We fight sameness.
At Zulu Alpha Kilo (Z.A.K. for short), it’s not just our creative mission. It's why we exist. We believe boring is expensive. When your brand is truly distinct, real people recognize, remember, and choose you over the competition. There's no greater risk than putting work into the world that's more of the same.
Launched in 2008, we’re proud that our shop has built a reputation over the years as an industry outlier and one of the most respected independent agencies in the world.
On four different occasions, Ad Age named us Small Agency of the Year and International Small Agency of the Year. We've been listed among the top ten independent agencies in the world in Cannes, One Show and D&AD, based on a body of effective, breakthrough work. In 2024 we were named on Ad Age’s A-List Standout Agencies. In 2021 we were Campaign US Independent Agency of the Year and most recently recognized as one of Campaign Global’s 2025 Independent Agencies of the year. For four years running, Fast Company has recognized our work in their World Changing Ideas and Innovation By Design issues and in 2024 Z.A.K. made Fast Company’s list of Most Innovative Companies.
We were founded on the belief that the world needs more creativity. It’s what drives all our decision-making. When you truly embrace creativity as a competitive advantage, you will see it transform your world and your business. We’ve witnessed this over and over with our own clients.
And, as a purpose-driven company, we also use our creativity to do good in the world by supporting causes we truly believe in.
With 200 staff in New York, Toronto, and Vancouver, Z.A.K. is a magnet for top global talent. Want to change your world as a marketer? Let’s fight sameness together.
Director, Culture & Influence
At Zulu Alpha Kilo, we fight sameness. Because the world doesn’t need more advertising. It needs ideas people actually talk about. We’re looking for someone who helps our ideas break out of the ad bubble and move through culture. This role sits at the intersection of creativity, storytelling, media, and culture. You’ll work alongside strategists and creatives from the earliest stages of an idea, helping shape work that’s built to earn attention — not just buy it. This isn’t traditional PR. It’s about helping great ideas become impossible to ignore.
What You’ll Do
Shape Ideas That Break Out
- Join the creative process early, bringing an earned and cultural lens to the work.
- Help shape campaigns that are inherently talkable, shareable, and newsworthy.
Build the Story
- Define the narrative, hook, and cultural angle that makes our ideas compelling to journalists, creators, and audiences.
- In other words: help answer the question, why should anyone care?
Help Our Ideas Travel
- Find ways for ideas to move beyond paid media — through creator collaborations, cultural partnerships, and media moments.
Build the Right Relationships
- Develop relationships with journalists, editors, creators, and cultural voices who help great ideas reach the world.
- Know who to call when we have something worth talking about.
Help Sell Big Ideas
- Help tell the story behind our work in client presentations — showing how ideas can spark conversation and create real cultural impact.
Who You Are
- ~7+ years in PR, earned media, cultural marketing, or creative strategy
- Comfortable collaborating with creative teams and senior clients
- A strong storyteller who can turn ideas into stories people want to share
- Curious about culture, media, creators, and where attention is shifting
- A natural relationship builder
Most importantly, you believe the best ideas don’t just run in media. They live in culture.
Compensation for this role ranges from $160,000 to $180,000 USD, depending on experience.
Zulu Alpha Kilo is an equal opportunity employer. It prohibits discrimination based on age, color, disability, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and any other legally protected class in accordance with applicable federal, provincial and local laws. Zulu Alpha Kilo is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and accessible workplace. If you are contacted for an interview and require accommodation during the interviewing process, please let us know.
What We Do
With 185 staff in New York, Toronto, and Vancouver, Zulu Alpha Kilo (Z.A.K. for short) was founded in 2008. We’re proud that our shop has built a reputation as an industry outlier and one of the most respected independent creative agencies in the world. Trade publications have written that Z.A.K. stands out as a ‘maverick global indie agency’ within the fiercely competitive advertising industry dominated by global holding companies. In 2016, Ad Age named us Small Agency of the Year and in 2017, 2021 and 2022, International Small Agency of the Year. We were featured as one of Forbes Top 100 Innovators of 2018, The Drum’s Agency of the Year 2021, and Campaign US 2021 Independent Agency of the Year. For three years running, Fast Company has recognized our work in their World Changing Ideas issue. In 2022, we were listed among the top ten independent agencies in the world in Cannes, One Show and D&AD, based on a body of effective, breakthrough work. We were founded on the belief that the world needs more creativity. It’s what drives all our decision-making. There is just so much ineffective, badly crafted work in the world that never gets noticed, has zero impact and is a waste of client budgets. We are here to change all that. When you truly embrace creativity as a competitive advantage, you will see it transform your world and your business. We’ve witnessed this over and over with our own clients. And, as a purpose-driven company, we also use our creativity to do good in the world by supporting causes we truly believe in. Want to change your world as a marketer? Let’s fight sameness together.
