied behavior counseling from Johns Hopkins University.
Foster currently serves on the Board of Directors for the American Heart Association (Greater Washington Region) and the School of Continuing and Professional Studies at the University of Virginia. Foster has been a guest lecturer at Columbia University (School of Continuing Studies) and Western Kentucky University.
In addition, Foster is an active member of the University of Virginia Alumni Association, John’s Hopkins University Alumni Association and the Potomac Coalition. He has also served on the Board of Directors for the Lupus Foundation of Greater Washington and as a member of the National Association of Health Service Executives (NAHSE).
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About Burson-Marsteller
Burson-Marsteller (www.burson-marsteller.com), established in 1953, is a leading global public relations and public affairs firm. It provides clients with strategic thinking and program execution across a full range of public relations, public affairs, advertising, and web-related services. The firm’s seamless worldwide network consists of 57 wholly-owned offices and 46 affiliate offices, together operating in 59 countries across six continents. Burson-Marsteller is a part of Young & Rubicam Brands, a subsidiary of WPP (NASDQ: WPPGY), one of the world’s leading communications services networks.