Julie Pilon returns as President, building on the agency’s legendary creative and client partnerships
AREA 23, IPG Health’s stratospherically successful healthcare agency, today announced that Julie Pilon, network veteran and previous Chief Strategy Officer has returned to the agency as President. Pilon succeeds Renee Mellas, former Group President of AREA 23, who will depart the agency later this month to return to her entrepreneurial roots.
Partnering closely with AREA 23’s distinguished Chief Creative Officer, Tim Hawkey, Pilon will enhance the agency’s already lauded data and technology capabilities. By further integrating strategy, data and tech, the agency will continue to define the future of healthcare advertising, creating impactful, behavior-changing work that resonates within and beyond the industry.
"Julie’s return marks a pivotal moment for AREA 23, the next chapter in our relentless pursuit of creative excellence and what’s next. And, of course it stemmed from our 'Wonderful World of What If,' which has continuously empowered us to go further, deeper and higher over the years," said Hawkey. "Where do you go from here as an agency that’s reached unprecedented heights with the most incredible talent and clients? We build on our success to reach the nexus of human and machine intelligence – a future where bold creativity, strategic clarity, and advanced data and tech seamlessly integrate to dismantle barriers that stand in the way of true innovation. And from there, Julie’s appointment was given!"
Pilon, the epitome of IPG Health’s Proactive Career Management (PCM) philosophy, served as the global network’s Chief Strategy Officer for the past 2+ years. Prior to that, she was the Chief Strategy Officer at FCB Health, after leading strategy teams at AREA 23. Pilon spearheaded the development of inQ, IPG Health's integrated strategic framework for creating inclusive customer experiences. An entrepreneur at heart and having led a breakthrough research and consulting agency earlier in her career, Pilon was pivotal in shaping the ultimate nexus of strategy, data and tech: IPG Health’s proprietary EPICC suite of products and solutions for insights, creativity and content adhering to compliance and regulatory requirements. Since EPICC’s launch last year, more than 100 interactive LivingPersonas and LivingJourneys have been completed across 20 therapeutic areas for pharma clients globally. Most recently, Pilon was integral to the launch of EPICC’s LivingMirror, a dynamic AI-focus group.
"I am looking forward to this next professional chapter and the opportunity to be back at AREA 23 and working alongside Tim and all the incredible talent at the agency," said Pilon. "I’ve always embraced change and evolution and the future of data, tech and AI – and the ability to leverage it even further – excites me. AREA 23’s incredible creative reputation and success is indisputable, and I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves and help build the agency of the future, doubling down on its already recognized data and technology excellence."
This news comes on the heels of AREA 23’s continued meteoric success including being named "Healthcare Agency of the Year" at Cannes Lions 2025 for an unprecedented sixth year in a row. AREA 23 was also named the #1 most creative agency in the world on The Drum’s 2023 World Creative Rankings – the first time a healthcare agency secured the top spot in the U.S. and global leaderboards. The agency continues to stay true to its well-known Wonderful World of What If philosophy and groundbreaking What If platform – AREA 23’s investment in innovation and creativity which gives team members dedicated time to identify problems and work together to create breakthrough solutions. What If winners are presented to clients and many have gone on to become award-winning campaigns.
About AREA 23
Part of the IPG Health network, AREA 23 is a full-service agency focused on pushing creativity and invention in healthcare marketing to new heights. Its "What If" way of working provides a framework for breakthrough ideas that truly drive innovation and keep clients ahead of industry trends. AREA 23 has been consistently recognized with the highest industry awards and honors including three Grands Prix and "Healthcare Agency of the Year" at Cannes Lions, Fast Company’s 2025 Innovation by Design Awards and “Global Pharma Agency of the Year” and “North American Regional Pharma Agency of the Year at the 2023 London International Awards. The agency was also recognized as the #1 most creative agency in the world on The Drum’s 2023 World Creative Rankings – the first time a healthcare agency secured the top spot in the U.S. and global leaderboards. Learn more about AREA 23.
