TROY, MI, July 11, 2019 – Jamie Michelson, president of SMZ, announced today that Stephen Timblin has joined the agency as executive creative director.
With more than 20 years experience in the worlds of advertising and publishing, Timblin brings a passion for storytelling and teamwork to one of Detroit’s longest-running agencies. “Stephen’s sense of teamwork and collaboration as well as his creative conceptualization and leadership to deliver strategic results for clients match the daily climate at SMZ,” said Michelson. “We are excited to have him as part of our agency and look forward to many shared successes.” “The long roster of impressive clients is what first drew my interest to SMZ,” said Timblin. “But, honestly, it was the optimistic nature of the truly talented team here that convinced me SMZ was the right place to be.”
Timblin comes to SMZ from Organic, a full-service agency, where he led the creative department in Detroit, the agency’s largest office serving several Fortune 500 clients including Kimberly-Clark and American Family Insurance. Prior to that, he worked at Digitas as associate creative director and was responsible for a wide range of work for clients including GM corporate, Buick, GMC, Chevrolet, Cadillac and Owens Corning. Previous positions include time as senior editor of Disney Adventures Magazine, at the time the largest kid’s magazine in the country, and managing editor of The Rough Guides, a long-running travel guide series based out of London, England.
Timblin is the recipient of multiple Effie and WOMMY Awards, and has also been recognized by the D Show, Creativepool Awards, and Foreword Reviews. In addition, he has published several travel guides along with over a dozen books for kids. Timblin, a longtime resident of Ferndale, is a University of Michigan graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in English.
When not spending time running after his twin daughters, he can often be found stage right at a local concert, on his yoga mat, or continuing to research his ever-changing list of the Top 5 best pizza spots in the region.