2 Minutes With … Letty Albarran, EVP and ECD at Jacques

Letty’s therapeutic areas of focus include benign hematology, oncology, women’s health, infectious diseases and neuropsychiatry. She has managed teams of 20+ creatives and is committed to cultivating a culture of diversity and inclusion.

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

Letty, tell us …

Where you grew up, and where you live now.

I was born in Mexico City but grew up in Northeast Ohio. I currently live on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, between Lincoln Center and Central Park.

How you first got interested in health.

In college, I did several internships in hospital settings, shadowing doctors on rounds, assisting child-life specialists and holding babies in NICUs. I loved being a small part of a hospital community and knew that I would do something in medicine. When I discovered that medical copywriting was a career, it seemed like the perfect fit.

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

Working on the launch of a sickle cell disease brand provided an opportunity to rethink our approach to almost everything. Co-creation with the community ensured that initiatives were culturally relevant, forged deep connections, expanded provider thinking and addressed the issue of health equity. Through unbranded work, we provided platforms that allowed the community to share their challenges and victories. In a unified patient/HCP branded campaign, we celebrated the warrior spirit. Patients saw themselves reflected in the imagery and HCPs were inspired to think differently.

A recent project you’re proud of.

Agencies across the Havas network came together to seed awareness in a tactile, enduring way. We partnered with a company that specializes in seed-embedded cards, creating a set that showcased people living with rare diseases. We made them available online. A donation to Global Genes was made with each purchase. 

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

Patients are taking more active roles in their health, setting the agenda for what matters to them and their families. This expands opportunities to include patients in conversations through media and experiences that resonate. 

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

“The Last Photo,” a poignant campaign that raised awareness about mental health.

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

The Future of Story Telling (FoST) podcast is always inspiring. Each episode illuminates how experiential/immersive storytelling can deepen connection between consumer and brand.

A visual artist or band/musician you admire. 

The artist Hieronymus Bosch. Beyond his audacious style, Bosch’s ability to tell story after story through visual imagery is impressive.

Your favorite fictional character.

Socially awkward, complicated Eleanor, the title character in Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, who fights so hard for her mental wellness every day. 

Someone worth following on social media.

Jace Yawnick, on Instagram, is sharing his fight against cancer, from the time he was diagnosed through multiple rounds of chemo. His story, raw and authentic, has created a place where others in the same battle can connect and not feel alone.

Your main strength as a marketer/creative.

I try to never forget how much is at stake for people who interact with healthcare brands. When we communicate about medicines—to HCPs or patients—it’s so important to be disruptive in conveying the human significance of our science and clinical results. 

Your biggest weakness.

Overthinking everything.

Something people would find surprising about you.

In high school, I helped establish one of the first female lacrosse teams in Ohio.

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

I would be operating a stall at one of the small brocantes in Paris—selling uniquely French vintage items.