Mumbai: Havas Life has appointed João Camacho as Chief Creative Officer, India & Middle East, strengthening its leadership bench across two of the world’s fastest-growing healthcare markets.
Camacho will be based in Mumbai, overseeing creative across India and the Middle East. He will report to Eric Weisberg, Global Chief Creative Officer, Havas Health, and Dorelle Kulkarni, Managing Director, Havas Life Mumbai.
With more than two decades of experience in global healthcare communications, Camacho brings leadership exposure across Africa, Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Middle East. He joins from Publicis in Dubai, where he partnered with leading pharmaceutical and healthcare organisations on medical launches, disease-awareness platforms, and patient-first communication initiatives.
His work has been recognised at international award platforms including FIAP, CCP and the New York Festivals. Camacho has also served as a jury member at major global forums such as Cannes Lions Health, New York Festivals, LIA Awards, CLIO Health, LYNX Health, Saniss Awards and The One Show.
“João is a truly global creative leader with a deep understanding of how healthcare brands must show up differently across cultures, markets, and moments,” said Eric Weisberg, Global Chief Creative Officer, Havas Health. “His experience, curiosity, and belief in creativity as a force for progress make him a powerful addition to our leadership team as we continue to grow in India and the Middle East.”
“Havas Health’s bold expansion in India and the Middle East fuels its rapid growth trajectory across Asia, solidifying its position as one of the region’s leading healthcare communications networks,” said Charles Houdoux, Global Chief Client Officer Havas Health, CEO APAC-LATAM. “João’s appointment reflects our ambition to build world-class creative leadership locally, while staying deeply connected to the global Havas Health vision. He brings the cultural fluency, strategic thinking, and creative confidence these markets demand.”
Dorelle Kulkarni, Managing Director, Havas Life Mumbai added, “We’re delighted to welcome João Camacho to Havas Life Mumbai. He brings a rare blend of global perspective and deep local sensitivity, matched by curiosity, humility, and a genuine passion for improving healthcare experiences. As client expectations evolve beyond communication to true partnership spanning culture, patients, physicians, regulation, and a fast-changing healthcare landscape, João’s mix of strategic thinking, empathy, and creativity makes him ideally suited for this role. I look forward to working with him as we strengthen Havas Life in India and create relevant impact for patients, caregivers, doctors, and health and wellness brands.”
The appointment comes amid strong global momentum for Havas Health and Havas Life, with continued investments in talent, innovation and AI-enabled creativity. At CES 2026, Havas unveiled AVA, a global large language model portal designed to democratise AI capabilities across the network and accelerate collaboration through the Group’s Converged.AI operating system. Presentations by Yannick Bolloré, Chairman and CEO of Havas, reinforced the Group’s focus on combining human ingenuity with advanced AI to deliver enhanced value for clients worldwide.
Across India and the Middle East, this AI-enabled approach is helping Havas Life teams deliver work that is locally relevant while remaining globally connected.
“Joining Havas Health feels like stepping onto a stage built for bold ideas and stories that truly move people,” said João Camacho, Chief Creative Officer, India & Middle East, Havas Life. “Leading creative across India and the Middle East, a region buzzing with energy, innovation, and possibility, is both thrilling and humbling. I can’t wait to bring my perspective, curiosity, and passion to this incredible platform, shaping campaigns that inspire, connect, and make a real difference.”
Camacho’s appointment is expected to further strengthen Havas Life’s creative capabilities in the region, enabling deeper audience engagement and more human-centric healthcare communications.
