Digital Pharma - October 2007

[JohnMack]

Digital Pharma
October 22 - 24, 2007 * Princeton, NJ
For more information or to register, please visit the conference website.

Dear Colleague, We have never been so excited about a conference in all the years that we have been working in this industry. It seems that we are catching the wave just as it is cresting, and we look forward to riding it with all of you. Make no mistake-the internet is nothing new, but the industry needs to explore more fully the phenomenon known as Web 2.0, and all its implications for communicating with patients and physicians. Pharma Marketers do not need yet another “eConference” that raises the same old points and takes the same approach year after year. Digital Pharma is a second generation conference for a new era of the most powerful communications tool ever created. This event will help breath life into a topic that is now so firmly entrenched in Pharma that the terms “eMarketing” and “Internet” are rapidly disappearing from job titles. We can no longer differentiate the “e” from traditional marketing. They are one and the same. The silos have been broken. Pharma has been slow to adapt to new trends and technologies, and rightfully so, as it needs to be cautious. However, things are now moving fast and marketers are ready for a conference that embraces the most cutting edge developments and puts them in the spotlight.

Welcome to Digital Pharma!

Best,

Jason Youner
Conference Director
ExL Pharma
jyouner@exlpharma.com

[JohnMack]

I will debating Marc Monseau, Director of Media Relations at J&J, in an engaging interactive point-counter point on Wednesday, October 24, 2007 at 2:15 PM.

Don't miss it!

Here are the particulars:

Why Pharma Should Embrace Web 2.0 vs. Why The
Industry Should Play it Safe and Hold Off for Now

Join a pharmaceutical industry corporate communications manager and an industry blogger in a debate of the issues surrounding the use of Web 2.0 technology – blogs, social networks, other user-generated content sites – by the pharmaceutical industry for marketing, corporate communications, and public relations purposes.

• Taking the Point is John Mack, a well-known publisher and blogger in the Pharma Blogosphere™, who argues that it is time for pharmaceutical companies to use the new Web 2.0 tools available to improve its marketing and public image.

• The Counter Point position is taken by Marc Monseau, Director of Media Relations at Johnson & Johnson, who will discuss the regulatory, legal and other concerns that require a cautious approach to use of Web 2.0 by Pharma.

Usually, Marc and I are on opposite sides of the issue -- Marc has a blog and I always urge caution. For this debate, we sort of switch sides to better see the world through the other person's glasses!

We'll also be involving the audience in the debate and would love to have your comments, questions, and issues to be debated. Post your comments in reply to this thread!