meet bill,
the original
challenger
Every successful entrepreneur has their business origin story. But when it comes to Bill Drummy, the story isn’t clouded by movie-like clichés or shrouded in tales of a mercurial leader. It’s actually pretty straightforward: a really smart guy saw untapped opportunity in our changing digital world, he bravely said, “I’m in,” and then worked his tail off. Quite simply, Bill is a Challenger.
Always looking to confront the accepted thinking of the day, Bill makes bold predictions, invests early in the future, and constantly asks, “Why not?!” He is tenacious in his approach to marketing—pushing, questioning, challenging. He also inspires others with his generosity and empathy. Bill is the total leadership package.
In 2017, after nearly 20 years leading Heartbeat, Bill decided it was time to hand the reins of Heartbeat to new fearless leaders, Nadine Leonard and James Talerico. At the end of 2018 he officially retired, and now spends his time being pushed, questioned, and challenged by his teenage son, Will, and his effervescent wife, Barrie.
Although he no longer walks our halls, his influence is still felt everywhere at Heartbeat, from the way we work to the warm bond of our employee culture, and the manner in which everyone feels free to ask, just as he always did, “Why not?!”
So, what does the journey of a Fearless Founder really look like? Here is Bill’s brief history of Heartbeat time:
1998
heartbeat is born
Based out of his home in Hoboken, New Jersey, the digital agency is birthed & aptly named Drumbeat Digital.
1999
headfirst into healthcare
The agency’s roster expands with additional life science clients, not realizing the path it was soon to chart.
2000
new york, neeew yoooork
Bada-bing, bada-boom, the growing company says goodbye to Jersey and heads to the Big Apple.
2002
giving back with worldbeat
The agency’s philanthropic arm is birthed, and endures to this very day.
2004
He’s Got Heart
With a client list now dominated by healthcare brands, the company’s name is changed to better reflect our focus: Heartbeat Digital.
2006
Media Matters
Foreseeing fully integrated capabilities as a more effective and efficient way for clients to work, a media planning & buying practice is established, and AOR ambitions are set.
2009
Mr. Drummy Goes to Washington
Bill schools the FDA on healthcare’s role in social media, sharing bold ideas with risk-averse regulators.
2010
He’s Got Ideas
Heartbeat Digital is rebranded as Heartbeat Ideas to better reflect our big-time AOR status with clients.
2011
Hall of Famer
Named to the DTC Hall of Fame, Bill is honored for his extraordinary achievement in the advancement of DTC marketing.
2012
California, Here We Come
Heartbeat opens its Los Angeles doors, giving West Coast clients the energy of a "New York agency," only with palm trees and better Mexican food.
2013
Guiding the Future With Google
Bill’s provocative POV earns him a spot on the Google Healthcare Advisory Board.
Publicis Hearts Heartbeat
Our leader makes the big decision to join Publicis Health, the largest healthcare agency network in the world.
2015
Rapid Rise
Heartbeat grows more than 50% in a year, a testament to the industry’s hunger for a boundary-pushing agency partner.
2017
Awards Everywhere
Bill receives the prestigious PharmaVOICE Red Jacket Award, which highlights the most inspirational, motivational, and transformative individuals in the life sciences industry, and he’s named an Innovation Catalyst by MM&M.
The Torch Is Passed
Bill moves to Chairman Emeritus status, handing the Heartbeat reins to long-time partners & power pair Nadine Leonard & James Talerico.
2018
Bidding Adieu
After 20 years of agency leadership, Bill officially retires at year’s end, with plans to read, write, take photographs, and have dinner with his family every single night.
