San Diego PR firm Canale Communications, specializing in serving life science companies, has been sold to UDG Healthcare (LON:UDG), a Dublin-based international pharmaceutical giant, in a deal that is valued at up to $31 million. A Canale company spokesman told Flashes that UDG will pay an initial cash sum of $20 million to be followed by an additional $11 million after three years, depending on profits. Canale Communications will become part of Ashfield Healthcare Communications, UDG Healthcare’s global agency network. Founded in 2010, Canale Communications will keep its name and Mission Hills office. Its staff of 30 full-time employees is expected to grow with new clients who will benefit from UDG resources, the company said. Canale provides PR, investor relations and creative services, including content creation, website development and social media, to about 70 clients in the biotech, biopharma, digital health and genomics fields. The Canale spokesperson also said Carin Canale-Theakston, Canale Communications founder and CEO, along with four managing directors, have agreed to remain with the company for a minimum of three years. Canale-Theakston will continue to serve as CEO of the agency post-acquisition. With more than 8,500 employees in 26 countries, UDG, formerly called United Drug, is a leading international firm delivering advisory, communications, commercial, clinical and packaging services to the healthcare industry. Ashfield, based in Lyndhurst, N.J., provides advisory, communications, commercial and clinical services for the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries.
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Mark Blackwell has parted ways with San Diego adult contemporary radio station KYXY-FM 96.5 where he worked for 37 years. Blackwell, the station’s program director since 2017, said his departure was due to budget cuts. The station, previously owned by CBS Radio San Diego, became part of Philadelphia-based Entercom Communications Corp. (NYSE: ETM) two years ago. Blackwell started at KYXY in June 1982 as a news writer and was later promoted to news director. “I made my way into the music and programming department and worked as music director, assistant program director and then as program director,” said Blackwell. “I’m looking forward to my next big adventure.”
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Nathan Schmidt, executive VP of brand strategy and digital channels with San Diego County Credit Union (SDCCU), has been selected for a 2019 Men of Influence award by SD Metro Magazine. The award recognizes men who are making impactful contributions to the San Diego region. The magazine said Schmidt’s leadership for raising the bar in creativity, service, strategy and execution has resulted in exponential growth for SDCCU and awareness of the SDCCU brand. Schmidt, who joined SDCCU in 2010, also is a recipient of the Marketing Professional of the Year award by the CUNA Marketing & Business Development Council.