March 2025 | Episode Title: The Thought Leader Liaison Playbook – QB Lessons
In this episode of 81qd Tools of Engagement: The Science and Strategy of Stakeholder Engagement, host Susan Abedi explores the evolving role of Thought Leader Liaisons (TLLs) in the pharmaceutical and biotech landscape. In February 2025, we sat down with Suzy Velazquez and Michael Bokor to discuss how TLLs act as the quarterbacks of stakeholder engagement, strategically aligning internal and external efforts to build meaningful relationships with key opinion leaders (KOLs).
Noted by 81qd as a trend to watch in 2025, the growing and evolving role of TLLs is an area of significant focus within the biopharma industry. Today, companies across various sizes and disease areas are investing heavily in rapidly expanding these TLL teams. Why? Field sales team access is low, Medical Affairs engagement has limitations, and competition for HCP mind space is at an all-time high. Additionally, as healthcare decision-making becomes more multidisciplinary, organizations are expanding the TLL function to include market access influencers, digital leaders, and community-based leaders, alongside traditional KOLs. Today’s Thought Leader Liaisons may have tasks such as insights, content development, sentiment assessment, peer-to-peer strategy, and much more within their remits, with corresponding performance metrics.
Key Takeaways:
- TLLs as Strategic Connectors: Acting as the bridge between internal teams and external thought leaders, TLLs ensure consistent, insightful engagement that supports brand strategy.
- The Evolution of Thought Leader Engagement: Expanding beyond traditional KOL relationships, TLLs now engage with a broader set of decision-makers, including those in market access and patient advocacy.
- Assessing Impact: TLLs are being encouraged to go beyond activity metrics, leveraging qualitative insights and sentiment analysis to demonstrate value and inform strategic decision-making.
- The Future of TLLs: The rise of predictive analytics, AI-driven KOL mapping, and real-world data integration is reshaping the way organizations identify, engage, and collaborate with KOLs.
Watch the Full Episode
Purpose-Built Data Analytics Tools
Acuity
Acuity programmatically mines data related to digital online behavior, conference speaking engagements, healthcare congresses, professional association leadership positions, guideline development committee involvement, publications and editorial responsibilities with select journals.
Plexus
Plexus delivers precise HCP targeting and clinical network mapping, leveraging big data and AI for in-depth analyses and strategic decision-making in diverse therapeutic areas and rare diseases.
Deepen Your Insights
Explore our resources to learn how AI, real-world data, and HCP network mapping can accelerate diagnosis, optimize market access, and enhance patient advocacy partnerships.
- Regional Thought Leader Engagement & Predictive Analytics in Pharmaceutical Industry
- Leveraging Network Mapping and Sentiment Analysis to Establish Leadership in a New Area
Talk to an Expert
To discover how 81qd’s expertise can support your initiatives in the rare disease space, request a demo or reach out to our team.