Getting to know the
PickleToonz CREW
John Zakour, The Writer of PickleToonz
Who is the guy making us laugh every week?
That would be John Zakour, a writer, author, and lifelong humorist who has been a pickleball ambassador for over a year. He’s the creator of the popular “The Light Side of Pickleball” Facebook page (with 23k+ fans!) and the comedic force bringing PickleToonz to life.
Wait, has he written anything I’d know?
Almost certainly! John has been a regular contributor to MAD Magazine, The Tonight Show, and even wrote for iconic shows like The Simpsons and Rugrats. He’s the author of over 100 books and his syndicated comic, Working Daze, has been a fan favorite for over 15 years.
So, he’s not just a pickleball fanatic?
Not even close! John is a true renaissance man. He holds degrees in Computer Science and Health Education, a master’s in human behavior, and is a certified Happiness and Positivity Coach. He’s also a former brown belt in karate and judo, an active tai chi practitioner, and a senior games athlete in javelin and ping pong.
Okay, give us a fun fact.
We’ll give you two! He once held the world’s high score in the classic arcade game Gorf, and while in college, he scored three goals against the world foosball champions.
John pours this eclectic mix of humor, life experience, and love for the game into every panel of PickleToonz, and we couldn’t be happier to have him on the team!
Brittney Mendez | Lead Animator, PickleToonz
Her Craft: A freelance 2D animator and illustrator from Los Angeles, Brittney is the magic behind the movement in PickleToonz. She specializes in short-form animation and character creation that is full of emotion and personality.
Her Passion: Brittney’s work is driven by themes of love, friendship, and personal growth. She’s the current Creative Director for Royal Toast Films, a small L.A. animation group.
Her Community: A passionate advocate for the arts, Brittney volunteers with Arts for LA. When she’s not sketching, you can find her on the beaches of Santa Monica, where she volunteers with Heal the Bay to help protect the local environment.
Her Vibe: Collaborative, creative, and community-focused. Brittney is dedicated to using animation to build connections and tell stories that matter.