NORTHBROOK, Ill., July 31, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Astellas has appointed Moyra Knight as the head of corporate and employee communications in the Americas region. Knight will report directly to Jeff Winton, senior vice president, chief communications officer. In this role, Knight will be responsible for developing and leading corporate brand initiatives and reputation management to achieve Astellas' strategic business goals across North and South America. She will also lead corporate social responsibility, executive communications, employee and digital communication and corporate media relations. 

"I am thrilled to add someone with Moyra's reputation and proven track record to the new and growing communications team at Astellas," said Winton. "Moyra's breadth of experience along with her approach to leadership will help accelerate Astellas' brand awareness."

Knight's appointment is the latest phase in the building of the new Corporate Communications team that was launched at Astellas in late 2013 with the appointment of Jeff Winton. Winton came to Astellas from Eli Lilly and Company where he was the Vice President/Head, Global Communications and member of Global Corporate Affairs Leadership Team.

Knight has more than 20 years of communications experience in both the health care and consumer industries. Most recently, she worked at Baxter International Inc. where she held various senior positions within corporate communications. Prior to that, Knight worked at Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide and Kraft Foods, Inc. where she led various teams focused on consumer marketing, communications, and public affairs. Knight received her undergraduate degree in journalism from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

About Astellas
Astellas is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to improving the health of people around the world through the provision of innovative and reliable pharmaceutical products. For more information on Astellas, please visit our website at www.astellas.us. You can also follow us on Twitter at @AstellasUS.

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SOURCE Astellas