A legacy of making it happen.
It is not every day that Tracy Zaiss, founder and chief strategist of Zaiss & Company, and Wendy Wiseman, president and chief creative officer, tell clients they are sisters. It is not that they are hiding the fact. It is that they prefer to define themselves as third-generation professional marketers, each with a wealth of experience that combined to contribute to the success of Zaiss & Company.
“We come by our passion for effective marketing honestly,” Wiseman says. “Our grandfather was G.M. of WOW radio and later, assistant G.M. of WOW-TV, and is in the Nebraska Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame. In 1941, he gave an impassioned speech about ‘this new thing called television.’ TV was in just 12 major markets at the time—not Omaha. While his radio peers were reeling over the change, he saw the business [advertising] opportunities ahead and was determined that WOW-TV lead the way.”
“Our dad was in charge of advertising, marketing, and PR at Mutual of Omaha, including production and distribution of Wild Kingdom,” Zaiss adds. “His career was defined by his personal drive to do things bigger and better—and he wasn’t afraid to push for results. Both men are acknowledged visionaries in this field who set the bar high.”
When founded, Zaiss & Company was the first agency in the region to adopt the Strategic Planning model to do advertising differently. “Our focus has always been on helping our clients grow,” Zaiss says. “When I founded Zaiss & Company, I knew there had to be a better way, and the Strategic Planning model resonated with me. We start with a deep dive to unearth breakthrough strategies and they drive the creative approach—not vice versa as clients often get from traditional agencies. It’s not easy, and not everyone can do it, but it’s the secret sauce born of a legacy to make things happen, and it works.”
“Our clients appreciate our passion for their business,” Wiseman says. “Our way of doing business can seem like the ‘extra mile,’ versus what they may have experienced with other agencies, but it’s the only way we partner with our clients—fully engaged in their goals and in how we get there together.”
Through the years Zaiss & Company has grown well beyond the sisters to a full-service team that includes creative, media, PR, production, and account management professionals. One of the most awarded agencies in the region, Zaiss & Company most recently earned 16 social media awards, was a finalist for a national media award, and is honored to be named Best PR Firm in Omaha 11 years running. “Our greatest reward is the honor of serving clients,” Wiseman says. “When that service is acknowledged as a significant contribution, in our industry or theirs, it comes full-circle in honoring our legacy to see what’s next, what can be and to push for results. We’ll gladly take that.”
11626 Nicholas St.rOmaha, NE 68154r402.964.9293rZaissco.com
This sponsored content was printed in the April/May 2019 edition of B2B. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.
