2 Minutes With … Tony Miller, CD at Dentsu Health

Tony has three decades of advertising and communications experience. For the past 15 years, he has worked in the healthcare space as a creative director at both Dentsu Health and, earlier, at DDB. He has created campaigns for Mercedes Benz, Volvo, Sun Life, Dell and Toshiba, among others. His pro-bono work includes Greenpeace, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and Doctors for Protection from Guns. 

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

Tony, tell us …

Where you grew up, and where you live now.

I grew up in Toronto and still live here. But along the way, I spent time in Montreal (too young to remember) and Ottawa, where I learned to speak French and ski.

How you first got interested in health.

Early in my career, I worked at a consumer agency that had a partnership with a health shop. The creative department worked double duty. Later, I was hired as an ECD at an agency that focused on healthcare—and I’ve been in the health space ever since.

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

One stands out for its simplicity and humor. It tackles a sensitive topic: Should the man get a vasectomy or the woman get her tubes tied? We called it “The Standoff.” It’s unbranded, and drove viewers to a website for information about a non-surgical option.

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

I love that healthcare advertising is now perceived as vitally important. This wasn’t always the case, as those of us who’ve been in the trenches know. It’s not that health has evolved—the rest of the ad world has. Talented creatives, strategists and account people are looking at health as a career path. That’s going to translate into better work—and better outcomes.

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

This powerful piece of work from Norwich City FC:

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

A favorite is History Hit, a U.K. podcast run by Dan Snow. 

A visual artist or band/musician you admire.

I’m a campfire guitar player, so I gravitate to artists and bands whose work I can muddle through. That means Bob Dylan, Gordon Lightfoot, James Taylor, Johnny Cash and Bruce Springsteen. 

Your favorite fictional character.

We just started watching Jack Reacher. Such a good show and a great character who doesn’t take himself too seriously.

Someone worth following on social media.

I’m a U.S. politics junkie and love Rick Wilson. He’s actually an ad guy and an excellent writer. His Twitter/X/Threads/Podcast game is elite level.

Your main strength as a marketer/creative.

Bill Bernbach used to keep a piece of paper in his pocket that said: “They might be right.” So I listen to what people—colleagues and clients alike—have to say, and THEN I weigh in. 

Your biggest weakness.

Chocolate.

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

I’d still be in advertising but working and writing on the consumer side. I’m not a novelist. What’s the saying? “Everyone has a novel in them. And for most people, that’s where it should stay!”