Access Communications

As the founding partner for Access Communications, Mike's experience in both the professional marketing and managed market arena has helped him to blend collaboration, strategic planning and market knowledge. Across Access's continually expanding client base Mike has more than 14 years of pharmaceutical experience in key therapeutic areas, namely asthma, allergy, anti-infectives, cardiology and ophthalmology. When combined, these aspects work together to create the market dominance for your brand. Mike's breadth and depth as a seasoned marketer in managed markets, medical education, and promotional, have been instrumental in the formation of Access. Mike's wealth of experience, and ability to create the sound strategy for all clients, provides one of the dynamic drivers for Access Communications.

Eric has a passion for developing programs and strategies that are designed to ensure what is best for the brand. Eric is always analyzing current and future markets to create sound strategy for our clients' brands, and establish the key market opportunities. With more than 15 years in pharmaceuticals spanning a number of therapeutic areas and brands, Eric has gained the experience and knowledge needed to help brands and create partnerships in managed markets.

In 1999, Mr. Novello joined Novartis Pharmaceuticals as an assistant director of gastroenterology marketing and successfully launched Zelnorm the industry's first product to treat the multiple symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with constipation.

Mike has developed an effective strategy for providing clients with the tools they need for managed markets. Mike strives to provide clients with a sound strategy, understanding, and a comprehensive rationale to ensure the most successful results. Mike's previous business experience has been instrumental in helping to develop the strategy: as a sales representative, a national and regional account director in managed markets, and a senior sales operations manager, these opportunities have all contributed to Mike's understanding and belief that long-term success is based on the backbone of sound strategic direction. Mike's knowledge, strategy, and insights of managed markets and employers has been instrumental in providing clients with the important tools they need to grow their brands.

Matthew Afflixio has more than 20 years of agency experience in strategic planning, corporate and product public relations, marketing and special events. A 12-year Access veteran, Matthew oversees a variety of accounts including Intuit Small Business. Known to many as "the hardest working man in the PR business," he has orchestrated such major industry events as the UN 50 Celebration in San Francisco and New York, The Grammys, City of Hope Benefits and The U.S. Open.

The general manager of the agency's New York office, Rich Layne has more than 20 years experience in communications as both a public relations executive and an award-winning journalist writing for publications including Forbes, InformationWeek and the American Banker. An award-winning journalist with more than 1,000 articles published, Rich heads the Amdocs and Ultimate Software accounts.

Our resident spin-doctor, curmudgeon and researcher, Bob has more than a quarter century of experience in news and public relations, including 14 years at Access. An award-winning writer, he is the principal architect of NEWS FLASH and lead dog on the agency's research squad.

From managing high-profile media events with professional athletes and hip hop moguls to crafting and executing strategic promotional campaigns aimed right at the chain-linked wallets of the Gen X, Y and Z set, Cori Barrett is fluent in the language of consumer media. A 12-year veteran of consumer PR, Cori is an expert in strategic planning, messaging, product launches, college age marketing, special events and media relations.

Danielle Cass is a Vice President at Access Communications and plays a lead role on the PayPal, Ingenix and iRise accounts. Danielle has deep experience in media relations, messaging and writing and a marked energy and passion for technology. Danielle brings to Access 11+ years experience as an in-house PR Director and five years as an award-winning newspaper reporter. Prior to joining Access, Danielle was the Public Relations Director at Xinet, a digital asset management software company in Berkeley and Munich, Germany. She drove all internal and external communications including a global customer relations program that produced more than 30 video testimonials from clients such as Macy's/Federated, McCann Erickson, Sunbeam, Sports Illustrated and Fortune. Danielle attended the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.