AUSTIN, Texas, September 10 /PRNewswire/ --

- Michael Dumigan Named Managing Director of New Operation

HC&B Healthcare Communications, one of the nation's top 25 independent healthcare marketing firms, has opened an office in London, deepening its commitment to providing integrated global resources to a growing base of international clients. The new office will be headed by industry veteran Michael Dumigan, who joins the agency as managing director.

"Many clients today have worldwide operations and require partners who can operate effectively on an international scale," said Kerry Hilton, president and CEO of HC&B. "Strengthening our global capabilities equips us to better serve our clients' existing needs and to provide vital resources and knowledge to clients expanding into new geographic regions."

Michael Dumigan, formerly managing director of Brand Create Limited, a London-based branding agency, brings wide-ranging experience in healthcare, consumer and corporate communications to his new role as managing director of the London office of HC&B Healthcare. His healthcare experience spans multiple therapeutic categories and includes work for Bristol-Myers Squibb, KCI International, and other major global corporations.

Dumigan's academic background includes a Bachelor of Science in genetics from England's University of Manchester and a Master of Business Administration from Manchester Business School, one of the top-25 business schools in the world. He is an occasional lecturer on marketing for Open University, a distance-learning institution operating in 13 cites across the U.K., and is widely published, contributing articles to periodicals ranging from Pharmaceutical Times to the World Trade Organisation's Annual Review. In 1997, Dumigan stood for Parliament (unsuccessfully) as a liberal democrat candidate for the cities of London and Westminster.

"We're very pleased to have Michael leading our global expansion," Hilton said. "His business vision and passion for healthcare align closely with HC&B's corporate philosophy, and his intelligence, creativity and strong management skills have produced an impressive record of achievement."

In his new role, Dumigan will have overall responsibility for the new London office, including its growth, development and day-to-day operations. He will oversee all current HC&B global accounts, working closely with HC&B management in the U.S. and reporting directly to Hilton. He will also lead new global business development efforts.

"We'll hit the ground running because we have already won substantial global healthcare business with a client operating in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific," Dumigan noted. "We've put a top-grade team in place in London and we are already working closely with our counterparts in the U.S. to deliver global solutions for a growing number of global healthcare brands."

The new HC&B office will be based on the 16th floor of Centre Point at the heart of London's West End, overlooking the City of London and Docklands (an upscale business and residential area flanking the River Thames) and conveniently close to the rail links for Heathrow, Gatwick and London City airports. The address is 103 New Oxford St., London WC1A 1DD.

For additional information on HC&B's global expansion and new London office, email Kerry Hilton at kerry.hilton@hcbhealth.com or phone +1-512-320-8511. Michael Dumigan can be reached at michael.dumigan@hcbhealth.com or by phone at +44-203-102-5170.

About HC&B

Headquartered in Austin, Tex., with a second office in London, HC&B Healthcare Communications is one of the top 25 independent healthcare agencies in the nation. HC&B serves the entire healthcare sector, including manufacturers (of high-tech medical devices and high-science pharmaceuticals, diagnostics and genetic engineering products), healthcare providers and insurers (physician groups, hospitals, advocacy groups and managed care organizations), and individuals (patients and consumers).

One of the fastest growing agencies in its field, HC&B has maintained a compounded 25 percent annual revenue growth since its inception. Capitalized billings for 2007 were US$26 million.

HC&B's clients, both domestic and global, include Kinetic Concepts, Inc. (KCI), Encysive Pharmaceuticals, the Menninger Clinic, Exagen Diagnostics, Inc, Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Luminex Corporation, Solis Women's Health, Sound Surgical Technologies LLC, Kemin Health, L.C., Texas Oncology, PA, Optima Health, the Scott & White Health Plan, Tenet Healthcare Corporation, Ponder & Co., Senior Safe At Home, and The Scooter Store.

HC&B is headquartered at 701 Brazos, Suite 1450, Austin, TX 78701, telephone +1-512-320-8511, FAX +1-512-320-8990. For additional information, visit www.hcbhealth.com.

Photos available upon request.

CONTACT: Julie Laitin +1-212-286-2424 Email: jlaitin@julielaitin.com Cynthia Amorese +1-908-665-8072 Email: camorese@comcast.net

Web site: http://www.hcbhealth.com

Julie Laitin, +1-212-286-2424, jlaitin@julielaitin.com, or Cynthia Amorese, +1-908-665-8072, camorese@comcast.net, both for HC&B Healthcare Communications