HAMMOND, LA – July 7, 2026 – Shop Marketing Pros has formally appointed J.R. Portman, a ten-year veteran of the agency, to the role of President. The strategic executive move is designed to strengthen day-to-day operations and elevate the client experience as the company enters its next phase of growth.
The appointment reflects Shop Marketing Pros’ continued investment in operational leadership as the agency has grown in size and scale, a transition the company says is necessary to maintain the level of service its clients expect while positioning the business for what comes next.
A Decade of Experience, Now Formalized
Portman has spent ten years with Shop Marketing Pros, already operating at the highest levels of the business well before this announcement. As President, he will be officially responsible for driving company initiatives, leading the internal management team, and turning the company’s strategic vision into daily reality for clients and staff alike. The appointment recognizes both the leadership Portman has brought to the company throughout his tenure and the expanded responsibilities he is now stepping into, including new areas of accountability that will shape how the team delivers for clients every day.
Founder Brian Walker’s Evolving Role
Founder Brian Walker is not stepping away from Shop Marketing Pros. Instead, this transition frees him to focus exclusively on the long-term direction of the company, including technological innovation, strategic industry relationships, and staying ahead of emerging digital trends shaping the auto repair marketing space. Walker will remain closely involved in the company’s vision while Portman manages the operational structure that delivers on it day-to-day.
“J.R. has been an integral part of our leadership team for a decade and a driving force behind our success,” said Brian Walker, founder of Shop Marketing Pros. “This transition formalizes the operational leadership he already provides, allowing us to enhance the experience we deliver to our clients while we focus on long-term industry innovations.”
What This Means for Our Clients
For current and prospective clients, the leadership transition signals operational stability and mature, structured leadership rather than disruption. This kind of clear, intentional automotive marketing agency leadership gives clients confidence that the company isn’t just growing; it’s growing with the structure to support that growth. Clients working with Shop Marketing Pros can expect the same consistent, day-to-day management they’ve come to rely on, now under a President with a decade of institutional knowledge driving it, while the company’s founder dedicates his attention to staying ahead of where the industry is headed next.
About Shop Marketing Pros
Shop Marketing Pros is a digital marketing agency built around a single focus: serving independent auto repair shops. Built by former shop owners who understand the industry from the inside out, Shop Marketing Pros brings that same firsthand perspective to every strategy the agency delivers on behalf of its clients.
The agency’s services span website design, search engine optimization, pay-per-click and digital advertising, Local Services Ads, and social media management, all aimed at one outcome: helping shop owners get found, get chosen, and build customer relationships that last. Headquartered in Hammond, Louisiana, Shop Marketing Pros serves clients across the United States.
Media Contact:
Shop Marketing Pros
www.shopmarketingpros.com
Media ContactCompany Name: Shop Marketing ProsContact Person: Kim Walker and Brian WalkerEmail: Send EmailCountry: United StatesWebsite: https://shopmarketingpros.com/
