Harshit Jain, MD Interview(s)
What motivates you to be part of the PHNX Jury, and what do you hope to bring to the judging process?
Having been in the business for years now, I know that creativity in healthcare is more than just storytelling—it has the power to heal, inspire, and change lives. Being part of the PHNX Jury is an opportunity to celebrate bold ideas that bridge science and creativity to make a real impact for people across sectors. What excites me most is seeing work that goes beyond being just clever or visually stunning—ideas that have depth, purpose, and the ability to move people through long-lasting solutions of problems. As the PHNX jury member, I am certainly looking forward to bringing a perspective that values not just originality but also impact, ensuring that the most meaningful and boldest ideas get the recognition they deserve.
PHNX has always been about celebrating creativity in all its forms. What new perspectives or disciplines do you think deserve more recognition in award shows today?
Creativity today is no longer confined to traditional formats— it is immersive, and deeply intertwined with culture, technology, and human behavior. While storytelling, design, and innovation have always been celebrated, I believe disciplines like behavioral science, community-driven creativity, ethical AI, and healthcare marketing deserve more attention for greater good. For instance, in healthcare, creativity isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about breaking barriers to make complex information accessible, driving behavioral change, and ultimately improving patient outcomes. Ideas that don’t just capture attention but drive real participation, shift mindsets, and create lasting impact should take center stage. Whether it’s purpose-driven work that sparks meaningful change or hyper-personalized experiences powered by AI, the future of creativity lies in its ability to connect authentically and responsibly.
Which countries or regions do you think are leading the creative field right now? And which emerging markets should we look out for?
The U.S. and Europe continue to lead the creative field, setting global benchmarks in innovation and storytelling. The U.S. blends entertainment and technology seamlessly—think Apple’s brand storytelling or Nike’s purpose-driven campaigns—while Europe pushes artistic boundaries with work like Channel 4’s bold Paralympics ads or Burger King's fearless rebranding.
That said, creativity is rapidly evolving in emerging markets. Australia has steadily gained global recognition, with campaigns like ‘Dumb Ways to Die’ showcasing its bold, culturally resonant approach. In Asia-Pacific, India’s digital transformation is fueling high-impact storytelling (e.g., Policy Bazaar healthcare insurance’s hyper-local campaigns), while Indonesia and Vietnam are making strides with innovative mobile-first marketing and purpose-driven brand narratives. These regions may not yet dominate, but they are proving that fresh thinking and unconventional ideas can break through.
Nonetheless, be it leading or emerging markets, we are still awaited to witness similar creative impact in B2B businesses.
That said, creativity is rapidly evolving in emerging markets. Australia has steadily gained global recognition, with campaigns like ‘Dumb Ways to Die’ showcasing its bold, culturally resonant approach. In Asia-Pacific, India’s digital transformation is fueling high-impact storytelling (e.g., Policy Bazaar healthcare insurance’s hyper-local campaigns), while Indonesia and Vietnam are making strides with innovative mobile-first marketing and purpose-driven brand narratives. These regions may not yet dominate, but they are proving that fresh thinking and unconventional ideas can break through.
Nonetheless, be it leading or emerging markets, we are still awaited to witness similar creative impact in B2B businesses.
What trends or cultural shifts do you think will define the most impactful creative work this year?
The most impactful creative work this year will be defined by the fusion of AI with human intellect. While AI is revolutionizing efficiency, personalization, and scale, true creativity will come from how we balance its capabilities with human intuition, emotion, and storytelling.
Beyond technology, cultural shifts toward authenticity and purpose-driven narratives will continue to shape campaigns. Audiences crave deeper connections, making hyper-personalized yet emotionally resonant storytelling more crucial than ever. Additionally, the rise of community-driven creativity—where brands co-create with their audiences—will redefine engagement.
Ultimately, the best ideas won’t just leverage AI or data; they’ll use them as tools to enhance human insight, crafting work that feels both intelligent and deeply personal.
Beyond technology, cultural shifts toward authenticity and purpose-driven narratives will continue to shape campaigns. Audiences crave deeper connections, making hyper-personalized yet emotionally resonant storytelling more crucial than ever. Additionally, the rise of community-driven creativity—where brands co-create with their audiences—will redefine engagement.
Ultimately, the best ideas won’t just leverage AI or data; they’ll use them as tools to enhance human insight, crafting work that feels both intelligent and deeply personal.
If you could give one piece of advice to agencies and creatives submitting their work, what would it be?
Problem-solving is the key to truly impactful creativity. A campaign can grab attention, gain recognition, and eventually evoke emotion to influence purchase making decision of its target audiences only if it addresses the right challenge of its target audiences in a meaningful way. Creativity isn’t just about making noise; it’s about making a difference.
My advice to agencies and creatives: Don’t chase trends or create for the sake of buzz. Focus on solving real problems—whether for brands, audiences, or society—through bold, strategic, and proactive thinking. The most powerful work doesn’t just impress; it resonates, engages, and ultimately drives change.
My advice to agencies and creatives: Don’t chase trends or create for the sake of buzz. Focus on solving real problems—whether for brands, audiences, or society—through bold, strategic, and proactive thinking. The most powerful work doesn’t just impress; it resonates, engages, and ultimately drives change.
Which creative minds are inspiring you the most right now?
Right now, some of the most inspiring creative minds in healthcare marketing are redefining the industry with bold, purpose-driven work. The team behind eHealth’s Your Medicare Matchmaker campaign used real user experiences to build trust, earning a Silver Healthcare Marketing Impact Award. Bupa’s Good Health is Contagious repositioned the brand as a true healthcare partner, driving customer growth in Australia. Meanwhile, Northwell Health launched Northwell Studios, using entertainment to educate and spotlight medical stories in a groundbreaking way.
These campaigns prove that healthcare marketing isn’t just about visibility—it’s about impact, trust, and meaningful change.
These campaigns prove that healthcare marketing isn’t just about visibility—it’s about impact, trust, and meaningful change.
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