Independent creative agency Zambezi has named Janine Zaim as its first Director of Recruiting. The newly created position follows a steady stream of new business wins and industry awards for Zambezi, including a Gold award as Ad Age Small Agency of the Year, a Gold Lion at the 2016 Cannes Advertising Festival, a One Show Gold Pencil and a Sports Clio. Zaim comes to Zambezi from Pereira & O’Dell, where she was Director of Recruiting for their New York and San Francisco offices. At Zambezi Zaim will enlist new talent as well as manage the agency’s employee initiatives and policies.
Zaim’s hiring is the latest in a string of recent key appointments at the agency, which celebrates its 10th Anniversary this year. Partner/Executive Director Of Technology Justice Erolin, formerly of Deutsch LA, and Executive Director, Marketing and Business Development Josie Brown, formerly at Omelet, joined Zambezi this year, following the agency’s relocation to spacious new headquarters in the Culver City media corridor along Jefferson & Overland Blvds. Zaim will be reporting directly to Jean Freeman, COO of Zambezi.
“Zambezi is all about our people, and our people are our culture,” said Freeman. “Janine is joining the Zambezi family and curating our creative. She has ten years experience with some of the greatest agencies in the business. Her superpower is finding creatives, something that’s very important for us. Everything here is rooted in creativity. At the same time we needed someone who can find talent across the board and develop the formation of our talent department.”
Zaim’s career includes stints as Creative Services Manager and Recruiter at twofifteenmccann and Director Of Talent and Creative Services at Cutwater, both based in San Francisco. A graduate of the renowned Creative Writing program at San Francisco State University, Zaim is a consummate aficionada of films, literature and all things creative.
“Zambezi is on an exciting trajectory,” said Zaim. “The people here are amazing and creative; there’s a great energy flowing through these walls, and a family-like culture that makes it really stand out from other agencies. I’ll be bringing in dynamic talent in every department, and also working with current employees to keep them growing and engaged as the agency evolves. I’m here to help shape the face of talent at Zambezi. That’s my ultimate goal.”
