NEW YORK, Dec. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- For the 5th consecutive year, McCann Health Japan towered above its competition to win Specialist Agency of the Year in Japan and Korea, impressing the judges with its innovation, initiative, client retention and contribution to both industry and society.

In addition, June Laffey, Executive Creative Director, McCann Health Australia, came in second place in the Creative of the Year category for Australia and New Zealand, placing right after another McCann Worldgroup creative leader, Pat Baron, Executive Creative Director, McCann Melbourne.

Mark Worman, EVP, McCann Health Asia Pacific said: "This recognition for our Japanese and Australian agencies is a tribute to our remarkably talented teams across the region. For McCann Health Japan to win this award for an unprecedented fifth year in a row is an extraordinary achievement and establishes a true legacy of pioneering for our clients."

Jeremy Perrott, Global Creative Director, McCann Health, said: "It was not long ago that healthcare was in the minor league of 'real advertising.' Today we are at the vanguard of creativity. I'm extremely proud that June is being recognized not only for her tremendous talent but also for her dedication to improving the perception of healthcare communications overall."

Among McCann Health Japan's standout campaigns this year has been the "End ALS" program for The End ALS Association, which has both won a number of creative awards and had a measurable impact in combatting this disease through awareness. Recently, in fact, McCann Health Japan received confirmation that its petition to the government to fund eye-tracking software for ALS patients, when a tracheotomy is required, has been provisionally approved. Nearly 70% of ALS patients choose death over tracheotomy out of concern that losing their ability to speak will leave them severely isolated socially.

Ms. Laffey was executive creative director and writer of the Simponi "Hardly Noticed" films and multimedia campaign, currently the most highly awarded pharma campaign in the world. Awards won for this campaign in support of J&J/ Janssen Biotech's arthritis drug so far have included a Gold and a Bronze Lion at this year's inaugural Lions Health Festival in Cannes, 2 Golds and a Bronze at Spikes Asia, a Global Award, 4 Silver Clio Health statues, an Rx Silver and 6 Rx Bronzes.

About McCann Health
Comprising the world's most connected health and wellness experts, McCann Health (www.mccannhealth.com) is the most awarded professional and consumer health communications network with the largest international expertise spanning 35 countries and 57 offices. McCann Health's global network includes McCann HumanCare, McCann Healthcare, McCann Regan Campbell Ward, McCann Torre Lazur, McCann Complete Medical (the leading worldwide medical communications practice), and Double Helix (an international healthcare consultancy focused on working with clients on strategic market research and market access issues). McCann Health is a part of McCann Worldgroup, the largest marketing communications agency network in the world, and is a leading healthcare agency network owned by Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG).

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SOURCE McCann Worldgroup