Hal Mackins

Senior Partner

Hal Mackins is a communications professional with nearly ten years of corporate communications experience in life science and higher education settings. A senior partner with Torch, Hal leads the firm’s media relations group and manages its east coast operations from Boston. Prior to co-founding Torch, Hal spent six years with Ogilvy Public Relations’ healthcare subsidiary, where he implemented successful communications programs for life science and health IT clients from its San Francisco and Cambridge offices.

Hal’s expertise is rooted in the development of creative and effective communications programs that directly impact his clients’ business objectives. He has particular interest and experience in the practice of business and scientific media relations, and has helped a wide variety of innovators use media channels to communicate the importance of their work to diverse audiences.

During his career, Hal has worked with a wide variety of life science clients, from emerging research-focused companies to fully-integrated commercial organizations. He has particular experience in the arenas of oncology, metabolic disease, and molecular medicine.

Hal’s work has been recognized both internally and externally. His accolades include the Public Relations Society of America’s Bronze Anvil merit award, which he received for media relations strategy and execution in support of a publicly traded biotechnology client’s navigation of the economic turbulence of late 2008.

Hal began his communications career at Boston College’s Office of Public Affairs, where he assisted with numerous public relations functions for the university, including media outreach, crisis communications, and event planning. He received a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Philosophy from Boston College, as well.