The ground is shifting underneath the pharmaceuticals industry.

Companies that have enjoyed decades of a smooth ride need to shift their stance to stay upright and brace themselves for change.

Faced with expiring patents on blockbuster drugs, more competition from generics and a lull in the pace of scientific discoveries that can produce a new generation of lucrative wonder drugs, pharma is seeing cracks emerge in its very foundation.

As hard as it may be to accept the new, more-muted reality, pharma must develop a new game plan to protect, shore up and maybe even shake up its business model.

Meet the Expert

Donald Holdsworth

Consultant Donald Holdsworth
Managing Director, Matchpower Consulting
Sydney, Australia
  • English

Skills and Expertise: What's this?

About Donald

  • Experienced marketing line manager, management consultant with four decades experience esp. new product & market development.
  • McKinsey senior advisor and partner, serving clients in retailing, consumer goods manufacturing, financial services.
  • Business development and worldwide marketing for PricewaterhouseCoopers, Merck, PepsiCo.

Experience

Lecturer and Tutor • University of Technology, Sydney
Feb, 2010 — Present
  • Teaching in the Graduate School of Business in a variety of marketing subjects, including new product management and strategic marketing, to MBA candidates.
  • Most recent experience includes teaching in the Executive MBA program. 
Senior Adviser, Partner • McKinsey & Co.
Nov, 1982 — Dec, 2009
  • Senior Advisor (2007-09): Among a small group of experienced industry executives recruited by the firm to provide outside perspective and expertise to the practice.
  • Partner (1982-1990): Shared management responsibility for developing new clients and managing the practice. Served clients in the retailing, consumer goods manufacturing an financial services sectors.
Founder and Managing Director • Matchpower Consulting
Jan, 1999 — Jul, 2007
  • Provided consulting services in Australia, U.S., New Zealand, UK.
  • Helped establish and operate an internet B2B incubator in San Diego which funded and launched four new start-ups in first six months – all of which became cash-positive within nine months.
Executive Director, Business and Corporate Development • PricewaterhouseCoopers - Sydney
Jan, 2004 — Jun, 2006
  • Managed staff of 85+, $20M cost center providing business development advice to 400 partners. 
Senior VP Worldwide Marketing • Merck & Co.
Oct, 1995 — Dec, 1998
  • Launched five major new products in four entirely new product categories, achieving sales of $3B. Managed a staff of 300+ and a $150M cost center. 
VP Sales & Marketing, PepsiCola International • PepsiCo
Dec, 1991 — Apr, 1995
  • Line responsibility for creating and launching a new business unit within PepsiCo. 
  • Previously, as VP for international sales and marketing, developed Pepsi Max, the first and most successful non-U.S.-originated brand, launched into 20 markets and accounting for 15-20 percent of brand sales within a year.
  • Also, developed and launched first Pepsi bottled water brands. Produced advertising pool for all non-US markets. Managed major music marketing sponsorship.
Marketing Director, New Products Director, Brand Manager • S C Johnson & Son - Canada, Australia
1977 — Nov, 1982
Assistant Brand Manager • Procter & Gamble - Canada
1975 — 1977

Education

Cambridge University
MA, Engineering, 1975

Academic Honors

with Honours

Academic Awards

Awarded an Exhibition
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