GD&A Launches Armada Medical Marketing; New Division to Specialize in Marketing of Preventive and Diagnostic Imaging, Medical Equipment, and Medical Devices and Services.

Business Editors

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 6, 2003

GD&A Advertising and Public Relations, an integrated marketing agency, has launched a specialized division dedicated exclusively to the needs of health care clients. The Armada Medical Marketing division (www.armadamedicalmarketing.com) will focus on clients in the fields of diagnostic and preventive imaging, retail medicine, medical equipment, supplies and devices, and related products and services. The new division will offer integrated direct mail, advertising, creative, strategic planning, public relations and consulting services.

"Effective health care marketing requires specialized knowledge," says Jim Koehler, president and CEO of GD&A. "We've been marketing to both health care professionals and direct to consumers for nearly two decades, and have recently built even more expertise in the area of preventive imaging, retail medicine and patient health care management. Armada Medical Marketing is the next logical step for our company."

Koehler says Armada Medical Marketing is highly qualified to work with medical clients because it has a deep understanding of target markets for products and services, and does not need the long learning curve other agencies require.

"Medical professionals tell us they enjoy working with us because they don't need to start from scratch," notes Koehler. "Whether we're marketing interventional cardiology innovations to key influencers, virtual colonoscopy to consumers or electron beam computed tomography (EBCT) and conventional CT scans to physicians, our clients don't have to spend their valuable time teaching the agency the basics of health care and retail medicine marketing."

"The integrated nature of our agency's services is what's attractive to medical clients, especially the diagnostic imaging centers," says Heather Gallien, the agency's director of client services. "The strategic combination of consumer advertising, direct marketing to physicians and public relations creates a powerful combination that will have a positive impact on a company's bottom line."

"Direct-to-consumer marketing is not something that physicians are used to having responsibility for," says Dan Snyders, Armada Medical Marketing's PR supervisor. "Yet, medical practices, companies and imaging centers that engage in intelligent marketing efforts improve their market position and achieve greater consumer name recognition and preference. Our work is thought-provoking and attention-getting, without diminishing the perceived value of the medical profession."

Armada Medical Marketing will operate from the GD&A Advertising and Public Relations offices at 1774 Platte Street in lower downtown Denver.

About Armada Medical Marketing

Armada Medical Marketing is the medical marketing division of GD&A Advertising & Public Relations of Denver, Colorado. Armada focuses on clients in diagnostic and preventive imaging, retail medicine, medical equipment, supplies and devices, and related products and services. Parent company GD&A was founded in 1975 and provides marketing, advertising and public relations services for local, national and international clients. GD&A also provides interactive and direct marketing services and specializes in integrated marketing campaigns for consumer, technology, business-to-business and other clients. For more information on GD&A, visit www.gda-advertising.com or call 303-623-1190 x 229. For more information on Armada Medical Marketing, visit www.armadamedicalmarketing.com or call 303-623-1190 x229.