Alfred Jackson, who has more than 20 years of health communications experience, has joined Portland Communications' DC office to expand the offerings for the Omnicom unit.

Most recently, Jackson served as executive VP at Spectrum.

Alfred JacksonAlfred Jackson

He did a four-year stint as head of Chandler Chicco Cos. Washington outpost, counseling clients such as STOP Obesity Alliance, Coca-Cola, Pfizer, Allergan and Nestle Nutrition. O'Neill and Assocs. and Ketchum are on Jackson's resume.

Jane Brearley, who heads global healthcare at Portland's London headquarters, said the US in terms of diversity of clients and geography is the next stage of development.

“To be successful, we believe that biotech companies, innovators exploring treatments for rare disease, advocacy groups, pharma companies and others must develop and execute integrated marketing and communications strategies that include all key audiences," said Brearley in a statement. "The U.S. health care market is rapidly evolving. Portland will help clients navigate the quickly changing landscape.”