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Charting Uncharted Waters: Jameil 'Jay' Pendleton, The Maverick of MedTech, Aims to Revolutionize the Industry

Updated: Jun 28, 2024


In this Q&A, I have the honor to spotlight Jameil 'Jay' Pendleton, whom I have affectionately titled as the Maverick of MedTech, a title that resonates deeply with his persona and mission. Over nearly three years of connection and following Jay's journey on LinkedIn, his dynamic presence and entrepreneurial spirit have consistently captivated my attention. From our initial encounter on this platform, Jay's trajectory has been one to watch, especially with the launch of MedTech Voice, marking a pivotal moment in his remarkable journey. His recent venture into entrepreneurship captures a unique and thrilling chapter in his life, one that I've been eager to explore through caricature and conversation.


Jay is not just a force to be reckoned with in the MedTech field; he's a fireball of energy, exuding a refreshingly candid demeanor that sets him apart. Known for his transparency and honesty, Jay wears his heart on his sleeve, bringing an authenticity to the industry that's as rare as it is invaluable. His journey, shaped by personal challenges and triumphs, reflects a deep commitment to not just succeeding in his field but also improving the lives of others through innovation and genuine connection.


Drawing from our conversation, it's clear that Jay views MedTech Voice not just as a business endeavor but as a calling. His holistic approach to health, overcoming personal health challenges, and his vision for a community-driven platform in the MedTech space underscores his commitment to making a meaningful impact. Jay's narrative is one of resilience, innovation, and an unwavering belief in the power of today—a philosophy that has guided him through both adversity and success.


As the Maverick of MedTech, Jay's story is a testament to the power of embracing one's authentic self and the transformative potential of pursuing one's passions with conviction. Our conversation, enriched by insights and anecdotes from his journey, offers an intimate glimpse into the mind of a visionary determined to reshape the landscape of medical technology. In this Q&A, we delve into the ethos of MedTech Voice, the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship, and the indelible mark Jay intends to leave on the industry.


What inspired the creation of MedTech Voice (MTV)? 

The inspiration behind MedTech Voice arose from the recognition that it was a necessary development, and I realized that I was the right person to bring it to fruition. This realization came after spending 17 years in the industry, where I initially gained significant experience working for large corporations before entering the med tech sector. During this period, I greatly benefited from the robust marketing and branding efforts of these companies. At one point, I ranked among the top three sales representatives globally, a testament to my competence. However, much of my success can also be attributed to being in the right place at the right time, supported by an excellent marketing framework that bolstered my field relationships.


The shift to a startup exposed me to a starkly different environment, akin to being left vulnerable in the desert, where your name is unknown, and the harsh reality is that there's a general indifference towards your brand. This prompted me to propose leveraging LinkedIn to my CEO at the first startup, drawing on a business proposal I had developed at a leading medical device company under the guidance of a forward-thinking Vice President of Sales, whom I reported to for three months. Unfortunately, after a change in leadership, my new superior lacked an understanding of social media's value and could not comprehend the revenue I generated as Sales Director through LinkedIn content. Consequently, my position was eliminated.


The concept of MedTech Voice began to take shape in 2008 when I started as an associate sales representative at a distributor for a leading medical device company. Over the years, my expertise in the domain has deepened and expanded, strengthening the foundation for what would become MedTech Voice. Therefore, MedTech Voice represents the culmination of my life's work and my purpose on this earth.


How has the role of storytelling impacted your success in MedTech? 

At my core, I am a storyteller, with my skills as a marketer and sales professional coming in second. My approach to communication is rooted in storytelling; whenever I am asked a question, I respond with both a story and an answer. I firmly believe in the power of stories, which connect deeply with the limbic system of the brain, driving emotional responses and decision-making.


My background includes a minor in psychology, though in hindsight, I feel I should have pursued it as a major. My fascination lies in understanding human behavior and the psychological motivations behind our actions. Stories play a pivotal role in this context, serving as the bridge that connects individuals to entities, whether they be brands like Nike with its "Just Do It" slogan, or Under Armour's rallying cry to "Protect This House." These brands exemplify the utmost excellence in branding, with Under Armour, in particular, emerging as a powerhouse by galvanizing a sense of community and determination through a simple video featuring enthusiastic high school athletes. This is a testament to the transformative power of storytelling, crafting a brand from seemingly nothing.


This philosophy of storytelling is what we aim to bring to the MedTech industry. Our approach is hands-on; we immerse ourselves in the environment, capturing stories where they unfold rather than fabricating them within the confines of a studio. This method allows for a more authentic and compelling narrative, fundamentally differentiating our strategy from others.


What are the biggest challenges MedTech companies face in their marketing efforts today? 

They are employing strategies from the 1990s and expecting them to yield results in 2024. Despite having data that could enhance their precision, they fail to leverage 80% of their potential capabilities. Essentially, they operate as though they are metaphorically blindfolded, with both hands tied behind their backs.


