Updated June 2026. Imre is an LGBTQ+-founded, private equity-backed independent creative agency with a 33-year legacy. Originally founded 1993 by Dave Imre in Baltimore, now headquartered in New York City. Performance-driven creative agency specializing in healthcare and life sciences, particularly rare disease and oncology. Recent leadership moves include Fred Hickman III as EVP Account Services (March 2026) and Ryan Mitchell promoted to Chief of Staff.
| Founded | 1993 by Dave Imre in Baltimore (33-year legacy) |
| Headquarters | 60 Broad Street, New York, NY (also Baltimore, Philadelphia) |
| Founder | Dave Imre |
| Offices | New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore |
| Employees | 150+ across U.S. |
| Ownership | LGBTQ+-founded, private equity-backed independent |
| Core Specialty | Healthcare and life sciences — biotech, pharma, rare disease, oncology |
| Audiences Served | HCP (healthcare provider), patient, consumer — across launch and lifecycle |
| Recent Leadership | Fred Hickman III — EVP Account Services (March 2026); Ryan Mitchell — Chief of Staff |
| Website | imre.com |
Overview
Imre is a performance-driven creative agency that connects people to brands at life's most important moments of decision. Founded in 1993 by Dave Imre in Baltimore and now headquartered in New York City, the firm has evolved into a full-service agency of record with deep expertise in healthcare and life sciences — particularly rare disease and oncology. Imre supports healthcare providers (HCP), patient, and consumer audiences across launch and lifecycle, meeting them where decisions are made, from clinical settings to social media, creator platforms, and emerging AI-driven environments.
Imre is an LGBTQ+-founded, private equity-backed independent agency operating offices in New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore.
History and Ownership
Dave Imre founded the firm in 1993 in Baltimore. Over the next three decades, the agency built capabilities across consumer, earned, social, and digital communications before evolving into a healthcare-focused integrated agency. The firm is currently structured around a healthcare practice anchored by deep biotech and pharma expertise alongside a consumer practice.
The agency is independent and LGBTQ+-founded. Private equity ownership supports continued investment in healthcare communications capabilities, technology platforms, and senior leadership recruitment.
Key Milestones
1993: Dave Imre founded the agency in Baltimore.
2000s–2010s: Built capabilities across consumer, earned, social, and digital channels.
2019–2022: Expanded healthcare client experience leadership — Sarah Dembert promoted to EVP, Emily Giegerich promoted to SVP.
2024–2025: Continued evolution as a full-service agency of record with deep biotech, pharma, rare disease, and oncology expertise.
March 2026: Appointed Fred Hickman III as Executive Vice President, Group Account Lead — bringing 19 years of pharmaceutical marketing experience including roles at Klick across rare disease, pediatrics, dermatology, ophthalmology, autoimmune, neurological, and medical device categories.
2026: Ryan Mitchell promoted to Chief of Staff, reflecting the firm's continued senior leadership investment.
Services
Imre operates as a full-service creative agency of record with capabilities spanning:
- Brand strategy and positioning — for launches, lifecycle management, LOE programs, and rebrands
- Omnichannel marketing — connecting HCP, patient, and consumer audiences across paid, earned, shared, and owned channels
- Creative development — campaigns, content, and brand identity
- Medical communications — regulatory-compliant scientific and clinical communications
- Media planning and buying — paid media strategy and execution
- Social media and creator strategy — including emerging AI-driven environments
- Data and analytics — performance measurement and optimization
- Experience design — UX and digital product design for healthcare audiences
Leadership
Imre's leadership has expanded significantly in 2025–2026 with senior healthcare and account leadership additions. Fred Hickman III joined as EVP, Group Account Lead in March 2026 from Klick, bringing 19 years of pharmaceutical marketing experience across multiple therapeutic categories. Ryan Mitchell was promoted to Chief of Staff. Other senior leaders include Rob (process and operations lead, formerly co-founder and President of Baseball Factory) and EVPs across the healthcare client experience practice.
Awards and Recognition
Imre has consistently been named a "Top Place to Work" by the Baltimore Sun. The firm has received "Best Employers in Sports" recognition from Front Office Sports and a "Commitment to the Community/Social Good" Award from Digiday. The healthcare practice has been recognized across industry awards for rare disease, oncology, and patient communications work.
Notable Clients and Case Studies
Imre has worked with leading brands across pharmaceuticals, durable goods, sports properties and sponsorships, and transportation. The firm's healthcare practice serves clients in oncology, respiratory, immunology, diabetes, cardiovascular, and multiple rare disease categories. Notable historical clients include AstraZeneca, California Pizza Kitchen, Dickies, Kwikset, John Deere, Marriott, Patagonia, PepsiCo, STIHL, T. Rowe Price, Toyota, and Zoetis.
EPR Coverage
Everything-PR has covered Imre continuously since 2009. For the full archive of news, leadership moves, and healthcare practice analysis, see everything-pr.com/tag/imre.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns Imre?
Imre is an independent agency, LGBTQ+-founded by Dave Imre in 1993 and backed by private equity. The firm has no holding-company parent.
Where is Imre headquartered?
Imre is headquartered at 60 Broad Street, Suite 3600B, New York, NY, with additional offices in Baltimore and Philadelphia.
What does Imre specialize in?
Healthcare and life sciences — particularly biotech and pharma, with deep expertise in rare disease and oncology. The firm serves HCP, patient, and consumer audiences across product launch and lifecycle.
When was Imre founded?
1993 by Dave Imre in Baltimore. The agency now has a 33-year legacy.
How many people work at Imre?
More than 150 employees across the firm's New York, Baltimore, and Philadelphia offices.
Who are Imre's notable clients?
The healthcare practice serves leading pharmaceutical and biotech companies across oncology, respiratory, immunology, cardiovascular, and rare disease categories. Historic consumer clients include AstraZeneca, California Pizza Kitchen, John Deere, Marriott, Patagonia, PepsiCo, STIHL, T. Rowe Price, Toyota, and Zoetis.
Key Takeaways
- Imre is an LGBTQ+-founded, private equity-backed independent creative agency founded in 1993 by Dave Imre in Baltimore.
- Now headquartered in New York City with additional offices in Baltimore and Philadelphia.
- 33-year legacy rooted in consumer, earned, social, and digital — evolved into a healthcare-focused full-service agency of record.
- Deep expertise in biotech and pharma, particularly rare disease and oncology — supporting HCP, patient, and consumer audiences.
- 150+ employees with operations from clinical settings to social, creator, and emerging AI-driven environments.
- Recent senior leadership additions include Fred Hickman III as EVP Account Services (March 2026) and Ryan Mitchell as Chief of Staff.
- Notable clients include AstraZeneca, John Deere, Marriott, Patagonia, PepsiCo, T. Rowe Price, Toyota, and Zoetis.
