Sharon Callahan and Nick Colucci will be honored by the organization at its annual awards dinner, set for February 6, 2025, in New York City
October 24, 2024 — The Medical Advertising Hall of Fame (MAHF) has announced its 2025 inductees: Sharon Callahan, former Chief Client Officer at Omnicom Health Group (OHG), and Nick Colucci, former Chairman and CEO of Publicis Health/COO of Publicis Groupe North America.
Sharon Callahan began her career with an internship at Young & Rubicam, where she worked on major campaigns like Dr Pepper’s iconic “I’m a Pepper” jingle. After the agency lost key clients, she transitioned to Surgical Care Publications (SCP), a startup led by Peter Frishauf. Sharon thrived in the company’s creative culture, taking on various roles over 15 years. SCP launched Medscape, which was sold to WebMD. In 1999, Sharon moved to Medsite.com, where she developed innovative services before starting her own company, Summit Group, which was later acquired by Grey Healthcare Group.
In 2009, Sharon joined Omnicom’s Diversified Agency Services as EVP and later became CEO of Lyons Lavey Nichel Swift (LLNS), revitalizing the agency. By 2015, she spearheaded a merger to form TBWA\WorldHealth, leading the company as CEO and implementing a bold strategic vision. TBWA\WorldHealth achieved significant success with campaigns like Merck’s Keytruda. Sharon was named Med Ad News’ Industry Person of the Year in 2018. She later served as Chief Client Officer at Omnicom Health Group and CEO of CDM before shifting her focus to mentoring and coaching women.
Sharon has also served many organizations whose efforts were important to her, including board membership on the 4A’s, Arthritis Foundation, and Women Against Alzheimer’s, in addition to serving as Chair of the LGBTQ Victory Fund.
Nick Colucci’s career in healthcare advertising spans over 40 years, beginning in pharma sales at Hoffmann-LaRoche. There, he played a key role in major campaigns like the launch of Accutane and Rocephin’s Apple campaign. After working at a health tech startup, he joined Medicus as Managing Director and later became instrumental in Publicis Health’s creation. As President from 2006 to 2018, he unified disparate agencies under one network and established major client relationships with AstraZeneca, Sanofi, and AbbVie. Nick’s leadership in Publicis Health set the foundation for many of the industry’s modern healthcare marketing structures.
Beyond his professional successes, Nick was a mentor and advocate for diversity and inclusion. He nurtured young talent and championed various groups, including women and the LGBTQIA+ community. His impact as a mentor was recognized with the Honorable Mentor award from the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association in 2018. After stepping down as CEO, Nick continued to serve as Publicis Health’s Chairman and later became COO of Publicis Groupe North America. He retired in 2023 but remains active through board positions and volunteer work while dedicating time to family and personal interests.
About the Medical Advertising Hall of Fame: The MAHF was founded in 1996 to preserve the history and heritage of the medical advertising profession and recognize the industry’s most influential and respected forebears. Since then, MAHF has expanded its mission to include recognition of past excellence in creative work, creation of educational resources, and support of the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the industry.
The inductees will be honored on February 6, 2025, at a black-tie dinner at The Pierre in New York City. Seats and tables may be reserved at www.mahf.com/AwardsDinner. For information about advertising opportunities in the Awards Dinner program or other MAHF programming, please contact MAHF Executive Director Anne Gideon at anne@mahf.com.