An expert in public relations, marketing and healthcare communications, Michael Durand has worked as outside counsel for both large and small biopharmaceutical companies and medical organizations and has advised clients around the world on advocacy, brand strategies and enlisting public support for health issues.

Michael was the founding director of Porter Novelli’s Global Health Care Practice and was also managing director of health care strategy and planning for Ogilvy Worldwide.

He holds a Masters in Health Communications from Boston University as well as a graduate diploma from UCLA in public relations and a BA in Political Science (with honors) from Long Beach State University. He is the recipient of the Frank J. Weaver Lifetime Achievement Award from the Public Relations Society of America, several Silver Anvil and Big Apple awards from PRSA and the Excellence in Graduate Study award from Boston University. He is also the recipient of a PRSA public service award for organizing a dialogue between the FDA and the public relations industry on direct-to-consumer promotion.

In a career that has spanned three decades he has directed communications and corporate positioning assignments for Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Novartis, Pfizer and other healthcare companies; and has advised organizations including the American Medical Association and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on health education programs and messaging. His current professional interests include communicating about the value of medical innovation, medical ethics, and special situations related to the nexus of public affairs and medical marketing. Articles by Michael have appeared in The Strategist, Pharmaceutical Executive, Medical Marketing and Media, Communiqué and other publications.

He currently is an adjunct assistant professor at New York University, teaching in its graduate program in integrated marketing and communications. He has been a teaching facilitator at Harvard University’s division of continuing education and Boston University, teaching courses in integrated marketing communications and public relations. He maintains a consulting business focusing on message design and message strategy for medical organizations and pharmaceutical companies.

In his spare time, Michael and his wife are competitive rowers and oenophiles. He enjoys reading books on history and foreign intrigue.

Publications

• Selling the Affordable Care Act: How the Obama Administration Forgot PR Basics By The Strategist (Apr 22 2015)
• Tweet Medicine: Clarifying How Communicators Can Use Social Media By The Strategist (Nov 20 2014)
• Why Health Care Companies are Turning to Real World Evidence By The Strategist (Oct 01 2013)
• Checklist for Online Graduate Learning By Public Relations Tactics (Jun 01 2013)
• Thinking Small By Communique (Jul 31 2010)
• The Tower of Babel By Pharmaceutical Executive (Jun 01 2009)
• Seeing Around Corners By Communique (Jun 01 2007)
• The Rise of China By Pharmaceutical Executive (Jun 01 2002)