(hint: we partner with agencies, not compete against them)
At RubyDuke, we’re passionate about words, strategy, medical science, and storytelling. But you won’t find us calling ourselves a “medical writing agency.” We prefer “collective”.
Why? Because we won’t compete with agencies – but we will collaborate with them.
In this blog post, we’ll share why the distinction matters to us, how it enhances our work, and what it means for our agency partners like you.
What’s in a name? Why ‘agency’ doesn’t reflect what we do
Whenever someone refers to RubyDuke as a medical writing agency, it sparks a little internal twitch. Not because the title isn’t flattering, but because it doesn’t tell the full story.
At RubyDuke, we don’t position ourselves as competitors, but as creative partners. We slot into agency workflows seamlessly, offering the writing, strategic counsel, facilitation, and coaching that can elevate your project from good to exceptional.
Collaboration over competition: wearing your company name
We’ve been in-house – we’ve seen the challenges of working with external support.
Can they deliver?
Can we rely on them?
Can we trust a freelancer with our biggest and trickiest client?!
Yet many of our clients do.
We collaborate with our agency clients on their key accounts to produce quality work. With our dedicated support, we’re on hand to deliver, and ultimately grow the business organically. Because our core identity is built around enhancing breadth and depth for agency teams.
We’re certainly not in the market to steal your Pharma clients.
Whether we’re helping shape tone of voice, planning and producing publications, or co-creating compelling pitches, our direct clients are agencies themselves. So, by saying “we’re a collective,” we clarify that our role is supportive and super collaborative. We’re there to amplify what’s already strong. We’re not there to try and replace it.
For many of our agency clients, we’re externally facing. Flying their flag and wearing their company name. We call this white-labelling – representing their company, on their behalf, providing a knowledgeable and trustworthy face to Pharma.
What we look like in practice (just the tip of the iceberg!)
- Brand communications & patient comms
We can help make sure your scientific messages get heard – while being regulatory-code compliant. And with a special interest in the data behind marketing, we know how – and why – messages resonate - Medical communications & publications
Whether it’s scientific rigour or brand storytelling, our writers plug in to translate complex content into meaningful communications that audiences value. - Strategic workshops & pitch support
Need narrative magic for a pitch? We bring the storytelling charm, conceptual firepower, and seasoned facilitation that syncs with agency creative and client needs. - Training & facilitation
From ABPI guidance to tone-of-voice workshops, our training fits agency teams like a glove by bolstering skills, not rerouting them.
And don’t forget the RubyDuke Foundation: a day a month of pro-bono support we offer to charities looking for help with their communications.
The safari wardens are watching: this is a no-poach zone
We preserve our agency partnerships by not labelling ourselves strictly as a medical writing agency. We don’t want agencies clients wondering if they’re going to someone who is planning to poach the work.
In our case, the safari wardens are watching! Working with RubyDuke is a no-poach zone.
Through our creative and scientific collaborations, we help enhance agency offerings.
The benefits of partnering with RubyDuke
Flexible integration
We scale up or down based on agency bandwidth and need.
Deep expertise
From clinical facts to storytelling flair, our team’s diverse background and collaborative knowledge sharing (we sometimes call our HIVEMIND) offers a blend of rigour and creativity.
Prettier pitches & publications
With our strategic thinking and narrative polish, we help agency outputs to become more compelling.
Strengthened team capabilities
Through coaching and training, we help agencies perform better, long after our work is done.
Working for agencies, not against them
So yes, calling us a medical writing agency is flattering, but it misses the heart of what we do.
At RubyDuke, we’re your creative collaborators, strategic partners, and storytelling allies. We’re your collective.
We work for agencies to enhance what already works, crafting narratives and supporting teams so they shine brighter.
Curious to discover how RubyDuke can support your next project or elevate your team’s storytelling and strategic impact? Find out more by getting in touch.
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