2 Minutes With … Noel Denis, EVP and GCD of Digitas Health

With 20 years of experience, Noel is currently an executive vice president and group creative director at Digitas Health. Noel has worked with brands such as ViiV to improve the HIV treatment landscape; Remicade, designed to protect freedom of choice for patients with immunological disorders; and the Bundle of EmoJoy App, which helps expectant mothers find new ways to share their birthing adventure with the world.

We spent two minutes with Noel to learn more about his background, his creative inspirations and recent work he’s admired.

Noel, tell us …

Where you grew up, and where you live now. 

I grew up in Jamaica and left after graduating high school, moved to Florida, then New York, and now I’m back in Florida. 

How you first got interested in health. 

My interest in the healthcare space grew from working in PR after being involved in numerous disease education campaigns. I had a chance to work with celebrities, physicians and directly with patients, which really piqued my interest in the space. 

One of your favorite projects you’ve ever worked on. 

“Finely Tuned.” It was a small, underfunded project that ended up being widely celebrated by our agency and the Janssen Senior Leadership. The ask was to create an initiative that would encourage patients to stay on Remicade despite the introduction of biosimilars in that space. We created a video that captured patients’ authentic and visceral reactions to the idea of losing their medication for rheumatoid arthritis. The idea sounds simple, but the magic was in getting the raw responses. 

One thing about how health is evolving that you’re excited about. 

We’ve been at the forefront of investing in AI at Publicis Groupe, at a level that has us positioned to lead innovations in data and communications. From a Digitas Health perspective, we live and breathe “connected health.” Having access to our robust AI framework makes living our mantra that much easier. 

Someone else’s work, in health or beyond, that you admired lately. 

“Song of the Open Road”—the Volvo commercial. IMPECCABLE. 

A book, movie, TV show, or podcast you recently found inspiring. 

TV Show: Jeen-Yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy. Should be in the Smithsonian.

A visual artist or band/musician you admire. 

Alain Silberstein, a Parisian architect turned watchmaker. 

Your favorite fictional character. 

Shake from Aqua Teen Hunger Force. He’s ridiculous. An ample serving of ridiculousness helps to balance out the realities we face daily. 

Someone worth following on social media. 

Debbie Butler on TikTok. She posts videos of her husband Martin. Martin makes me think. He’s not exciting. He’s not funny. There is no dancing. It’s perfect. 

Your main strength as a marketer/creative. 

I know people.

Your biggest weakness. 

I’m human. 

What you’d be doing if you weren’t in health. 

Directing movies.