Jean Freeman, majority owner and Chief Executive Officer of Zambezi was named a Working Mother of the Year by She Runs It (formerly Advertising Women of New York). Freeman joins 23 other honorees on the organization’s 2018 list of "Working Mothers of the Year," a prestigious award that recognizes outstanding mothers in marketing and media who have served as strong role models and demonstrate a positive influence at work, at home, and within their communities. This year's roster of best and brightest working mothers hail from advertising agencies such as Zambezi to top media companies such as The New York Times, to major brands such as Johnson & Johnson. An event celebrating Working Mothers of the Year takes place on February 26 in New York.
“I’m honored to represent all the working parents out there,” said Freeman. “The truth is that no one does it alone. So I want thank everyone who supports me in the work we do: my agency partners, my team — and of course my family. They inspire me every single day.”
Women CEOs in the advertising industry are rare; Freeman’s first act after being elevated to the position at Zambezi in March 2017 was to close the agency in recognition of A Day Without A Woman. A champion of women in leadership roles, Freeman has been working to see women soar up the ranks throughout the advertising community. Under her leadership, Zambezi has partnered with organizations and initiatives that are dedicated to advancing women, including SheSays, The 3% Conference, Pledge Parental Leave, and Free the Bid.
In 2015 and 2016, Zambezi was named one of the largest women-owned businesses by the Los Angeles Business Journal. Freeman was also nominated to LABJ’s prestigious 2016 Women’s Summit, which “celebrates the outstanding accomplishments of female leaders throughout Los Angeles.” Freeman was named to Adweek’s 2017 Disruptors List and named one of the 4As “100 People Who Make Advertising Great.” An industry thought leader, Freeman is a frequent contributor to trade publications on issues ranging from women in the workplace to leadership and building a sustainable business.
About Zambezi
Zambezi, LLC is an independent creative agency. Founded in 2006, Zambezi is headquartered in Los Angeles, CA. It was named to Inc. Magazine's list of 500/500 Fastest Growing Private Companies in 2011, 2012 and 2013 and recognized an Advertising Age Small Agency of the Year in 2011 and 2016. Zambezi also made the list of 100 Largest Woman-Owned Business in Los Angeles County by the Los Angeles Business Journal in 2015 and 2016. The agency works with Fortune 500 brands including Cox Automotive, The TaylorMade Golf Company, The Coca-Cola Company, and Venmo. To learn more about Zambezi, visit www.zambezi-la.com
