Henry Chassaignac

Creative Director

Why do you do what you do?
When it comes right down to it, I really enjoy the creative process. I still get excited when I start to visualize how an idea can be brought to life.

What was your proudest career moment?
In the early days at Zehnder, it felt like we were a bunch of kids, albeit some smart ones, running a company. So when we won the agency’s first Best of Show prize and a bunch of Gold Addy Awards, it was fun watching the more established agencies wondering who we were. That’s when I felt we could compete with the larger shops in the market. Now we are one of the big shops. A similar story unfolded as we expanded statewide and continues to develop regionally.

What fuels you to do the best?
I’m constantly inspired by other work out there. Every time I witness great work, it makes me want to figure out how we can top it.

What drew you to Zehnder?
After four years in the Northwest wilderness, I returned to New Orleans in ’99. I was looking for the right shop to grow with. Found it. We grew.  Went out on my own for a while and now I'm back.

What do you suck at?
I’ve played sports my whole life and I was fair to pretty good at a few of them – until someone gave me a golf club in college. I promptly almost killed a man.

Describe your most quirky trait:
I despise static electricity. So I’m always doing a lot of strange things to avoid being shocked.

Outside Zehnder I love to…

• Find things that make me laugh
• Spend time in and around the water