GSK looks to appoint global media agency

GlaxoSmithKline is looking to appoint a media agency for its consumer healthcare business.According to global reports on Adweek, GSK currently works with PHD in the US and with MediaCom in several overseas markets. In Asia Pacific, GSK works with Group M agency Mindshare. Marketing understands that Mindshare will be defending the business in the region.GSK also works with Novartis' media agency Starcom. This partnership came following GSK's recent completion of a joint venture with Novartis where GSK took on many of Novartis' consumer brands and vaccines while Novartis took on GSK's cancer drugs.A Starcom spokesperson confirmed to Marketing that Starcom "decided not to pursue the opportunity at this time following ongoing discussions around the terms of the review." Meanwhile, Starcom will continue to service the business through a period of transition.Most recently in Asia, Helen Forsyth left her role and the company as area marketing director of GSK consumer healthcare, Asia to return to the UK after 16 years at GSK. She spent four years in Asia. She was responsible for marketing GSK consumer healthcare brands across Asia and led the regional marketing team as well as in-country marketing teams.