Los Angeles independent agency Zambezi hired Erickson Ilog in a dual role as chief financial officer and chief organizational officer, both first-time positions at the agency.
Ilog arrives at Zambezi from WPP creative technology firm Iconmobile Group, where he spent the past year and a half serving as chief financial officer. Before joining iconmobile group he spent nine years with M&C Saatchi L.A., most recently serving as executive vice president, director of finance and operations. During his time with M&C Saatchi, Ilog worked with Zambezi CEO Jean Freeman.
“This is the next big step in the evolution of Zambezi. We hired our first Chief Creative Officer earlier this year, Gavin Lester. Now we’ve hired our first Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer. Zambezi is stepping up in terms of leadership, and strengthening our business processes,” Freeman said in a statement. “Erickson is an expert at establishing financial and operations best practices within the creative industries. He is one of those rare numbers guys who really thrives in a creative environment. We’ve known each other for quite a while and we’ve been waiting for the right moment to engage. We’re ready for each other now and for the future.”
“Zambezi has grown tremendously and it is my goal to help lead and guide the team as we continue to further grow the business in the succeeding years. At the same time, I want to make sure that as the company grows, we continue to focus and further build an organization that promotes positive company culture. Zambezi is all about bringing extraordinary to its clients,” Ilog added. “When the agency speaks like this, they have to live it, and they do. This is an exceptional place with brilliant and talented people. Employee diversity is impressive, and welcoming. Yes, I’m a finance person but I always gravitate and work best in creative work environments, and that’s exactly why I’m here at Zambezi.”
In addition to the aforementioned arrival of Gavin Lester as Zambezi’s first chief creative officer back in February, the agency welcomed associate creative director and copywriter Tal Wagman from Saatchi & Saatchi L.A. last month and hired Dawn Thomas as head of culture, strategy and content innovation in September.