2 Minutes With ... Brent Scholz, SVP and ECD at Eversana

From human well-being to animal health, tourism and retail, Brent’s 25-year career has touched a variety of domestic and international brands. A writer by trade, his storytelling approach informed numerous innovations, including the industry’s first AR app for retinal disease.​ He’s earned a PM360 Elite Creative Director nod plus kudos from the ADDYs, SXSW Interactive, Google Creative Sandbox, the One Show, and more.

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

Brent, tell us…

Where you grew up, and where you live now.

I was born in San Antonio. At the ripe old age of three and a half, my parents moved us to a sprawling town in Kansas called Newton. Then a few years later moved to Wichita, which is even sprawlinger. Then eventually, we moved to the sprawlingest of them all: Kansas City. I’m still in KC.

How you first got interested in health.

Some of my favorite accounts at prior agencies were “health adjacent” (e.g. animal health, hospitals, etc). Then, while at VMLY&R, several people I knew and respected were jumping over to this place I’d never heard of called Intouch Solutions. One thing led to another, and voila – it’s been nine years.

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

One of my favorite projects was definitely the Center Screen app/experience during my time at VMLY&R. A local, historic theater was struggling with lagging attendance, and wanted to attract a younger audience. Knowing how much that crowd (everyone, really) is attached to their phones … and that theaters/performing arts are all about turning your phone off for the performance…we wondered “well, what if people were encouraged to leave their phones ON instead?” And from there, the idea was born. We partnered with a burlesque troupe who regularly performed at the theater, and they designed the show while we designed/created a mobile experience that allowed the audience to actually help direct from their seats – things like choosing which songs to play next, which props to use, which dancers should disrobe, stuff like that. I can’t believe it’s been almost a decade old now – we were so ahead of our time! 

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

We’re in production on a number of really cool TV spots and campaigns right now, so this answer is subject to change a few times throughout 2023. I’ll dip a bit back and say the Beautiful Pair DTC campaign for EYLEA. It was one of those “this is why we got in the business” times where we had an innovative and empowering client, along with an exceptionally talented and hungry team. We definitely put the work in, and it was fun to see it recognized in so many ways.

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

Honestly – the fact that I don’t really hear the term “pharma marketing” anymore. It was almost used as a crutch when I first got started. I always looked at it like “we’re just passionate marketers who choose to ply our trade in the world of pharma and healthcare.”

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

In healthcare, I still watch the House Rules spot for Phexxi with a huge amount of admiration. Outside of health, I always start pre-emptively laughing when a new “we can’t protect you from becoming your parents” commercial comes on for Progressive.

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

Man, Severance STUCK WITH ME. Such great writing, casting, performance, art direction, editing, all of it. Can’t wait to see where season two goes.

A visual artist or band/musician you admire.

TTRRUUCCES was my favorite debut group/album of last several years. I tell everyone I can about this band (including the fact that their second record comes out soon).

Your favorite fictional character.

Pretty much anyone that Tim Robinson dreams up for I Think You Should Leave. Let’s go with the advocate for Coffin Flop. Come on, Spectrum – don’t drop Corncob TV from your channel line-up!

Someone worth following in social media.

I follow RxCKSTxR and he makes me laugh out loud every single time. He takes funny animal videos, and overdubs even funnier voiceovers. I’m a sucker for funny animal videos with funny voiceovers, FYI.

Your main strength as a marketer/creative.

If I’ve been asked “how do you stay so calm?” once, I’ve been asked a thousand times. Must be my Libra balanced scales shining through!

Your biggest weakness.

The 18oz bone-in “cowboy cut” ribeye at local steakhouse J. Gilbert’s. That thing is a beast that I attempt to tame at least once a month.

One thing that always makes you happy.

Sipping on the J. Gilbert’s barrel-aged Manhattans whilst taming aforementioned beast.

One thing that always makes you sad.

When I have to update my password.

Something people would find surprising about you.

I used to DJ in my 20s and 30s! The vinyl powers that be smiled down upon me, and I was fortunate enough to play some shows for Red Bull. Probably my crowning achievement was getting to play Ultra Music Fest in Miami.

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

I would definitely open and run a miniature golf course. I might still do that.