We can all agree that empowering patients to engage in their healthcare is a good thing. Improving patients' understanding of their disease and health so they take a more active role in their healthcare has been shown to lead to better health outcomes and reduced costs.

I've long believed that communication is central to health and wellness.

Healthcare marketers are intensively data-driven when analyzing the results of their campaigns, but are they as disciplined when developing creative communications on the front end? Our research has shown that a small investment of time and resources upfront can pay big dividends with results on the back end.

This year Health took a place at the table - or should I say at a table alongside the table that is the Cannes Lions Festival of creativity. A week before the big kick-off I had the pleasure of serving on the Health and Wellness Jury and was astounded by the quality of some of the entries.

The countless health benefits of exercise and a healthy diet are no secret and have long been touted by physicians. New programs have cropped up in recent years that seek to make regular exercise and fresh, organic produce more accessible, helping to keep patients healthier while creating opportunity for marketers to get involved. Fitness and health food brands would be wise to seek out partnerships with health insurance providers and create more incentives for patients to lead healthier lifestyles, begetting long-term benefits for everyone.

Consumer targeting is about to have its day in the sun. Let me explain.