WASHINGTON: When Dr. Susan Wood resigned as director of the FDA's Office of Women's Health in August, she became the face of the frustration around the morning-after-pill controversy.
DDB Issues & Advocacy is now working with Wood to keep her message of scientific integrity in front of the public.
"She's a fantastic spokesperson," said agency SVP Margaret Conway. "Our job was just to get her in front of the media. It was a powerful story. [The media] really wanted to cover this."
DDB is working on a "road show" for Wood, who will give speeches, do interviews, and work with local advocacy groups in the top 15 media markets. She already has appeared on Nightline, 60 Minutes, and CNN.
Account supervisor Chrissy Faessen noted that DDB media trained Wood and helped her refine her message. The agency is planning a viral online effort to further support outreach.
Wood is speaking not only in support of the morning-after pill, but also about what she sees as a regulatory environment in which politics are put ahead of science.
"The health of women and their families is her first commitment," Conway said.
Wood resigned after the FDA called for additional public comment on the pill - sold under the brand name Plan B - and again delayed a decision on its over-the-counter status.
Pro-choice advocates leaked her resignation letter to the press. Conway noted that the agency warned Wood that the letter might be leaked and helped her prepare a public statement.
