What is your title and practice area within Deloitte Digital?
Larry Mickelberg: I’m a managing director, leading agency innovation at the intersection of digital, healthcare, and marketing – specifically in Life Sciences and Healthcare.
Tell us a little bit about your background and where you were before Deloitte Digital.
LM: I started my career at Deloitte in the ‘90s, so I guess that makes me a very long boomerang. I’ve spent the past 20 or so years in the digital healthcare marketing and advertising space. Just prior to joining DD, for the past 7 years, I was the chief digital officer for Havas Health (one of the world’s largest healthcare advertising networks) and prior to that, I was a founding executive at Digitas Health.
What attracted you to Deloitte Digital?
LM: When I worked in the advertising space, I used to spend my days worrying about what would happen when Deloitte Digital made a market entry in my sector. The incredible array of capabilities, the elastic brand permission, the talented people, and the brilliant work were just some of the reasons. If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em, so that’s what I did.
What do you believe sets us apart from the competition?
LM: The broad array of digital transformation capabilities – truly end to end – that exist within the organization. And as we continue to consolidate our groups under one roof, enabling a truly uncompromised delivery.
What’s surprised you the most since starting at Deloitte Digital?
LM: From the very first day, I recognize the spirit and culture of the excellent Deloitte that I left in 1998. The drive, the collegiality, the lack of arrogance – it’s all here and more.
What do you see as the biggest area for growth in your discipline?
LM: The ability to help define a new kind of marketing agency partner experience for marketers in life sciences is compelling and represents a massive opportunity for Deloitte Digital.
What do you think the future looks like for creative agencies?
LM: Creativity is a principal currency of any innovation economy like ours. And that creativity is increasingly aimed at not just selling, but supporting and building brands by enhancing customer experiences. In the Life Sciences and Healthcare space, we are using creativity to enhance lives and well-being. What’s better than that?
What inspires you?
LM: As a hobbyist futurist, my favorite words are tomorrow, future, and “what if”. I’m thrilled to be surrounded by so many like-minded people and teams here today.
What’s your favorite emoji?
LM: Fist bump.
Who is your favorite late-night TV host?
LM: Tie between John Oliver – for the fun, intellectual spin on the news and Andy Cohen – for the exact opposite take on pop culture.
What’s on your current playlist?
LM: My last five tracks played were by Betty Who, Coldplay, Chainsmokers, Thievery Corporation, Axwell Λ Ingrosso, and One Republic. But, soon my playlists turn towards summer and that means lots of tropical house, especially Kygo.