Lee Maniscalco and Ed Wise will be honored by the organization at their annual awards dinner, set for February 12, 2026, in New York City
October 21, 2025 — The Medical Advertising Hall of Fame (The Hall) has announced its 2026 inductees: Lee Maniscalco, former Chairman & CEO, Haymarket Media, Inc., and Ed Wise, former CEO, Omnicom Health Group.
Lee Maniscalco’s 40-year career in medical publishing has been defined by transformation, innovation, and collaboration. Beginning at Thomson Medical Economics in 1984, he rose through the ranks from systems analyst to Executive Vice President, where he modernized the company’s operations and expanded its reach across key healthcare audiences. In 2001, Lee joined Haymarket Media, where his entrepreneurial leadership turned a small U.S. outpost into a thriving media and information powerhouse with 30 brands and over 450 employees.
As Chairman and CEO (2010–2025), he led Haymarket’s transformation from a print-based publisher to a digital, data-driven enterprise reaching more than two million healthcare professionals. He launched award-winning initiatives such as MM+M and the MM+M Awards, myCME, PRI Healthcare Solutions, and Haymarket Medical Education—integrating editorial excellence with marketing innovation to improve patient care.
A champion of diversity, equity, inclusion, and corporate social responsibility, Lee fostered a workplace culture rooted in creativity, collaboration, and community giving. Known for mentoring future industry leaders, he built bridges between publishers, advertisers, and pharma partners. Now serving as Executive Advisor and Board Member of Haymarket Media, Inc., Lee leaves a legacy of visionary leadership and a transformed industry that continues to educate, inspire, and connect.
Ed Wise began his career at Klemtner Advertising before joining Cline, Davis & Mann (CDM) as its first copywriter and seventh employee. There, he helped redefine medical advertising—most famously through the groundbreaking Viagra “Courage” campaign featuring Bob Dole, which transformed perceptions of men’s health and showed the power of creativity to change lives.
Rising to CEO of CDM and later founding Omnicom Health Group, Ed built the largest global healthcare communications network, encompassing 18 agencies and more than 4,500 employees. Known as “The Talent Collector,” he fostered a collaborative culture that empowered leaders and championed creativity, earning recognition as Healthcare Network of the Year.
Ed’s impact extended beyond business: he created Pharmapalooza, a music-driven fundraiser for children’s health, served on the American Heart Association’s board, and taught leadership and communication at Bucknell and Wharton. His bestselling book The Total Pitch distilled his wisdom on persuasion and leadership.
Today, as an executive coach and mentor, Ed continues guiding others to lead with empathy, vision, and authenticity—cementing his legacy as the embodiment of “A Life Well Led.”
About the Medical Advertising Hall of Fame: The MAHF was founded in 1996 to preserve the history and heritage of the medical advertising profession and recognize the industry’s most influential and respected forebears. Since then, MAHF has expanded its mission to include recognition of past excellence in creative work, creation of educational resources.
The inductees will be honored on February 12, 2026, at a black-tie dinner at The Pierre in New York City. Seats and tables may be reserved at www.mahf.com/AwardsDinner. For information about advertising opportunities in the Awards Dinner program or other MAHF programming, please contact MAHF Executive Director Anne Gideon at anne@mahf.com.