Hobbs reappears as Chameleon Medical joint-MD

Gary Hobbs, the former CEO of the UK's largest healthcare PR

specialist Medical Action Communications, has joined a rival agency,

Chameleon Medical Communications.

Hobbs becomes joint MD, a newly-created role working alongside Chameleon

founder and joint MD Angie Franklin.

He said: 'It may seem strange to leave such a large firm for a

medium-sized one, but this post enables me to spend more time with

clients. Having two managing director posts gives Angie and myself time

not only to run the business but to meet clients.'

Hobbs will also focus on long-term strategies.

Franklin said: 'He brings 25 years of experience in pharmaceutical

marketing and medical communications.'

Hobbs and Franklin head a team of 27 at the agency, which launched five

years ago.

Current clients include Novartis, for which it handles several brands

including Visudyne, used to treat age-related mecular degeneration.

Hobbs' departure last September, after less than two years at MAC,

prompted a reorganisation of senior staff. He was replaced by former

director of strategic business development Smita Desai, who became MD.