2 Minutes With ... Vikram Agadi, ECD of Accenture Song Life Sciences


Vikram is currently executive creative director of Accenture Song Life Sciences, where he leads strategy across a wide range of therapeutic categories for healthcare professionals and patient audiences.

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

Vikram, tell us … 

Where you grew up, and where you live now.

I was born and raised in Chicago, but have lived in Brooklyn for nine years. I think this means I'll be an official New Yorker next year. But I will never be a Knicks fan … I grew up watching Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Horace Grant, BJ Armstrong, Toni Kukoc … Go Bulls!

How you first got interested in health.

My whole family works in healthcare, starting with my mom, who's a retired physician. My dad operates a women's health company, specifically in OB/GYN, where my brother and sister both work. Being a creative director made me a little different from the rest of my family. But I found common ground by being able to discuss innovation in medicine, advances in healthcare technology and so much more. 

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

A few years ago, my team helped create educational content intended to raise awareness for immunotherapy, which seeks to treat advanced stages of cancer. We created an animated story based on a conversation we had with a patient who was diagnosed with NSCLC, a type of lung cancer. This patient was a fighter, tried every option out there—chemo, radiation, surgery—and nothing worked. He learned about a clinical trial for an immunotherapy drug through Facebook and brought that information to his oncologist. They agreed to go on the treatment, and we spoke with the patient—seven years after his diagnosis. It's a heartwarming video that I still love to this day.

A recent project you’re proud of.

I'm rexcited about a project that we're working on at that is going to launch very soon. I can't share what it is yet, but it's a collaboration with FlavorTV (I worked with them on the immunotherapy video). It's a campaign that was inspired by Disney's Fantasia and classical music. As a kid, I played the cello in an orchestra, so this project hits home for me. 

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

I'm curious to see who wins in the digital watch category with tracking health metrics. It feels like Apple is in front, but it all depends on whose data is the most accurate. My wife is a type 1 diabetic and she relies on her Dexcom glucose monitor. It's impressive to see her blood glucose levels in real-time through the readings on her app.

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

I loved Klick Health's work with Paws NY. They created "The Bridge," which tells the story of a man and a dog living in their own isolated worlds. The cinematic storytelling and animation were nostalgic yet impressively new at the same time.  And Lou Reed's "Perfect Day" was a nice touch.

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

There hasn't been a movie better than Pig in the last few years. I've found movies to be pretty stale this past decade and it feels as though TV series have taken over. But Pig—with Nicolas Cage—was amazing. In my mind, it was a rebirth for Nic Cage, and I finished the movie on the verge of tears. 

A visual artist or band/musician you admire.

Magritte. I've always been a fan of Surrealist art, and I’ve tried to create my own. His artwork might seem kind of simple, but I see so much meaning and interpret it differently every time, like The Son of Man.

Your favorite fictional character.

Indiana Jones. I love the character and have always wanted to be him. I agree with Harrison Ford that only he can play that character. I was in Berlin with my wife recently and found myself quoting The Last Crusade often on that trip. She loved it.

Someone worth following on social media.

Urban Tandoor Bristol, a U.K.-based Indian restaurant run by a bunch of weirdos who love recreating famous scenes in movies and pop culture. 

Your main strength as a marketer/creative.

In healthcare, you need to understand disease states, therapeutic areas, classes of treatment … the list goes on. It's complicated, and it's important to be educated in this space and understand how to communicate aspects of it effectively. I'm constantly learning, but I know enough to have meaningful discussions. And that knowledge allows me to think empathetically in how I approach creative marketing.

Something people would find surprising about you.

I spent a little time learning Muay Thai kickboxing in Thailand. It's a great way to release tension.

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

I would be a chef. I love experimenting with different flavors and ingredients. If I'm using a recipe, I go off script and create something new. There are a lot of similarities to being a creative in advertising and a creative culinary artist. I wouldn't mind doing both in the future.