Sudler & Hennessey, one of the leading global healthcare communications firm, part of the WPP group, has launched its operations in India through a 50: 50 joint venture with Rediffusion-DY&R.

The joint venture firm would offer the entire gamut of communications services for the healthcare segment which would include brand positioning, medical education and communication, professional marketing and promotion, consultative assessment, consumer marketing and promotion, corporate brand identity and package design and market research.

The Indian operations would be headed by Asha Kapoor who as been appointed as executive director. The firm has already bagged its first two accounts with Roche and Dr Reddy's Labs.

Sudler & Hennessey has presence in 17 countries with an annual billing of over $900 million. The group boasts of several high profile clients such as Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Astra Zeneca, GlaxoSmithkline, Novartis, and Unilever among others.

The company would have two divisions as part of their Indian operations, Sudler & Hennessey Communications and Intramed.

The former would be engaged in the development of promotional strategies for prescription and over the counter brands while Intramed will focus on developing educational programmes to support brand objectives through third party support.

David McLean, chairman, Asia-Pacific & Africa, Sudler & Hennessey, said, "Though we have clients who have an international presence which could give the Indian operations a significant edge, we would also look to work with domestic pharmaceutical companies which comprise a significant portion of the Indian market."

"With World Trade Organisation norms coming in force, pharma companies will require a comprehensive and integrated communications programme which Sudler & Hennessey is capable of providing. We would like to change the way pharmaceutical companies mange their communications," added Diwan Arun Nanda, chairman, Rediffusion DY&R brand communications.