ZLR Ignition
ZLR Ignition is a full-service advertising and branding agency in downtown Des Moines that began in 1987 as Zimmerman, Laurent & Richardson. It handles brand planning, creative development, media strategy, PR and digital, with much of its work for healthcare, financial services, education, public-sector and nonprofit clients. It is a Google Premier Partner and a member of the ICOM independent agency network. Nobody pays to be ranked.
Why it’s hereNearly 40 years in Des Moines with named public-sector and healthcare accounts such as the Iowa Clinic, UnityPoint Health and the Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau. Number 14 of the advertising agencies in Iowa.
Who leads itXan McNelly, CEO and President.
Work they can showGovernor's Traffic Safety Bureau (Iowa). Behavior-change safety campaign built on personal consequences; the case study reports impaired-driving fatalities down 33%. Cemen Tech. Brand strategy and public relations engagement. The Iowa Clinic. Marketing campaign for the clinic's vasectomy service.
Estimated: $10,000–$40,000, typical for Iowa advertising retainers; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
A fit forIowa organizations, from state agencies and health systems to manufacturers, that want brand strategy, creative, media buying and PR handled by one Des Moines agency.
- Based in
- Des Moines, IA
- Founded
- 1987
- Team size
- 11–50 people
- Led by
- Xan McNelly, CEO and President
- Known for
- brand planning · creative · media strategy · public relations · healthcare
- Named clients
- Cemen Tech, Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau, The Iowa Clinic, Iowa State University, UnityPoint Health
- Best for
- Iowa organizations, from state agencies and health systems to manufacturers, that want brand strategy, creative, media buying and PR handled by one Des Moines agency.
- Selected work
- Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau (Iowa). Behavior-change safety campaign built on personal consequences; the case study reports impaired-driving fatalities down 33%. source ↗
- Cemen Tech. Brand strategy and public relations engagement. source ↗
- The Iowa Clinic. Marketing campaign for the clinic's vasectomy service. source ↗
- Recognition
- Google Premier Partner, 2026
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $10,000–$40,000, typical for Iowa advertising retainers; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
- Office
- 303 Watson Powell Jr Way, Suite 100 · Des Moines, IA · 50309 · 515.244.4456
Sources zlrignition.com, clutch.co, icomagencies.com · LinkedIn ↗
On this list
Also based in Des Moines
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