At Cannes Lions 2026, one message stood out: in today’s landscape, success isn’t about what brands say, but what they make people feel and remember. For health brands, that means moving beyond clarity to create culturally resonant, behavior-shifting work that delivers real-world impact.

At Cannes Lions 2026, Matt McNally joined ADWEEK’s Leadership Voices to share his perspective on where healthcare is headed and how Publicis Health is built for the future. From the growing demand for more connected, human-centered solutions to the power of bringing data, creativity, and expertise together, the conversation highlighted what it takes to lead in a rapidly evolving industry.

At Cannes Lions, it was clear that healthcare marketing is moving beyond rigid annual plans toward more dynamic, always-on approaches. In ADWEEK House’s From Static Planning to Living Systems session, leaders including Elle McComsey highlighted the shift to adaptive, data-driven ecosystems that continuously learn and respond in real time.

Attending ASCO 2026 underscored both the meaningful progress in gynecologic cancer care and the urgent need for greater awareness. For many women in mid-life, menopause symptoms can mirror early warning signs of cancer—often leading to delayed diagnoses in the absence of reliable screening options.

ASCO 2026 reinforced that while scientific innovation continues to advance oncology, the real impact lies in addressing the everyday barriers patients face in accessing and navigating care. From poster sessions to policy discussions, the meeting highlighted the critical need to translate breakthroughs into more equitable, patient-centered outcomes.

Fresh from SXSW London 2026, Sam Cheetham challenges how we think about AI, arguing that the real opportunity lies in starting with people, not technology. From co-creation to the rise of AI companionship, he explores how creativity must push beyond optimisation to stay truly human in an uncertain, rapidly evolving landscape.

After attending the 2026 Veeva Commercial & Medical Summit, one theme became impossible to ignore: pharma marketing’s era of “kitchen sink” content must end. As AI accelerates content creation, the real challenge is no longer producing more materials, it’s creating focused, high-value IVA content that actually supports meaningful Rep/HCP interactions.

Mental Health Awareness Month is a reminder that supporting mental well-being requires action, not just conversation. Through its partnership with NAMI, Publicis Health fostered open dialogue, community engagement, and a shared commitment to creating a more supportive workplace culture.

Explore key takeaways from the ISMPP Annual Meeting, including AI in medical publications, journal targeting strategies, and evolving industry challenges.

Day 1 at Adobe Summit felt like a wake-up call on what’s now possible. Relevance is a data problem, and while healthcare has the data, it’s often too siloed to act on. The real challenge is building operating models that deliver the speed and personalization customers already expect.

A perspective from Adobe Summit 2026 on how AI is reshaping healthcare marketing—not by replacing agencies, but by eliminating outdated, inefficient processes. While fears around job loss and shrinking budgets are real, the true shift is toward scalable, personalized engagement that improves patient outcomes. Human creativity and strategy remain essential, with AI acting as the engine that enables more meaningful, timely connections at scale.

Medical Affairs is moving from support to strategy, with clear momentum around AI, measurable impact, and integrated engagement. The next leaders will be those who turn these priorities into everyday practice while maintaining scientific rigor.

A recap of SXSW 2026 exploring how artificial intelligence is reshaping creativity, leadership, and culture. From the rise of AI as foundational infrastructure to the growing importance of human judgment, discover key insights and trends defining the future of innovation.