Pacific Media Group Promotions Director Receives PBN Honor
Sherri Hamamura Grimes of Pacific Media Group was selected as one of Pacific Business News’ 2019 Women Who Mean Business honorees.
Grimes is the director of promotions for Pacific Media Group, Sales & Marketing.
Pacific Media Group in Kahului owns and operates news websites Maui Now and Big Island Now, as well as radio stations on Maui, Hawai‘i Island and Kaua‘i.
“Her energetic and enthusiastic style leads the stations to top-notch promotions in planning, managing, executing and onsite presences,” her nomination submission said. “Her marketing and promotional expertise is what has built many lasting relationships with her clients and promotional partners across the state.”
Grimes started working at a young age, helping out after school and weekends at Island Service, her family’s business on Kaua‘i. She began working in sales and marketing in her youth as well, selling newspapers and Christmas cards door-to-door.
Then came the big move to Maui in 1990, where she was hired as the director of promotion, sales and marketing at PMG. She also owns and operates her own marketing and events businesses, Events on Maui and Sherri G. Marketing.
For the past 14 years, Grimes has also served as the managing director of the Maui Fair, the island’s largest event. With nearly 100,000 attendees, the event brings together the community, nonprofits, clubs, teams, churches. schools and businesses—keiki to kupuna—to “perpetuate the traditions, values and culture of generations through participation by all.”
Grimes also has been a member of 14 nonprofit leadership teams, including the American Lung Association, American Cancer Society, Maui Chamber of Commerce and Maui Community Food Bank.
At PMG, Grimes was the top revenue setter for 29 years, helping to lead its radio stations to a top five ranking.
“Our company and community are privileged to have Sherri,” said PMG COO Jack Dugan. “She is an outstanding professional with endless ideas and admirable work ethics. More than this, Sherri is someone who genuinely cares about all of the people around her, all of the time!”
“She is always the first person working in the morning and the last to leave at the end of the day,” said PMG Vice President of Administration Ilene Alford. “Sherri is one of the refreshingly rare women who helps to motivate and support other women, never holding others down for her own benefit. Sherri is a loyal friend, colleague and sounding board. Despite all the time Sherri devotes to work and other obligations, she still makes time for her family and her health. She is very deserving of this honor; anyone who knows her can attest to this.”
Grimes was nominated by longtime friend and colleague Toni Rojas, who wrote, “As a highly recognized leader with honesty and integrity, Sherri has taken PMG to the highest of business success through her strong communication skills and unwavering accountability.”
Rojas describes her as “professional and personable, committed and passionate, creative and innovative… a person who leads by example and a highly regarded collaborator and decision-maker.”
Rojas is the vice president of Business & Community Development at Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center in Kahului. Grimes has worked closely with Rojas since she joined QKC a few years ago and they also co-chair the marketing for Blue Zones Project.
Rojas has known Grimes for many years, “crossing paths with various projects and events,” Grimes said. “More recently I’ve had the privilege to work closer with Toni when she joined QKC a few years ago and we also co-chair the marketing for Blue Zones Project.”
Rojas went on to say that Grimes is personally committed to her community, “not just because she lives on Maui, but because of her unwavering commitment to enhance lives.”
This year’s honorees will be celebrated at an event to be held Thursday, March 14, 2019, at The Royal Hawaiian. Tickets are available here.
This is PBN’s 21st year honoring women who work in a wide range of industries in both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors.
For a complete list of statewide honorees, click here.