In 1985, Paul Heppner joined his father’s company as an Ad Sales Account Executive in Seattle. In the 40 years since then, he has become the President and Publisher of Encore Media Group, leading a small, but mighty team through countless challenges, innovations, and new creative ventures.
Building on the legacy of his father, Philbrook Heppner, Paul expanded the vision and scope of the company to encompass more than performance programs. In 2006, he launched City Arts, a monthly magazine focused on the artistic community in the Puget Sound. He initiated partnerships with Seattle International Film Festival, Seattle Art Dealers Association, Bumbershoot, Seattle Pride, and many more.
With a mission to connect arts, culture, and community across Seattle and the Bay Area, Encore has thrived under Paul’s leadership. Embracing the changing ways audiences engage with the arts, he spearheaded the development of digital programs, launched a dynamic website to share events and publications, and introduced large-print programs to make the arts more accessible to everyone.
Through four decades of vision, dedication, and unwavering passion, Paul has built a space where creativity and collaboration flourish. We’re deeply grateful for his fearless leadership and steadfast support.