Jan Zechman's House

Jan Zechman began his writing career shortly after graduating with a Masters Degree from Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism. He joined an advertising agency and won a national Clio Award for the first television commercial he ever wrote.

After stints at two of Chicago’s hottest creative shops, Zechman opened his own ad agency at the age of 28.

Over the next two decades, Zechman & Associates developed a broad following, dominating local ad competitions, winning a slew of national awards and attracting high-profile accounts such as Dove Bar Ice Cream, Swift-Eckridge meats, Augsburger Beer, Phil Donahue Show, Chicago Cubs, Henri’s Salad Dressing, Edy’s Ice Cream and many more.

Zechman’s creative reputation was confirmed in 1985, when the shop bested several major agencies to win the tourism account for the State of Illinois and city of Chicago.

The following year Crains Chicago Business named Zechman the city’s outstanding creative agency.

In 1991, Jan shuttered his doors in favor of project work, teaching and consulting. His most recent advertising campaign was an outrageous
series of TVand radio spots for Robert Coleman, a candidate for
Illinois Attorney General.

He is currently writing a book of short stories and has completed a film project for his own start-up company.