Razorfish Health Announces Strategic Leadership Appointments
Trailblazing leaders Marcus Kawamura and John Besemer, PhD, Join Executive Team to Propel Agency's Growth
September 4, 2025 – Razorfish Health (RFH)—a full-service agency built for the modern age of medicine, and a Publicis Health company—today announced 2 new additions to their executive leadership. Marcus Kawamura joins as Chief Creative Officer and John Besemer, PhD, will be returning to RFH to helm the medical team as Chief Medical Officer.
These strategic appointments elevate RFH's power in fusing science, data, and creativity.
Marcus Kawamura, who held roles at renowned creative agencies such as Area 23, Crispin Porter + Bogusky, Leo, and AlmapBBDO in Brazil, will bring an unexpected creative vision to RFH that merges cultural insights with pharmaceutical brand solutions. He is an agency leader, designer, and entrepreneur with a deep award shelf and a portfolio of iconic global brands, including Boehringer Ingelheim, Burger King, and INFINITI. With a foundation in design thinking and visual storytelling, “Kawa” translates brand strategy into visually compelling narratives, high-impact marketing campaigns, and bold creative activations. His approach ensures that creativity doesn’t just inspire—it delivers real results.
John Besemer, PhD, rejoining RFH as Chief Medical Officer, brings a wealth of experience in medical strategy and communications, pharmaceutical advertising, medical education, and publications planning. Besemer holds a PhD in bioinformatics and an MS in biomedical engineering from Georgia Tech. Besemer's profound understanding of science and his innovative approach in applying machine learning to biomedical research will amplify RFH's mission to merge data-driven insights with medical strategies. His leadership will also empower RFH to integrate cutting-edge AI tools, ensuring impactful and dependable outcomes for clients.
Kara Dugan, President of RFH, expressed her excitement for the new leadership roles: "This is a pivotal moment for Razorfish Health as we redefine the modern healthcare agency. Marcus’ design thinking approach and John’s expertise in science and machine learning will drive novel solutions essential for connecting healthcare providers and patients for better outcomes. Kawa and John are the epitome of the marriage of art and science.”
These appointments signal RFH’s commitment to continuously evolving talent in response to marketplace shifts and clients’ changing needs.
Both Kawamura and Besemer are based in the New York City area and will report directly to Kara Dugan.
About Razorfish Health
Fueling the Practice of Modern Medicine
Razorfish Health is a full-service agency built for the modern age of medicine. Our driving purpose is to help healthcare providers and patients make better connections for better outcomes. We do so with a foundation that is simple and strong. Deep science. Data-driven strategy. Creative storytelling. All to move customers to make the best decisions. Together, we can shape how medicine is practiced today, for a better and healthier tomorrow. For more information, visit us at razorfishhealth.com
About Publicis Health
At Publicis Health, we believe keeping the world healthy is our most extraordinary social endeavor. Because one person’s wellbeing is the responsibility of the many. As part of Publicis Groupe and built on the world’s foremost intelligence platform, we create sharper, more memorable, and valuable brands for better outcomes. Powered by more than 8,000 healthcare communications, data, and medical specialists, our global agency collective is at the heart of international health communications. We Make Health Happen. For more information, visit us at www.publicishealth.com.