John Zimmerman

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This article is about the advertising executive. For others with similar names, see John Zimmerman (disambiguation).

John Patrick Zimmerman (born August 6, 1957 in Coshocton, Ohio; died August 1, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana) was an advertising executive and co-founder of O2 Ideas.

Zimmerman was one of eight children born to Harry McGoodwin Zimmerman and the former Evelyn Johnson of Ohio. In 1968 the family moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and in 1972 back to Akron, Ohio. He transferred from Broadmoor Senior High School in Baton Rouge to Firestone High School during his senior year, was elected captain of the football team, and graduated in the spring of 1973.

Zimmerman studied psychology at Louisiana State University and put together a party band called Louisiana Hot Sauce. After graduating in 1978 he took a job at a Burger King and soon was recommended for management training. While working as a restaurant manager he submitted a jingle to a clothing company operating in Baton Rouge and kicked off a new career in advertising.

Zimmerman was hired by Root & Associates in Baton Rouge. By 1987 he was chief marketing officer for Broadway Department Stores in Los Angeles, California. He left after the 1992 Whittier earthquake and settled in Birmingham. He became a partner in Steiner Bressler Zimmerman, and then reorganized it as O2 Ideas in the 1990s. Zimmerman was credited with landing national clients such as Verizon and Home Depo for the agency.

Long-time silent partner Shelly Stewart was elevated CEO and majority shareholder in 2003. The firm moved into the former Caldwell & Minnie Bradshaw residence at 2154 Highland Avenue the next year. He was also known for his ready humor and for the guitar and/or parrot he usually had with him wherever he went.

Zimmerman left the partnership in 2008 and founded a brand research company called The Aberdeen Coalition. By 2012 he had relocated to New Orleans and worked in marketing for PosiGen before founding a new firm, The Edge Ideas, in 2014. For two years he also served as music director for Percy Sledge.

Zimmerman was honored with the AAF Birmingham's "Legacy in Advertising Award" in 2025.

References

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