Stephen Farquhar has taken over as CEO of Publicis Health Media (PHM), succeeding longtime Publicis executive Andrea Palmer.
At the time of publication, Publicis had not issued an official statement announcing the leadership change. A PHM spokesperson confirmed Farquhar’s appointment to Fierce after the news was first reported by MM+M.
Palmer had led PHM as CEO for about 2 years after previously serving as president, chief strategy officer and senior vice president and general manager of the agency’s Chicago operation. She had spent 19 years at Publicis, according to MM+M, and played a key role in PHM’s growth. PHM did not say why Palmer stepped down.
Palmer was named PHM president in 2019 after 11 years at Publicis. At the time, the agency credited her with playing a “pivotal role” in its development. She also originated the idea for PHM HealthFront, the agency’s annual healthcare-focused media upfront, after attending the 2018 Upfronts and NewFronts.
Farquhar takes over the role effective immediately, bringing more than two years of experience leading Publicis Health’s U.S. business. He joined Publicis Health, another part of parent company Publicis Groupe, as CEO in February 2024 after serving as chief marketing officer at sister unit Publicis Media. His work there spanned industries including pharma, consumer packaged goods and telecommunications.
In January 2025, Publicis appointed former Omnicom Health Group CEO Matt McNally as global CEO of Publicis Health, with Farquhar continuing as CEO of Publicis Health U.S. The pair were tasked with working together across Publicis’ broader healthcare and pharma agency network.
Farquhar has held agency leadership roles in the U.S., U.K. and China and has worked across healthcare marketing and media in 92 markets, according to Publicis. His experience spans areas including data strategy, patient services and healthcare professional marketing.
PHM is Publicis’ health-focused media agency, specializing in strategy, media investment, data and campaign optimization for healthcare and wellness marketers. Its media capabilities span paid search and social, programmatic advertising, publishing and content, point-of-care marketing, video and SEO. The agency has offices in Philadelphia, New York and Chicago.