heather shimkos george | director of integrated marketing Since 1998, George has been a part of one of Detroit's most dedicated and creative agencies, lovio george. George is the director of integrated marketing and leads the overall advertising, marketing and media relations campaigns for clients such as Cranbrook, the 90th PGA Championship, The Parade Company (Target Fireworks and America's Thanksgiving Parade®), and was the account manager for the 35th Ryder Cup with The PGA of America and the Detroit Super Bowl XL Host Committee. George led the account for the Detroit Super Bowl XL Host Committee and worked with them to develop a successful national and local media relations campaign for Super Bowl XL that resulted in unprecedented positive national press across the country and consistent front page coverage. George traveled to New York with the Host Committee to establish relationships with key sports media such as The New York Times, USA Today and Sports Illustrated and worked with national and local media in the years leading to Super Bowl XL and on-site during the event week. With the Host Committee, George worked on all major press announcements and advertising campaigns; worked with the client to establish and negotiate media partnerships; was on the team that developed the Super Bowl XL image campaign; worked with the National Football League on media initiatives and events such as the Super Bowl XL logo unveil; led the media relations for A Detroit Salute, the opening ceremonies for Super Bowl XL; and directed the media relations campaign and assisted in the development of the advertising plan for the 2006 Motown Winter Blast working with more than 30 media partners and all local broadcast affiliates for their on-site event coverage. George was the account manager for the 35th Ryder Cup Matches and worked with the PGA of America for two years on all local and regional media relations initiatives and events such as the U.S. Captain Announcement, the Opening Ceremonies, Ryder Cup Gala and Ryder Cup week; developed the marketing and public relations plan that generated record sales at the Ryder Cup Merchandise Shop Public Days; and created a media relations campaign that resulted in more than 80 million positive media impressions for the Matches. She has led and worked on other advertising, marketing and media campaigns including Wayne RESA, Detroit 300, Michigan Women's Foundation, Target Fireworks and America's Thanksgiving Parade®. As the former media relations director for lovio george, she directed the media relations for Detroit 300; resulting in international coverage for Detroit with 130 million positive print media impressions and 2,000 broadcast stories, including a birthday salute to Detroit on Good Morning America and coverage in The New York Times, USA Today and Rolling Stone. Prior to joining lovio george, George was an account executive at Kolon, Bittker & Desmond, Inc., working on campaigns such as BMW's Drive for the Cure. She was a Public Relations Specialist for Valassis Communications, Inc. George began her career at Visual Services, Inc. as Publicity Coordinator for one of Chrysler Corporation's nationally touring programs. A graduate of Michigan State University, George received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications. She is a board member of the Founders Junior Council, the young professionals auxiliary board of the Detroit Institute of Arts.