#teamXdesign New Member Spotlight: Zachary Andrus

Name: Zachary Andrus

Role: Digital Media Coordinator

Hometown: Covington, Louisiana

Education: Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication (Public Relations) from LSU. I graduated in May of 2015.

What makes you a good fit for your position at Xdesign? I am a creative thinker with experience in digital marketing and creative campaigning.

Before working at Xdesign, what was the most interesting job you’ve ever had? My first real job out of college was with the non-profit organization, Volunteers of America. A large part of my responsibilities involved traveling to each of the many departments of the organization to write news reports to be sent out to constituents to keep them updated on the work we were doing in the community. I met tons of amazing people in the Baton Rouge community, including Volunteers of America employees, volunteers and individuals we served who needed a helping hand.

Were you involved in any organizations while in school? For the majority of my time at LSU, I was a DJ at LSU’s radio station, KLSU. I met many of my best friends there, and I spent several hours per week on the air sharing my favorite music with hundreds of thousands of music-listeners in Baton Rouge. I am a music nut, so I had plenty to say and a lot of music to share.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Growing up, I was always drawn to the ocean, and I thought I wanted to be a marine biologist for the longest time. However, I was not blessed with a mind for math or science. Over the years, I developed a love for creative thinking and writing which has led me to my current line of work.

What does your typical workday look like? My typical work day involves lots of (probably too much) coffee, managing digital media platforms and brainstorming ideas to keep content as engaging and interesting as possible.

If you could switch job roles with anyone else at Xdesign, who would it be and why? I’ve always wished I could draw, and I’ve always been envious of people who were gifted in the art of graphic design, so I would probably choose to switch places with one of the designers. But don’t ask me to draw anything for you. It won’t be pretty.

If you could do any other job in the world, what would it be and why? My ultimate dream has always been to be a successful touring musician. I understand the improbability of this career path working out, so I treat music as a hobby. But if a producer ever heard my music and invited me to go off and record an album somewhere, I would likely jump at the chance.

What is an item on your bucket list? To become fluent in the French language. I’m hoping to do more traveling in the future, and France will be the first stop.

If you could choose one actor/actress to play you in a movie, who would it be? I’ve always been told I look like John Francis Daley.

If you were a superhero, which one would you be and why? Probably Ant-Man so I could shrink to avoid uncomfortable social situations.

When you aren’t hard at work, where might we find you chasing your passion? When I’m not working, you can find me either in the kitchen cooking up something good or writing/playing music somewhere.

Do you participate in any community involvement? I give blood whenever possible. And not only so they stop calling me every day. I do it because I want to.

Have you won any awards? In high school, I won second place in the talent show two years in a row. The first year, the star football player and I performed an interpretive dance to “Kiss From a Rose” by Seal. The next year, we were approached by two other classmates who had been involved in dance for years. We performed a professionally-choreographed dance to a medley of “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus, “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith, and “I Want to Dance With Somebody” by Whitney Houston. Yes, it was absolutely breathtaking.

What is one fun fact about you that others wouldn’t expect? I am actually terrified of frogs and toads. I think they’re disgusting, and I want nothing to do with them. I also hate pranks, so if you read this and decide to sneak a frog into the office, there is a good chance I will never talk to you again. If you’re okay with that, have at it.