Tama Named President of CommonHealth's Ferguson

CommonHealth (www.commonhealth.com), a WPP (NASDAQ/ADR: WPPGY; www.wpp.com) company and the world’s leading healthcare-communications network, today announced Christopher Tama, an industry veteran and recent president of ProCom, has assumed the role of president at Ferguson. Ferguson is CommonHealth’s founding professional advertising and promotion agency; ProCom is a Ferguson sister company and a CommonHealth medical education unit. Mr. Tama brings extensive knowledge and a diverse background to Ferguson, with 26 years of experience in healthcare communications, 19 years of which were dedicated to work on the client side of the business. Throughout his career, Mr. Tama has held a wide variety of senior-level positions at Novartis, Searle, and Pharmacia, overseeing numerous U.S. and global brand launches. His key areas of expertise include strategic planning, market research, product and corporate development, sales, and marketing. Before joining the CommonHealth network in 2005, he served as executive vice president and general manager of PDI Inc., a diversified sales and marketing services provider to the biopharmaceuticals, medical devices and diagnostic industries. "Moving into this new role is an honor,” said Mr. Tama. "My experience with the agency goes back many years, when I worked in brand management and had the good fortune of being able to partner with Ferguson to help market my brands. To come full circle and now be leading this stellar agency is a charge I take on with a great deal of enthusiasm and pride,” he added. Immediately prior to his appointment at Ferguson, Mr. Tama held the post of president at ProCom for nearly two years. In his new role as president of Ferguson, Mr. Tama will be responsible for all operations and procedures, new business opportunities and creative output at the agency. As president, Mr. Tama will report to Dave Chapman, managing partner of CommonHealth, responsible for the professional agencies in the network. "Having been president of Ferguson in the past, I know first-hand what it takes to lead an agency with such a rich and innovative history. Chris has the experience, skill set and drive to take Ferguson to immeasurable heights,” stated Dave Chapman. "Chris is perfectly poised to lead Ferguson towards an even greater vision of agency excellence and industry leadership,” said Matt Giegerich, CEO and president of CommonHealth. "Through his obvious passion, keen insight and proven track record, Chris’ success in this pivotal CommonHealth role is inevitable.” CommonHealth comprises Ferguson, ProCom, Altum, Carbon, CommonHealth London, CommonHealth Paris, Conectics, Earthborn, EvoLogue, HLS, MBS/Vox, Noesis, Qi and Solara. The organization also maintains numerous partnerships both within and outside of the WPP network of companies.