3 of our clients receive “Brand Leadership” awards from World Brand Congress

The World Brand Congress has bestowed its “Brand Leadership Award” to three of our health science and technology clients.  It is described as the most prestigious award an individual can receive at the World Brand Congress. 

The three award winners from our industry sector are:

• John C. O’Rourke of DuPont
• Hans J. Ahl of EMD Millipore
• Richard Yao of Merck Chemicals (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.

Mr. O’Rourke has been a guiding force in maximizing brand value for global blockbuster blood pressure drugs Cozaar (losartan potassium) and Hyzaar (losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide). Cozaar and Hyzaar were developed by DuPont scientists as the first drugs of their class, and launched in 1994 through a joint venture between DuPont and Merck & Co. At their 2009 peak, they were Merck's second highest revenue generators with worldwide sales of totaling $3.6 billion.  From his DuPont management positions in pharmaceuticals marketing, business development, and joint venture liaison, Mr. O’Rourke has led with both his expert knowledge and marketing passion to maintain the industry-recognized brand valuation of Cozaar/Hyzaar.

Mr. Ahl is a senior leader with more than 25 years of sales operations and brand development experience for EMD Chemicals.  He led the multinational European life science sales operation, the Asia Pacific Latin America team, and now, because of his year over year double-digit sales and margin improvements, he manages the Global Sales Operation including the North America sales team from San Diego. He has been a key member of the integration team during EMD’s merger with Millipore.

Mr. Yao is a senior brand executive with exemplary sales and marketing success at the chemicals unit of Merck KGaA, with China operations headquartered in Shanghai.  He plays a key role in establishing and implementing international sales and marketing strategies in the competitive China marketplace. He facilitates the brand success in this market environment with his highly regarded management approach. 

All three recipients exemplify the qualities of a Brand Leader through their years of being the driving force behind major health science and technology brands.  We’re pleased to see executives of their caliber representing our industry and receiving such recognition.

The World Brand Congress and award presentation was held November 22-24 in Mumbai, India and represented 60 countries.