Zain Verjee

I’m the founder and CEO of theZVG, a boutique media advisory firm that focuses on groundbreaking communications products and vehicles in emerging markets. I created theZVG to bring a unique flavor with carefully curated, audience-focused principles, a lean delivery methodology and a deep rolodex, all infused with a proudly African DNA. I am co-founding a modern media academy called The Rundown. Fast paced changes in the media landscape are opening up new questions about storytelling, ethics, challenges and opportunities. By building a knowledge academy we can share experiences, access the pros and grapple with the tough stuff. Sign up for our beta therundown.studio I was the Executive Producer of Unstoppable Africa Presented by The Global Africa Business Initiative. GABI.biz This was a two day gathering on the sidelines of the General Assembly with the theme “When Africa wins, the World Wins” led by the UN Global Compact. I have worked with Bloomberg Live as Executive Producer and Host to create the Qatar Economic Forum in 2021 and 2022. During the Coronavirus pandemic, my team and I created covidHQafrica.com in partnership with MasterCard Foundation. It’s a storytelling, data and information site for Africa. My experiences as a former CNN anchor and state department correspondent has helped shaped my global relationships and views of the media landscape. TheZVG has worked with a deep lineup of organizations like Bloomberg Media, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Pfizer Inc., Equity Group Foundation of Kenya, the World Health Organization, Africa CDC, GE Africa, OCP, The Aga Khan Development Network, the Saudi MiSK Foundation, the African Development Bank and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa on their communications and public relations strategies. I’m personally excited about web3 and created ZeeVeeNFT on You Tube exploring the Crypto and NFT space. I am working on a project called the Luka Press Club and seeking new ways of storytelling and NFTs. I’ve spoken on platforms such as TED and Africa House. Im thrilled to be a senior fellow (non resident) at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Africa Program. I’m a guest opinion columnist on African issues for The National, UAE and I love writing. I live in Los Angeles and Nairobi, Kenya. I enjoy swimming butterfly, riding horses and i am training for a half marathon. I’m working on a detective novel set in Kenya.