They find themselves in a scenario where it's crucial to align their messaging with the needs and expectations of diverse stakeholders such as surgeons, hospitals, payers, and patients. Yet, they fall short of achieving this alignment. What they offer instead is a focus on product features, benefits, and a modicum of educational content.


It's a significant oversight, they fail to grasp the importance of our advice. However, those who do understand and apply our strategies will gain a competitive advantage from 2024 and beyond, into 2030. This marks the dawn of a new era in med tech marketing.


We have established dominance in musculoskeletal media. It's more than just a passion; it's my second language, the essence of my professional life, and a commitment I am determined not to fail at. We are just beginning our journey.


How do you envision MTV evolving to further serve MedTech companies? 

I am motivated by a desire to serve the medical technology sector at large, primarily because it centers around patient care. The real value of MedTech Voice will manifest not just potentially, but inevitably, when we evolve into a dual-sided platform catering to patients, healthcare practitioners, delivery systems, payers, and the industry at large.

Our ambition is to become the go-to platform for comprehensive information, functioning as a new media channel where healthcare professionals share their experiences—why they choose specific tools, the benefits for them and their patients, and the impact on their practice.


By facilitating these connections, we aim to mitigate the risks associated with adopting innovations for new doctors, creating a platform where doctors can share their stories directly with patients who are actively seeking information and education.

Even today, with entities paying for prominence in search engine results, our vision is to establish a platform that presents the best in the field—surgeons and clinicians dedicated to patient welfare. We plan to include features like a zip code finder and surgeon spotlights, highlighting notable institutions synonymous with excellence. This positions MedTech Voice at the forefront of the musculoskeletal industry, with plans to expand across various specialties, though we may not extend into pharmaceuticals due to the distinct regulatory environment and our focus away from less informative content.


Since 2008, my interest has been in transforming the field, driven by the fun and fulfillment the work brings. MedTech Voice is set to become a new platform and channel, including innovative concepts like providing welcome video messages on hotel TVs during niche medical conferences, enhancing the conference experience for attendees.


This approach is a departure from previous models, building the business transparently to inspire others in the medical technology field and establish a sense of community and trust. The positive reception on platforms like LinkedIn and during virtual meetings underscores the effectiveness of building familiarity and trust through consistent, recognizable communication.


In summary, MedTech Voice aims to be an extension of the medical technology industry, bridging connections and enhancing communication through storytelling and a familiar presence, shining a spotlight on excellence and innovation within the field.


You have stated that your 12-month goal is to create the “Yelp” of MedTech. Can you give us a sneak peek into what the “Yelp of MedTech” platform would look like? 

We are developing a platform that will combine elements reminiscent of Reddit, Yelp, and Clubhouse. Our discussions with Remedi and Dr. Sanjay Konakondla in the Philadelphia area, who has a preference for New York, are advancing. His platform operates similarly to Clubhouse but is tailored for the MedTech community, including doctors and industry professionals. We plan to collaborate closely with him, as well as with the FreeFuse medical community, which we believe will revolutionize the current landscape, potentially outpacing existing platforms like ViewMedi.


By March of 2025, we anticipate launching an online platform that will provide invaluable information to all its users. This platform will not only offer educational content but also aim to inspire and guide patients in their search for medical information. Currently, patients seeking advice on topics such as back pain or finding a surgeon encounter predominantly static data. Our goal is to infuse the MedTech Voice (MTV) with a unique blend of education, inspiration, and direct-to-consumer marketing strategies, distinguishing it from the norm.

This approach is particularly relevant as pharmaceutical companies already dominate the space with ubiquitous advertising, a practice permitted only in New Zealand and the United States. Within a year, we aim to significantly impact how medical information is consumed, positioning ourselves at the forefront of musculoskeletal media and MedTech information dissemination.


Our daily interactions with CEOs, founders, investors, industry representatives, distributors, and service providers enrich us with a wealth of data. This information is integrated into the MTV "chat GPT" world, emphasizing the analogy that data, like oil, holds no value unless it is refined and utilized effectively. Our unique value proposition is centered around the concept of "What's In It For Me" (WIIFM), ensuring that MTV consistently aligns with and broadcasts on this frequency, setting us apart as both distinct and innovative.


Unlock Your MedTech Voice: Connect, Participate, and Share Your Story

To engage with MedTech Voice (MTV) and explore the various ways to connect and participate, Jameil ‘Jay’ Pendleton™ offers the following calls to action:

Tell Your Story with MTV: If you're interested in having MTV share your story, please visit medtechvoice.com. There, you will find a dedicated section that guides you through the process of submitting your story for consideration.

Follow Behind-the-Scenes Content: For those looking to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the building of MTV, you can follow Jay and the MTV team at:




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© 2024 by Michael Browers.

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