Imre Taps Fred Hickman III to Steer Agile Agency Overhaul

NEW YORK, NY – March 10, 2026 – In a strategic move signaling a deep commitment to operational transformation, performance-driven creative agency Imre has appointed Fred Hickman III as its new Executive Vice President, Group Account Lead. The appointment places the 19-year pharmaceutical marketing veteran at the helm of the agency's Account Services department, a role critical to Imre's ambitious plan to scale a new, agile operating model for the healthcare and life sciences sectors.

The hire is more than a simple leadership change; it represents a significant bet on a future where speed, adaptability, and deeply integrated client partnerships are the primary drivers of success. Hickman's arrival from competitor Klick comes at what Imre describes as a pivotal moment, as the agency refines a “future-ready accelerated launch model” designed to meet the complex demands of modern healthcare marketing.

The Strategic Imperative: Agility in a Modern Healthcare Market

For agencies navigating the turbulent waters of healthcare marketing, the old paradigms are no longer sufficient. The industry is characterized by rapid technological advancement, evolving patient expectations, and a complex regulatory environment, making traditional, long-cycle campaign development increasingly untenable. In response, Imre is embarking on a focused “agile transformation,” aiming to embed the principles of rapid iteration, cross-functional collaboration, and data-driven decision-making into its core DNA.

This is where Hickman’s role becomes central. The Account Services department, often seen as the logistical hub of an agency, is being reimagined as its strategic core. As Imre CEO Nadine Lafond stated, “Fred understands Account Services as the connective tissue of an agency—championing great work, strengthening client relationships, and driving delivery excellence.” The department is tasked with being both the “translator of the client challenge” and the “final connection upon delivery,” a dual role that is paramount in an agile system.

Hickman is expected to be instrumental in scaling this new operating model, a system designed to deliver faster timelines, sharper accountability, and a stronger competitive advantage for clients. By refining organizational workflows, the agency aims to accelerate decision-making and foster deeper integration with its client partners, moving beyond a vendor relationship to one of true strategic alignment.

A Veteran Leader for a New Era

To lead such a significant transformation, Imre has secured a leader with a formidable track record. Fred Hickman III brings nearly two decades of pharmaceutical marketing experience, having held senior leadership positions at some of the industry's most prominent agencies. Before his most recent role as SVP, Group Account Director at Klick, he held similar senior posts at 21GRAMS, Grey Group, and DraftFcb Healthcare.

Throughout his career, Hickman has built a reputation for leading brand strategy and market development initiatives across a remarkably diverse and complex range of therapeutic areas. His expertise spans rare disease, pediatrics, dermatology, ophthalmology, autoimmune disorders, and neurology, as well as medical devices. This breadth of experience, covering both U.S. and global markets, has equipped him with a nuanced understanding of how to balance creative excellence with the stringent regulatory rigor required in the life sciences.

Nadine Lafond praised this unique combination of skills, noting, “Fred brings a rare combination of strategic precision, operational leadership excellence, and the kind of collaborative mindset that elevates the people around him.” This blend of strategy and operations is precisely what Imre needs as it looks to operationalize its agile vision and apply it effectively to the high-stakes world of pharmaceutical product launches and brand management.

Navigating the Competitive Healthcare Agency Landscape

Hickman’s appointment is also a significant development in the hyper-competitive talent market of healthcare marketing. His move from a major player like Klick to Imre is a testament to the latter’s growing influence and ambition. In an industry where expertise is the primary currency, attracting and retaining top-tier talent is a direct indicator of an agency's market strength and future potential.

As a 33-year-old agency, Imre is an established name, but this move is part of a broader push to sharpen its competitive edge against a field of giant agency networks and specialized boutiques. By hiring a leader with deep commercial and operational acumen, Imre is signaling to the market that it is investing heavily in the infrastructure needed to deliver superior client outcomes. This focus on operational excellence, rather than just creative output, is becoming a key differentiator for agencies looking to win and retain business with sophisticated healthcare clients.

This strategic hire, following the appointment of Nadine Lafond as CEO in late 2025 and the launch of a Precision Experience Practice, suggests a clear pattern of investment in capabilities that align with the future trajectory of the industry. Imre is positioning itself not just as a creative partner, but as an operational engine capable of navigating complexity and accelerating results.

Redefining Client Partnerships Through Empathy and Agility

Ultimately, the success of Imre's transformation will be measured by the value it delivers to clients and, by extension, to patients. Hickman himself has emphasized this patient-centric focus. “I'm excited to partner with this team to help clients deliver solutions grounded in the real experiences of people living with these conditions,” he stated upon his appointment.

This philosophy is at the heart of the agile methodology. By breaking down large projects into smaller, iterative cycles, teams can gather real-world feedback more frequently and adjust their strategies accordingly, ensuring that marketing efforts remain relevant and resonant with the target audience. Hickman’s stated commitment to leading with “empathy, practical thinking, and agility” directly supports this goal.

Implementing agile methodologies in the highly regulated healthcare space presents unique challenges, from ensuring compliance to managing data security. However, Hickman’s background in cross-functional leadership and commercial operations provides him with the experience to navigate these hurdles. His leadership of the Account Services team will be crucial in embedding these modern methodologies, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, and ensuring that Imre's operational evolution translates directly into more meaningful and effective work for the patients its clients serve.