We’d like to formally congratulate our CEO, Jeff Zehnder, for his placement on New Orleans’ “50 Most Influential People” list! This award recognizes his years of dedication to our agency and the greater community.

In 1996, Jeff launched Zehnder with a simple mission: to do great work, make a difference, earn a fair profit, and have fun. This mantra has fueled our agency’s growth and creative endeavors in the decades since. From a single-client shop in New Orleans to a nationally recognized brand with offices in Nashville, Rosemary Beach, and Baton Rouge, Zehnder’s reach and impact have grown exponentially under Jeff’s leadership.

Today, as Zehnder stands at the forefront of brand & digital development, social media strategy, paid & earned media and research & analytics, Jeff has ushered the agency into a new era as an employee-owned company. This unique ownership approach enables employees to earn stock and reap the benefits of their hard work, developing leaders and supporting long-term viability.

Beyond Zehnder, Jeff is actively involved in the industry and community at large. A former member of the board of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, he is also a proud inductee of the LSU E.J. Ourso College of Business Hall of Distinction and an active chairman of the Board of Governors of Seaside Institute. Promoting sustainability through design and education, the Institute’s mission aligns with Zehnder’s founding principles and the agency’s client work in Northwest Florida.

Jeff is a recipient of the American Advertising Federation’s Silver Medal Award in recognition of his lifetime achievements and was honored in 2018 with a Distinguished Practitioner Award from the Academy of Marketing Science, an international scholarly organization. Now, Jeff adds another well-deserved accolade to the list as one of New Orleans' Top 50 Most Influential People.

Throughout his career, Jeff has focused on helping businesses and brands grow across a spectrum of industries, from technology and healthcare to tourism and finance. No matter the task at hand, his dedication to the people around him not only strengthens and benefits all, it motivates others to take action as well. The team at Zehnder Communications extends a warm congratulations to Jeff and looks forward to the growth, creativity, and innovation he continues to inspire.