Simon Property Group announces new outlets marketing director

KITTERY, Maine — Simon Property Group Inc., a global leader in the retail real estate industry, announced that Kathy Akopov has assumed the position of director of marketing and business development at Kittery Premium Outlets in Kittery, Maine.

In her role as the director of marketing and business development, Akopov will work closely with the Kittery Premium Outlets team, including General Manager Elizabeth Fourar-Laidi. Akopov is the first director of marketing and business development at the Premium Outlets and will be responsible for business development, media, events and strategic marketing efforts including digital marketing, advertising and social media.

In her role, she will also oversee public relations development and constituency communication, as well as address property issues and opportunities that enhance tenant, community and media relations, and she will take the lead on community-based programs.

Akopov is also responsible for marketing operations budgets, sales and revenue generation, and financial accountability.

Akopov has nearly a decade of experience in marketing. She comes to retail from an extensive nonprofit background which especially lends to her events and community relations duties at Kittery Premium Outlets. Akopov served as director of marketing and development at PAWS Atlanta for four years, where she was responsible for organizing special event fundraisers and budgets, managing staff and volunteers and working on strategic planning and development of new programs, among other duties. Akopov was also responsible for securing media partnerships and implementing a new technology platform at PAWS.

Prior to that, Akopov was a health communication specialist at ICF Macro. She graduated from Kennesaw State University with a bachelor of science degree in business administration in finance and a minor in business law. She resides in Dover, N.H.