Insight Drop: Strategic Thinking Over Execution: Redefining Agency Value in MedComms
July 8, 2025
In this solo episode of Transforming Medical Communications, host Wesley Portegies draws from the 2025 State of MedComms survey to explore what pharma teams truly want from their agency partners. And the answer isn’t more slide decks. It’s strategy.
Wesley breaks down the five capabilities that Medical Affairs leaders expect from modern agencies, ranging from scientific depth to digital fluency, and explains why empathy, insight, and operational awareness are just as important as technical skill. He also shares a practical example that reveals the difference between a transactional vendor and a true thought partner, and offers clear steps to activate more strategic collaboration.
Execution is everywhere in Medical Communications, but is your agency helping you think?
In this solo episode of Transforming Medical Communications, host Wesley Portegies draws from the 2025 State of MedComms survey to explore what pharma teams truly want from their agency partners. And the answer isn’t more slide decks. It’s strategy.
Wesley breaks down the five capabilities that Medical Affairs leaders expect from modern agencies, ranging from scientific depth to digital fluency, and explains why empathy, insight, and operational awareness are just as important as technical skill. He also shares a practical example that reveals the difference between a transactional vendor and a true thought partner, and offers clear steps to activate more strategic collaboration.
Whether you’re a Medical Affairs leader briefing an agency, this episode offers a timely shift in mindset, from output to impact.
In this episode, you’ll learn how to:
- Recognize the five qualities that define a true thought partner
- Brief agencies with context, not just deliverables
- Create space for challenge, insight, and innovation
- Measure value beyond the slide deck
- Move from tactical output to strategic influence
Before you hit play, ask yourself: Is your agency just doing the work, or helping you make smarter decisions?
Cut Through the Noise. Elevate Your Strategy.
Guiding Medical Affairs strategy across Medical Communications, Field Medical, or Medical Affairs Training? Wesley Portegies, host of Transforming Medical Communications, is opening up a few exclusive 30-minute consultancy sessions.
Guiding Medical Affairs strategy across Medical Communications, Field Medical, or Medical Affairs Training? Wesley Portegies, host of Transforming Medical Communications, is opening up a few exclusive 30-minute consultancy sessions.
This is a candid, insight-rich opportunity to step back from the day-to-day, pressure-test your approach, and explore fresh solutions to complex MedComms challenges—from scientific engagement to operational alignment.
If you’re shaping the future of Medical Affairs at your organization, this conversation is for you.
Reserve your session → Schedule now https://calendly.com/d/gc7q-khv/consultancy-meeting
Previous guests include: Sissy Easo-Joseph at GSK, Barbara Bish at Janssen, Drew Provan at Queen Mary University, Rebecca McCracken at Agios Pharmaceuticals
Check out our three most downloaded episodes:
- The Human Side of Medical Communications: Building Trust
- From Research to Reach: How Sermo, Kudos, and Figshare Expand Your Audience
- Modernizing Your MedComms Approach
Transforming Medical Communications is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so
Disclaimer: The opinions and views expressed by the guest are their own and do not represent any past or current employers.