Company: Exact Sciences, Madison, WI
Nomination Submitted by: BCW Global
Company Description: A leading global provider of cancer screening and diagnostic tests, Exact Sciences gives patients and health care professionals the clarity needed to take life-changing action earlier. Building on the success of the Cologuard® and Oncotype® tests, Exact Sciences is investing in its pipeline to develop innovative solutions for use before, during, and after a cancer diagnosis.
Nomination Category: Corporate Communications, Investor Relations, & Public Relations Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Communications, Investor Relations, or PR Executive of the Year
 Nomination Title: Morry Smulevitz (Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs)
- Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes in length about the achievements of the nominated individual since January 1 2022, OR written answers to the questions for this category? (Choose one):
Written answers to the questions
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the nominated video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this first question: Briefly describe the nominated individual: their history and past performance (up to 200 words):
Total 191 words used.
Morry Smulevitz has 30 years of progressive and award-winning communications and corporate affairs leadership experience, advancing and protecting corporate reputation and the competitive position of iconic healthcare and consumer brands, including Fortune 500 companies.
Smulevitz currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Exact Sciences, a leading global provider of cancer screening and diagnostic tests. Prior to joining Exact Sciences, Smulevitz served as Vice President of Global Corporate Communications for Walgreens Boots Alliance, the largest retail health and pharmacy across the U.S. and Europe. Before joining WBA, Smulevitz led U.S. Public Affairs at AbbVie. He also served in numerous global communications leadership roles at Eli Lilly and Company. At AbbVie and Lilly, he supported the launch of more than 20 new medicines, indications and devices across all disease states in countries around the world.
Smulevitz earned his bachelor’s degree in communications from Indiana University and completed executive education programs at Columbia University and Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. He is a frequent guest speaker in the communications industry and was a two-time appointed member of the Indiana Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sport.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this second question: Outline the nominated individual's achievements since the beginning of 2022 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words):
Total 235 words used.
Since joining Exact Sciences in May 2022, Smulevitz has positioned the company as a healthcare innovation leader and magnified its health equity initiatives to build trust among a diverse range of audiences.
In August 2023, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden toured the Exact Sciences laboratory in Madison, Wisconsin. Smulevitz’s team coordinated the opportunity to highlight Exact Sciences’ role in helping prevent cancer, detect it earlier and guide treatment, as well as the company’s pipeline.
Smulevitz has helped ensure that health equity stands at the forefront of Exact Sciences’ communications. The FOCUS program, launched during Smulevitz’s first year at Exact Sciences, has awarded $3 million to 50 organizations aimed at reducing barriers to colorectal cancer screening. This initiative has solidified the company’s position as a dedicated community partner committed to increasing awareness of and access to screening.
Additionally, his innovative engagement with the cancer advocacy community continues to set Exact Sciences apart, including hosting a communications workshop for 20+ leaders led by Katie Couric and an exclusive EXAS NASDAQ closing bell event celebrating partnership with the American Cancer Society.
Smulevitz has created a new model for Corporate Affairs, growing the department to 30 people (half of which are new roles) and integrating government affairs, ESG, corporate impact and community relations teams. He fosters a collaborative and positive environment, earning his department a 2023 PRWeek US Best Place to Work designation and consistent top engagement scores across
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this third question: Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the individual's past performance (up to 250 words):
Total 250 words used.
Since 2022, Exact Sciences acquired three companies (11 total since 2017). These acquisitions, while expanding product offerings, introduced communications challenges, but Smulevitz led a seamless master brand integration. At a 2023 global sales meeting, Smulevitz presented to 2,000 team members on the impact of corporate affairs and the importance of its work promoting the Exact Sciences brand.
Elevating corporate affairs to the executive level and reporting directly to the CEO for the first time, Smulevitz’s role is groundbreaking. He launched Exact Sciences’ first brand-building campaign, a brand anthem video, a novel online corporate storytelling function and the inaugural executive speakers’ bureau. These initiatives increased Exact Sciences’ CEO’s LinkedIn followers by 20% and the brand’s LinkedIn followers by 24.7% over the past year.
In June 2023, Exact Sciences announced positive BLUE-C study results, positioning the next-generation Cologuard as a leading CRC screening test. Smulevitz balanced promotion surrounding this advancement with continued communications surrounding Cologuard, securing an exclusive CEO interview on CNBC.
Additionally, Smulevitz and his team capitalized on a Saturday Night Live skit spoofing Cologuard, turning it into a branding opportunity that led to 10M+ YouTube views and quadrupled website visits. In Q4 2023, Cologuard’s brand awareness reached an all-time high of 89%. By leveraging Cologuard’s success, Smulevitz raised brand connection awareness by 30% and initiated a March Madness PR program, employing breakthrough promotional strategies beyond traditional media and DTC marketing.
Moreover, Smulevitz introduced an embargo media strategy for quarterly earnings that has garnered top-tier business and financial coverage.
- You have the option to answer this final question: Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
Total 193 words used.
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