Contextual Intelligence

How should the Life Sciences industry think about content development in our rapidly changing world of digital transformation and AI? Learn from one of the nation's top media experts, Merrill Brown, who has been at the forefront of digital content innovation at a global scale for the last three decades. From his early days as a beat reporter at the Washington Post, through to his most recent role as editorial director of G/O Media -- parent company of The Onion, Gizmodo and much more -- hear how the news industry has evolved -- and get a media guru's insights on how to deliver meaningful and impactful content to your stakeholders and customers.

Merrill was our keynote guest at our inaugural Aktana Innovation Xchange (AIx) on September 26th in New York City. Our live AIx audience got an inside peek in this lively fireside chat of what really happens in the leading newsrooms in the world. We hope you enjoy this entertaining and informative discussion -- and don't miss hearing "Merrill in Context" when we learn what historical figure, Merrill, as a renowned journalist, would most like to interview.

Today’s guest is a ground-breaking and ceiling-smashing transformational leader who knows a thing or two about guiding top-10 pharma companies through periods of great change. In this episode, we’re joined by Eva Martins, the Global Head of Customer Engagement at Sanofi. Find out what she considers the greatest challenge in driving customer-centric global transformation. Learn how Sanofi uniquely tackles change management in delivering AI solutions globally. And hear how Eva has successfully navigated a male-dominated industry to reach professional pinnacles while inspiring and supporting women in life sciences and beyond. And don’t miss “Eva Martins in Context” where we learn about Eva’s secret aspiration of being a parachutist, her go-to music choices, and her ideal sushi dinner companions.

“What are other people doing?” It’s the biggest question at the start of any major project—and omnichannel is no exception. In this special episode of Contextual Intelligence, industry leaders from Biogen, Genentech and Novartis draw from their firsthand experience deploying AI programs to share what they’ve learned in a frank roundtable discussion from Aktana’s recent Masterclass event. Want to learn more? You can watch every session from Aktana's “Build Once, Deploy Many: Laying the Foundation for Omnichannel AI at Scale” masterclass HERE.

Today’s guest rose through the ranks of retail giants L’Oreal and Levi Strauss before landing his current role shaping data science strategy at one of the world’s leading biotech companies. In this episode, we’re joined by Youssef Idelcaid, the senior director of data science for Commercial, Medical and Government Affairs at Genentech. Listen as he shares what surprised him most about his transition from retail to life sciences, his best advice for getting started with AI, and how he decides when to stay in-house and when to outsource data science projects. And don’t miss “Youssef in Context,” where we discuss his greatest career inspiration, a new title for your must-read list, and who’s invited to Youssef’s ultimate bolognese dinner. 

The conversation continues with Dr. Wael Barsoum—a practicing orthopedic surgeon, the president and chief transformation officer of Health Outcomes Performance Co., and the former CEO of Cleveland Clinic Florida. We circle back to discuss what the life sciences industry can do to get its grade up to an “A” and discuss the evolving roles of pharmaceutical and medical device reps.

In today’s episode, we’re getting a firsthand progress report on the industry’s commercial transformation efforts from Dr. Wael Barsoum—a practicing orthopedic surgeon, the president and chief transformation officer of Health Outcomes Performance Co., and the former CEO of Cleveland Clinic Florida. Listen as he reflects on his best customer experiences as an HCP, unpacks the link between data-driven care and improved patient outcomes, and explores the shift to value-based care. And don’t miss “Wael Barsoum in Context,” where we discuss the life lesson that shaped his future in medicine, an alternate career in the courtroom and a fascinating miniseries to add to your watchlist.

Today’s guest has had a front-row seat to the trends and market dynamics that have shaped commercial life sciences for the last 32 years. In this episode, we sit down with Deb Cava, the U.S. Oncology Portfolio Strategy Marketing Director at Merck, where she’s spent her entire career. Listen as she shares her perspective on the industry’s current omnichannel fervor, the increased pressure to be customer-centric in oncology, and her advice for getting honest about what customers really want from pharma. And don’t miss “Deb Cava in Context,” where we discuss finding fulfillment in the white space, a transformative read, and the nirvana of finding time with family.

Part of biopharma’s first wave of Chief Digital Officers, Francesca Wuttke has been tasked with developing and executing an end-to-end, companywide digital transformation at Almirall. In today’s episode, we check in with Francesca two years into her ambitious project for a behind-the-scenes progress report. Listen as she shares her tips for kicking off a major technology-driven initiative, how she’s getting critical cultural mindset shifts to take root, and why starting a “Digital Garden” was a non-negotiable part of her strategic plan. And don’t miss “Francesca in Context,” where we discuss the surprising influence on her career, the joy of TV escapism, and the eclectic guest list for her ultimate dinner party.

As Gramener’s co-founder and Chief Decision Scientist, Ganes Kesari knows a thing or two about extracting data insights to drive smarter decision-making. In this episode, Ganes puts on his executive consultant hat and outlines best practices for getting started with AI and other advanced data programs, measuring ROI and securing broad-based support for your initiatives. Listen as he gives us a quick primer on data storytelling, breaks down the “last-mile challenge,” and shares how he explains decision intelligence to his kids.

As Grünenthal’s Global Head of Commercial Excellence, Florent Edouard is a champion for change. In today’s episode, we learn how he’s leading the charge for digital transformation and customer-centricity in a traditionally risk-averse industry. Listen as he shares how he’s applying the same analytical rigor typically found in R&D to the commercial side of life sciences, his tips for creating a professional environment that sparks innovation, and the importance of transparency and trust in driving tech adoption. And don’t miss “Florent Edouard in Context,” where we discuss his favorite recent read, a dream dinner in Sao Paulo, and why you’ll never find Florent on TikTok.