February 10, 2012

Walmart Reputation Management Leader Shelton Joins Hill+Knowlton Strategies

Hill+Knowlton Strategies (www.hkstrategies.com) announced that George Shelton has joined the firm's Austin office as senior vice president leading the reputation management and corporate practice, effective February 15. Shelton will focus on strategic planning with an emphasis on reputation development, corporate social responsibility, messaging and targeted media outreach.

Shelton comes to H+K Strategies from Walmart where he served as the Senior Director for Insights, Advocacy and Outreach. In this role, he coordinated across multiple departments to promote the company's commercial goals and communicate its public policy initiatives. He also worked on the creative development and management of a nationwide reputation advertising campaign, issues management, message testing, and developing online and traditional grassroots engagement programs.

"George's experience managing reputation initiatives for the world's largest retailer has provided him a valuable skillset. He has a deep understanding of the importance of a company's public reputation and corporate standing, and that is something that will resonate with our clients," said Dan Bartlett, president and CEO of Hill+Knowlton Strategies U.S. "His familiarity with politics and consulting further underline him as a great fit for Hill+Knowlton Strategies, and we are looking forward to having him on our team."

"I'm excited to join Hill+Knowlton Strategies at a time when the firm has committed to providing more strategic counsel and consulting services that help companies manage reputation in the new communications environment," said Shelton. "I am looking forward to strengthening our client's corporate identities, particularly at the community level."