Chris Loder is Senior Director of Worldwide Communications and Head of U.S. Media Relations for Pfizer Inc. In this capacity, Loder oversees top-tier U.S. print and broadcast media involving Pfizer legal issues, primary and specialty medicines, and manufacturing. He serves as one of the company’s spokespeople with the media on these and other issues, including litigation, sales and marketing practices, pricing, policy and Pfizer’s efforts to reduce the spread of counterfeit medicines. Working closely with colleagues, Loder is also responsible for developing proactive executive visibility programs with the media and senior Pfizer executives.

Prior to joining Pfizer in 2007, Loder served as Director of Media Relations for Merck & Co., Inc. in Whitehouse Station, N.J., where he was responsible for strategic media relations activities. Loder was as one of the designated press spokespeople on Merck’s voluntary withdrawal of Vioxx from the market in 2004 and played an active role handling print and broadcast media on the day of the announcement. He also secured top-tier media coverage at major medical meetings and highlighting Merck’s efforts to increase access to its medicines throughout the world.

Loder also worked as Executive Vice President and Director of Media Relations for Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide and as an Account Supervisor with The MWW Group.

Prior to entering public relations, Loder spent 12 years as a daily newspaper reporter, the last nine (1990-99) at The Star-Ledger of Newark, N.J. He covered local and state politics, crime, civil and criminal courts, and education for The Star-Ledger, where he also was a deputy bureau chief.

Loder is a graduate of The Pennsylvania State University with a B.A. in journalism and a minor in political science. He lives in Westfield, N.J., with his wife and three children.