October 1, 2026
Helgesen brings over two decades of digital transformation experience to accelerate the agency’s health-specific technology offerings and advisory services
GCI Health, a global health impact agency, today announced that Eric Helgesen has joined the agency as Executive Vice President, Global Head of AI and Innovation. In this role, Helgesen will oversee the creation, scaling and adoption of custom AI and technology solutions exclusively built for healthcare. He will also advise clients on leveraging AI to optimize their communications strategies to realize broader organizational transformation.
Helgesen’s appointment deepens GCI Health’s leadership in building AI-driven healthcare offerings that optimize strategy, predict impact, grow brand prominence and facilitate measurement. He will focus on expanding the agency’s already robust data intelligence suite of compliant, high-performance solutions that bridge technology, marketing and communications.
GCI Health’s data intelligence suite and creative and content studio currently includes solutions such as proprietary AI focus groups and agents, GEOrge, a generative engine optimization offering, the Misinformation Mitigation & Impact Solution (MMIS) and Decipher Health, a cognitive AI predictive solution developed and owned by Burson following the recent acquisition of Limbik.
“AI has revolutionized how people access health information and how companies can engage with stakeholders,” said Kristin Cahill, Global CEO, GCI Health. “With millions of people turning to AI for health information every day, harnessing its power to improve the health journey for patients, care partners and healthcare providers has never been more important. Eric’s technical brilliance and deep understanding of our clients’ business are critical for turning complexity into clarity to innovate practical, high-impact solutions.”
Helgesen joins GCI Health from Diray Media, where he served as Chief Transformation Officer, spearheading the development of proprietary, AI-driven planning and data tools. Prior to that, Helgesen spent 14 years in leadership roles at Weber Shandwick, culminating as Executive Vice President, Head of Technology and Creative Product, where he led global digital transformation and enterprise platform development for Fortune 100 clients across healthcare, technology, finance and consumer sectors.
“As technology transforms the way we communicate, clients need agency partners who can help them build and leverage the right tools, and know when and how to apply them, so AI amplifies their people and overall impact,” said Helgesen. “I’ve spent my career helping clients and agency teams navigate digital shifts, and the chance to do it at GCI Health comes at a pivotal industry moment. I look forward to partnering with this amazing team to help guide healthcare leaders through the AI era.”
Helgesen’s appointment complements Burson’s continued investment in proprietary solutions, capabilities and leadership that advances AI innovation for clients.
About GCI Health
GCI Health is the leading health impact agency built to realize the future of health. GCI Health leverages deep healthcare expertise, award-winning creativity and proprietary technology to create health impact through communications and engagements that change behavior and catalyze action. From molecules to the masses, GCI Health embraces the entire healthcare spectrum in every corner of the world, spanning North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and India. GCI Health is a celebrated, highly respected healthcare agency with industry honors that include PRWeek Best Place to Work, PRWeek Global International Agency of the Year, MM+M PR Agency of the Year, PRovoke Media Global Healthcare PR Agency of the Year and PRovoke Media Agency of the Decade. GCI Health is part of Burson, which is part of WPP (LSE/NYSE: WPP), the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. Powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform WPP Open, WPP unites cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, creativity, production, enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel. Follow us at www.gcihealth.com and on LinkedIn and Instagram.