2 Minutes With ... Tess Evans, ACD at VCCP Health London

Tess Evans is associate creative director at VCCP Health London. Her background is in copywriting, with almost 15 years of experience in health advertising and several award-winning campaigns under her belt (a belt which is a bit tighter since having her first baby last year).

We spent two minutes with Tess to learn more about her background, creative inspirations and some recent work she’s admired.

Tess, tell us…

Where you grew up, and where you live now.

London … and London. It’s hard to leave.

How you first got interested in health.

It actually started when I worked on an overactive bladder campaign at my first agency, which gave me a chance to do a lot of writing and create patient videos and other materials, even though I was very junior. To be honest it just seemed like there was a lot of opportunity in health. 

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

One of my favorites was the “Reborn” campaign for Edwards Lifesciences. It shows storks dropping off (adult) people back to the lives they love after heart surgery. It was my first 3D animation film and from script to character design the whole project was so much fun to work on. 

A recent project you’re proud of, and why.

“The Chemo Show” is a film to promote Teva’s Humanizing Health awards, which awards initiatives that help patients in ways that go beyond medicine—like gardens for dementia patients, or people who dress up as superheroes in children’s wards. So it was a lovely project. The concept was a surprise show for chemotherapy patients, to help pass the time and make the hospital environment feel less dreary. We wanted to shoot it for real but Covid made that impossible. But we still managed to get people who really do perform in hospitals involved in the film, which was great.

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

The ever-growing trend for campaigns that make the world better. Cynically speaking, even if it’s only being done to look good it’s still being done, which means creative opportunity and the chance to do meaningful work.

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

I loved “Chillboards” from Coors Light, which are ads placed on rooftops that cool down buildings, helping communities in Miami stay cool through heatwaves and lower utility bills. I think it’s really inspiring and shows what is possible with an advertising campaign.

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

BEEF on Netflix. I just finished it and enjoyed every moment. I’ve not seen anything else like it. 

A visual artist or band/musician you admire.

Martha Reeves, of Martha Reeves and the Vandellas. I’ve seen her live a couple of times over the last few years and she’s blown me away every time. I can’t believe she’s been performing for over 50 years; her energy and voice are still unbelievable.

Your favorite fictional character.

I’m really not sure who to go with on this one … maybe Miss Marple, I love how astute she is about people in an under-the-radar kind of way. And because I fancy myself as an armchair detective too, so a bit of a role model for when I retire.

Someone worth following on social media.

DJ Fat Tony makes me laugh almost every day.

Your main strength as a marketer/creative.

I like to think I keep a sense of humor which makes working more fun and (hopefully) also the output better.

Your biggest weakness.

I have a terrible memory. I may remember something really specific and useless, but names, dates, details, directions … all the important things tend to get a bit lost. I’m not the person you want on your pub quiz team (though I do love a pub quiz). 

One thing that always makes you happy.

Ice cream.

One thing that always makes you sad.

The news.

Something people would find surprising about you.

When I was 18 I had a run in with an organized crime gang in Jaipur.

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

Probably waitressing and sleeping on a pile of unfinished film scripts.