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Photosound | Pharma Integrated Marketing

GSK respiratory congress, early 2000s

GSK respiratory congress, early 2000s

GSK NASCAR activation, early 2000s

GSK NASCAR activation, early 2000s

Backstage with NASCAR driver Bobby Labonte

Backstage with NASCAR driver Bobby Labonte

Rendering of a BMS cardiology congress, early 2000s

Rendering of a BMS cardiology congress, early 2000s

MSD rheumatology congress, early 2000s

MSD rheumatology congress, early 2000s

Two weeks into my first proper job, Singapore

Two weeks into my first proper job, Singapore

Summary

Directed the global experiential delivery for a blue-chip pharmaceutical roster, progressing from UK-based Producer for GlaxoSmithKline and Bristol-Myers Squibb to Senior Account Director in the United States.

Tasked with leading the agency’s largest global account (Merck, Sharp & Dohme) and directing the GSK NASCAR mobile brand experience tour to anchor the firm’s North American footprint.

The Sharp End

Business & Design Leadership: Acted as the primary strategic lead and stakeholder manager for the $4M+ annual MSD account, managing a team of direct reports and a cross-functional studio of spatial designers, developers and graphic designers.

Directed the end-to-end creative and technical workflow, from initial architectural concepts to digital engagement layers; ensuring that the spatial narrative and interactive components functioned as a single, coherent brand experience.

Global Operational Oversight: Led the strategic planning and on-site delivery of pharmaceutical trade show architecture across 20+ global cities annually. Coordinated with external build crews and specialist contractors to translate 2D designs into 3D environments under high-pressure, fixed-deadline conditions, from International medical congresses to national US roadshows.

The Impact

Commercial Partnership: Secured the long-term stability of the US operation through high-level stakeholder retention and the sustained growth of the flagship $4M+ MSD mandate; providing the primary commercial engine for the North American office following its establishment.

Strategic Versatility: Successfully transitioned the firm's core trade show expertise into the mobile activation space; directing the GSK NASCAR brand experience tour and proving that the "Photosound" methodology could scale into high-impact, national consumer roadshows.

Tactical Rigour: Developed a reputation for "staying calm inside the chaos" by resolving complex logistical challenges before they impacted client reputation; ensuring the agency remained the preferred partner for the world’s most demanding pharmaceutical environments.

The booth that burned on the road to Madrid

The booth that burned on the road to Madrid

When a fire threatened to derail a major pharma launch, we rebuilt the entire booth in 48 hours.

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Martin Potter is a Basel-based integrated creative and brand experience practitioner, helping organisations translate complex narratives into human-centred creative execution with measurable impact.

alotte.ch is designed and managed by Martin.

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