Artsbiz Public Relations is a Vancouver-based boutique public relations firm specializing in promoting arts and entertainment events. Since its inception, Artsbiz Public Relations has helped hundreds of clients increase their profile. Our creative branding strategies create relevance for your message and will help put your brand on the map.
Still not sure if Artsbiz Public Relations is the right choice for you? We are convinced that our qualifications speak for themselves. Here is an overview of our top creative talent:
Marnie Wilson
Founder and Director
Awards and Recognitions:
Bio: By combining her education from the University of British Columbia with her extensive administrative experience and a passion for the arts, Marnie Wilson formed The
Artsbiz Public Relations in 2000. While providing marketing and media relations services for numerous arts organizations, festivals and artists, she has cultivated a trusted relationship
with the media and a reputation with clients for providing creative solutions to their needs.
In addition to her overseeing a thriving public relations firm, Marnie enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, cooking, cycling, walking, reading and eating Sour Patch Kids candies (well
any kind of candies).
Douglas Heselgrave
Writer
Awards and Recognitions:
2010 Blog Critics Award
Excellence in Music Journalism
Bio: Douglas Heselgrave is a Vancouver based writer and editor who regularly reports for Paste, no depression, music box and other online magazines. His articles have been published worldwide in newspapers such as The Vancouver Sun, HK magazine, The Hong Kong Alternative and The South China Morning Post. He has worked extensively in the music business and has undertaken contracts for arts organizations such as the Vancouver Folk Music Festival and Harmony Arts Festival amongst others. In addition, Douglas is often called upon to write web copy and edit work for a variety of world renowned musicians, artists and composers. Douglas was a classroom teacher and educational consultant for more than twenty years and often writes academic material for publication. He has contributed his writing and editing skills to more than 100 textbooks, and happily considers academic contracts. Douglas is also an enthusiastic amateur musician who is doing his best to play guitar better than his thirteen year old daughter - who's gaining on him quickly.
Kevin Dale McKeown
Writer
Awards and Recognitions:
Canadian Newspaper Award (1978)
Western Magazine Award (1991)
Inducted into the Canadian Q Hall of Fame in recognition of his contribution to the gay community in Canada (2011)
Bio:
Kevin Dale McKeown provides editorial and strategic consultation services to Artsbiz Public Relations. Kevin has enjoyed a varied career in journalism, media relations and event management, a career launched in 1970 when he became the Georgia Straight’s gay news columnist and Canada’s first “out” gay journalist.
During the 70s and 80s Kevin was an arts columnist with The Georgia Straight, the West Ender and the Vancouver Courier, and later was managing editor of Vancouver Week, the Williams Lake Tribune, The West Ender, and Montréal Magazine.
In 1989 he launched a second career, in cultural event marketing, serving as publicist and marketing director with Vancouver’s Dragon Boat, Folk Music, Children's, and Writers Festivals and other cultural events.
As director of communications and community engagement with the Alliance for Arts + Culture from 2009 to 1016, Kevin handled media relations, developed and managed advocacy and engagement initiatives, and was co-producer, with the City's Cultural Services department, of the annual Mayor’s Arts Awards and managing producer of the cultural sector leaders’ annual Arts Summit.
Kelly Phelan
Marketing Manager
Bio: With more than a decade of public relations and concert promoting experience, Kelly's work has focused on media and community relations, promotions, strategic marketing and special events for clients in arts, entertainment, nonprofit and gaming. Prior to launching her own business in 2000, Kelly was the Marketing Director for Paul Mercs Concerts where she handled media relations, marketing and promotions for national concert tours including: Pearl Jam, Bryan Adams, Diana Krall, Lenny Kravitz, Ellen Degeneres, Bill Cosby, Riverdance, Grease, Chicago, Boston Pops and the Dixie Chicks. With her own company, Kelly marketed, promoted and booked comedy and music tours across the country and her clients included, Brent Butt (of Corner Gas fame), Red Robinson Management, Paul Mercs Concerts, Three Thirty Five Productions, CTV, Destination Funny and Ryan Water Entertainment. In 2005 Kelly went to work for Great Canadian Casinos to launch the River Rock and Red Robinson show theatres. Kelly served as the Director of Publicity Entertainment Division and handled the marketing, promotions, publicity and advertising creative for the artists performing at both theatres. In 2007 Kelly reopened her own company. Some of her most recent clients include: Coastal Jazz & Blues Society, The Vancouver Opera and Gateway Casinos.
Kate McConney
Social Media Manager
Bio: Kate brings over two years of full time experience in social media in a variety of industries including food, music, festivals and attractions. She holds a Diploma in Business Marketing with Honours from Fanshawe College in London, Ontario, as well as a Post-Grad Certificate in Event Management from Algonquin College. Kate has been the social media manager for many successful campaigns including for The Calgary International Film Festival, Pennwell, RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles, Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience, Downtownfood and Chocolaterie Bernard Callebaut / Cococo Chocolatiers Inc.
Looking to increase your company's visibility? Contact us today to put our team to work for you.
See for yourself how our creative solutions have driven the success of other organizations.
Explore our portfolio and client list.
We like to believe our work speaks for itself. Visit our portfolio page you will see examples of succesful campaigns.
But don't just take our word for it, see for yourself what others have to say about Artsbiz Public Relations.