Profiled - Social Media in the Pharmaceutical Industry - The social media conference for the pharma sector

An interview with Kellee Halliburton, marketing executive at SMi Group, conference organisers of Social Media in the Pharmaceutical Industry

Social Media Portal (SMP): What do you do at SMi Group?

Kellee Halliburton (KH): I'm marketing executive at SMi Group, responsible for the day to day marketing activities of the pharmaceutical events for the year including Social Media in the Pharmaceutical Industry.

SMP: Briefly, tell us about Social Media in the Pharmaceutical Industry conference, what is it and when is the event scheduled?

KH: Social media as a channel for communications and consumer engagement is the hot topic in pharmaceutical communications and marketing. Our Social Media in the Pharmaceutical Industry conference is to be held in London on 24th & 25th January 2012.

SMP: Why was Social Media in the Pharmaceutical Industry conference started, and how long has it been going?

KH: This is our third social media event for the pharmaceutical industry in a year. Due to the fantastic response we received for the inaugural and July events, we have decided to run the event again, soon after in order to further establish SMi?s brand in this area. We also realised that people wanted to find about the legal regulations surrounding this as well as formulating the right strategies and the value it will have.

SMP: What is the most challenging part of building up the event?

KH: Pharma is a heavily regulated industry and the regulators (FDA and EMA) have yet to produce any definite guidelines as to how social media can be used responsibly by pharmaceutical companies. Pharma has, therefore, been cautious about dipping its toe in the water.

SMP: Who are your target audience and why (and who should attend)?

KH: Our target audience consist of pharmaceutical academics, government / national healthcare professionals, healthcare charities, online healthcare forums and consultants. With the various groups it provides excellent networking opportunities.

SMP: What will be the highlights at the conference in 2012?

KH: At  Social Media in the Pharmaceutical Industry attendees can find out about the regulatory ?guidance? and the changes that will occur surrounding social media in the pharmaceuticals. They'll be able to experience:

• More case studies from big pharma companies: listen to Eli Lilly?s results of their pilot using social media in recruiting patients
• Get a view point from the NHS: hear how NHS Choices use social media to communicate with the public
• Alex Butler returns for the third time to talk about the impact of social media in pharmaceuticals and what action needs to be taken
• Broader geographic area of speakers coming from the US, Europe and UK and the biggest line-up of pharma speakers
• Interactive workshop: Gain a better understanding of digital health, patient engagement and recruitment strategies

SMP: How are you attracting and attendees to your site and conference?

KH: We use media partners to promote the event via banners, external emails, social media (Twitter, LinkedIN) and direct mailings. We also have twitter page #SMIPharm where the event is tweeted and a link to go to our homepage is added
 
SMP: What are the low moments of what you have been doing so far?

KH: At this point I cannot pinpoint a low moment as the event is going smoothly and we are very excited about it.

SMP: What are the high moments of what you have been doing so far?

KH: We have on board some really good industry leading experts who will be speaking at the conference. They have made mention of the event and on our Twitter page we have a lot of response in terms of people wanting to attend. I believe people are very excited in coming and hearing what the experts have to say regarding this stimulating topic.
 
SMP: What?s the next big step for organisations using social media have to play in this?

KH: The next big step would be all pharmaceutical companies including the NHS to start using social Media as a fully fledged way of communicating to their patients.

SMP: Best way to contact you (e.g. Facebook, LinkedIn Twitter, YouTube etc)?

Best way to contact us is via Twitter (#SMIpharm) and our website (http://smi-online.co.uk/events/default.asp?is=4&mst=1)


SMP: What did you have for breakfast and lunch?

KH: For Breakfast I had turkey breast sandwich

SMP: What?s the last good thing that you did for someone?

KH: Lend a helping hand to a senior citizen who wanted to cross the busy road

SMP: If you weren?t running Social Media in the Pharmaceutical Industry (or doing what you do) what would you be doing?

KH: Planning social events

SMP: When and where did you go on your last holiday?

KH: I went to New York, Orlando and then to Jamaica in 2 weeks

SMP: What?s the first thing you do when you get into the office of a morning?

KH: Check my emails and then my marketing plan

SMP: If you had a superpower what would it be and why?

KH: To make everyone be kind and patient. There are so many impatient and unkind individuals especially in the mornings on my way to work who decide to blow their nose and cough in your face as well as well as play loud music that inconveniences everyone who would like to have a peaceful morning into work. I really think this power is necessary. Think about it.