From Research to Reach: How Sermo, Kudos, and Figshare Expand Your Audience
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Episode Summary
In this episode of the Transforming Medical Communications podcast, host Wesley Portegies is joined by Charlie Rapple, Dave Shoup, and Dan Valen. Together, they discuss how Kudos, Sermo, and Figshare contribute to the digital communications ecosystem of Medical Affairs and how you can integrate these platforms into your Medical Communications strategy.
Guest at a Glance
Charlie Rapple is the Co-Founder and Chief Customer Officer at Kudos, where she specializes in enhancing the discoverability and impact of research content through strategic digital communication. With vast experience in scholarly publishing and research dissemination, Charlie brings valuable insights into how Medical Affairs teams can optimize their content reach and engagement through strategic platform integration.
- Charlie Rapple on LinkedIn
Dave Shoup is the VP of Medical Affairs for Sermo, a platform that turns physician experience, expertise, and observations into actionable insights for the global healthcare community. With deep experience in digital Medical Communications, Dave specializes in helping Medical Affairs teams leverage targeted physician networks for educational content distribution and engagement measurement.
- Dave Shoup on LinkedIn
Dan Valen is the Head of Strategic Development at Figshare, a provider of open research repository infrastructure. His expertise lies in implementing FAIR principles (Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reusability) for research content and developing strategic solutions for pharmaceutical companies to effectively share their research outputs.
- Dan Valen on LinkedIn
Host at a Glance
Wesley Portegies is the CEO and Founder of MedComms Experts, an agency specializing in effective Medical Communication strategies for pharmaceutical companies. An experienced entrepreneur, Wesley started his first company at 19 and has built multiple successful companies. With over 20 years in the Medical Industry, both on the agency and industry side, he is driven by a passion for Medical Communications.
- Connect with Wesley Portegies on LinkedIn
Topics We Discuss
- Maximizing Medical Affairs impact with third-party platforms
- Why “build vs. buy” matters in digital communications
- Choosing the right digital communication platform
- Social media vs. third-party platforms
- What metrics you should measure in Medical Affairs
Hot Takes and Key Highlights
- 01:34 – 09:12 Maximizing Medical Affairs Impact with Third-Party Platforms
Medical Affairs teams produce valuable content. However, reaching the right audience requires more than just great research; it demands strategic dissemination. Gone are the days of relying solely on a single website. Today, third-party platforms provide essential channels to effectively reach an HCP audience. The key is to adopt a purposeful approach: understanding where your audience is, tailoring content for different platforms, and adopting a true digital omnichannel approach.
- 09:13 – 18:28 Why “Build vs. Buy” Matters in Medical Communications
Simply publishing content isn’t enough; it needs to be discoverable and reach the right audience. While some organizations debate whether to build their own solutions or leverage third-party platforms, the reality is that established platforms already have access to HCP communities, understand compliance, and streamline content dissemination. Instead of reinventing the wheel, companies can focus on creating high-quality content while leveraging Third-Party Platforms platforms to ensure visibility, engagement, and credibility.
- 18:30 – 26:22 Choosing the Right Digital Communication Platform
Selecting the right TTP for digital communication in Medical Affairs comes down to understanding your audience, the type of content you’re sharing, and the level of engagement required. Platforms like Kudos, Sermo, and Figshare each serve different purposes: Kudos strategically integrates and measures communication across multiple channels, Sermo fosters trusted peer-to-peer discussions among physicians, and Figshare enhances content discoverability and tracking. The key is to leverage the strengths of each platform rather than relying on just one.
- 41:30 – 01:03:30 Social Media vs. Third-Party Platforms
Medical professionals don’t have time today to filter through the noise of mainstream social media. Third-party platforms provide a curated, trusted space where peer-to-peer discussions thrive, ensuring accuracy and credibility. While social media can expand reach, it often lacks the depth and engagement needed for meaningful professional discourse. Instead of waiting for professionals to search for critical medical updates, deliver content directly where they already engage.
- 01:03:30 – 01:10:56 Measuring True Impact in Medical Affairs
Metrics in Medical Affairs go beyond traditional engagement numbers like impressions and clicks. The real value lies in understanding how communication efforts influence physical perceptions, treatment decisions, and collaboration. By tracking not just what content is seen, but how it sparks discussion and changes clinical approaches, Medical Affairs teams can showcase their impact more effectively. Leveraging diverse digital analytics sources helps teams refine strategies, optimize messaging, and ensure their educational content drives meaningful change.