Transforming Wellness: Eric Weisberg’s Vision for the Future of Health Trends

Eric Weisman has always had a creative spark, but he struggled to define it as a career. He explored different creative paths like painting, photography, and writing, but school wasn’t his strong suit. Dyslexia made traditional learning challenging for him.

Things changed during his sophomore year at Syracuse University. There, he met mentors Larry Vine and Stu Hyatt, who were experienced copywriters. Their influence pushed him to think about a career in advertising.

Weisman’s first big break came after a stint in Cleveland when he joined the esteemed Leo Burnett firm in Chicago. He came up with a pitch for Reebok, a brand locked in a fierce rivalry with Nike. To his delight, they loved his idea. At that time, Reebok was a major player in sports marketing, featuring stars like Shawn Kemp.

“We created this ambitious commercial that took months to produce,” he recalls. “It was probably quite over the top, but it received several awards nominations. I thought this kind of success would be the norm.”

After his time at Leo Burnett, Weisman returned to New York, working for major agencies like Saatchi & Saatchi and JWT. He even left advertising briefly to work at K2, a digital experience company, sensing the media landscape was changing. “Digital and advertising needed to merge,” he says, and so he returned to JWT to lead an integrated group combining both worlds.

Among various projects, Weisman feels a deep connection to Tylenol’s work. “It’s a brand that remains with you throughout life,” he explains. In 2015, as the conversation around family dynamics began to evolve, Tylenol wanted to join that dialogue. They launched “How We Family” to reflect support for diverse family structures, highlighting a significant shift in health marketing.

Four years ago, Weisman joined Havas Health as the global chief creative officer. At that time, creativity in the health sector was beginning to flourish, spurred in part by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Everything changed quickly. It pushed health to the forefront of branding,” he notes.

“Today, every brand should consider itself a health brand,” he argues. He points to giants like Apple, Amazon, and Google as examples of companies prioritizing health in their missions. Tim Cook of Apple once remarked, “Our biggest societal contribution will be in health,” which reinforces Weisman’s belief.

Advertising that empowers those with disabilities, like Apple’s “Relay” and “Heartstrings,” illustrates how brands can make a positive impact. Havas Health’s recent work with My Doctor’s Recipe also garnered accolades, showcasing innovation in health marketing.

Weisman’s leadership style is rooted in compassion. He says, “I prioritize people, believing good work will follow.” His Midwest upbringing instilled values of purpose and community. “I aim for work that matters beyond the moment.”

He argues that creativity thrives in challenging circumstances. “Complacency breeds mediocrity,” Weisman states. “True growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone.”

He describes himself as a “big nerd,” especially about technology. He is optimistic about AI but cautions against relying on it completely. “If we don’t balance innovation with human creativity, we’ll end up with bland content,” he warns.

Weisman believes the advertising industry stands at a crucial turning point. Recent advancements in AI could change the profession, but he maintains that creativity will adapt, not vanish. “The future creatives will harness these technological tools to generate fresh ideas,” he concludes.

As Weisman prepares for his role as Jury President at the prestigious Cannes Lions, he reflects on the potential of health-driven advertising to reshape lives and communities. It’s clear he is not just navigating the changes in advertising; he is helping to shape them.

For more insights into health marketing trends, you can check resources like Health Affairs or the World Health Organization.

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