Since 1995, we have been building brands that deserve to be seen. And we create stories that deserve to be heard. Full service. Full funnel. Full power.
1995
The break away
Willem van Zandbeek starts in 1988 at the famous Eindhoven advertising agency Kothuis. Here, he seizes the opportunity to set up his own PR branch. This is how Van Zandbeek & partners sees the light of day on the Paradijslaan. However, due to a difference of opinion, he decides to buy himself out in 1995. Willem is just 44 years old when he starts completely on his own with former colleague Ad van Beers and the young strategist Jos Feijen. The great adventure called entrepreneurship has begun. Wife Thérèse is his great support and confidant in the background.
1996
The early years
Our agency is off to a flying start. We are bringing in one client after another and during this time, we are already working for long-time clients: Biggelaar Groep and Vebego International. In addition, we are getting started for brands such as Bouwfonds, Helly Hansen, PinkRoccade, Sony Ericsson, Telfort, Trespa, and health insurer VGZ. In no time, a bureau group emerges where 130 people work from locations in Eindhoven, Amstelveen, Maastricht, Nijmegen, and Brussels. Dips or dot-com crisis? Never heard of it. Even the aftereffects of 9-11 are hardly felt. Zandbeek Communication Group is growing into one of the largest independent agencies in the country.
Meanwhile, Willem is starting a second career: as a presenter at Omroep Brabant. He is thoroughly enjoying his status as a successful and well-known entrepreneur in Brabant.
2004
A family company
Selling or continuing to build? The expanded agency is still performing exceptionally well. And this also attracts interest from other agencies. Willem is in acquisition talks with an American network giant. It would never be taken seriously. Because in the summer of 2004, daughter Fleur (1980) begins an internship at her father's agency. And after a charm offensive in Madrid, where son Jasper (1979) graduates in the same year, he also goes for the chop. Son and daughter are brought in; the family business is born.
2008
Crisis years
Images of people walking out of a New York bank building with boxes in their hands do not immediately cause panic. The Zandbeek organization is just prepared for further expansion. To anticipate the expected growth, an additional office wing has already been rented. But the financial crisis is hitting hard and drastically changing the economic perspective. At the same time, a rapid digitization of the media landscape is taking place. Specialist digital agencies are springing up like mushrooms, while we are still positioned as a full-service communication agency. And we feel that. But then Jasper finds a letter in his mailbox: we have won one of the largest tenders in the communications industry. Our first framework contract in the public sector is a fact.
2012
Never waste a good crisis
While the effects of the credit crisis are still felt, Fleur and Jasper forge new future plans under the watchful eye of their father. All activities are concentrated in Eindhoven and the course is carefully shifted towards content marketing, an emerging specialty from the US that fits us like an old coat. And so 'Zandbeek 2.0' sees the light of day in 2012. We reposition ourselves as 'pioneers in content marketing'.
This countercyclical action is rewarded. We win prestigious awards and are highly visible in the trade media. A new peak is reached when our peers elect us ‘Agency of the Year’ in 2017. "A very strong agency in terms of content, they create beautiful work and are often seen positively in the press. They distinguish themselves in a positive way within the profession, are pioneering in various areas and have the courage to do things differently," according to the flattering jury report.
2017
A year with a jet-black edge
Willem is by nature not a complainer. But that changes in early 2017. He begins to suffer from various unexplained ailments. Contrary to his usual habit, appointments with clients are reluctantly skipped. No problem. Fleur and Jasper temporarily take over the leadership. We had already agreed that he and his Thérèse would take a sabbatical this year. However, after returning from a wonderful trip to Italy, a dramatic message follows. Willem would never step into his office again. On September 5, 2017, he passes away at the age of 65.
The unexpected passing of Willem inadvertently and hastily marks the start of yet another new phase. A chapter that Jasper and Fleur must write this time without their father. When they, as brother and sister, suddenly find themselves at the helm together, a steady transformation begins. When in 2019 the youngest sister Violette (1989) joins, all the children are working in the family business. Under the leadership of the young trio, a seasoned organization with its own signature gradually takes shape. Meanwhile, mother Thérèse remains closely involved as a proxy holder in the financial affairs. How proud Willem would have been!
2026
The Full Story for your brand
