Mariko Drouin, Chief Igniter

As founder and chief igniter of FiredUp Communications, Mariko manages communications initiatives for clients in a wide variety of industries including health and beauty, self-awareness, technology, and non-profit. She also enjoys working as a publicist for both fiction and non-fiction authors. Mariko specializes in assembling strong virtual teams to assist clients in reaching their objectives and her background in marketing, social media, public relations and design help insure their success.

Balancing a strategic perspective with a gung-ho drive for results, she brings a fiery creative flare to each campaign. Prior to launching FiredUp, Mariko served as the Director of Communications and Marketing for one of Chicago’s largest non-profit educational institutions. A graduate of California State University at Chico with a BA in Public Relations, she is a world traveler and addicted to discovering new cultures and places.

Mark Reitz, Web Design, SEO, Marketing

Mark has been adding a plethora of his imaginative and compelling websites to the World Wide Web for the past 10 years. While multimedia and print design were his initial focus, search engine optimization, usability, email marketing, Web analytics and pay per click followed closely behind–becoming part of his unique skill-set. Today’s digital landscape is in constant flux and Mark prides himself on being in the know about the latest techniques, trends and tactics. Mark’s vast experience in online marketing and his unique eye for design ensures his clients receive a good looking website that ranks well and converts traffic into customers. A graduate of Platt College in San Diego, Mark balances his time spent at the computer with a magnetic passion for outdoor activities such as surfing, snowboarding and mountain biking.

Skye Wentworth, Publicist

A pioneer and mentor in online book publicity, Skye offers more than 20 years of experience in media relations and an eye for design. She has served as director of public relations in advertising studios, executive director of performing art centers, and senior book publicist for publishing houses. Since 1996, Skye has consulted with upwards of 200 authors and directly promoted more than 300 titles. Through her boutique agency, Skye also promotes musicians, artists and illustrators, holistic health practitioners, nonprofits, and the occasional magician. Locally, she teaches social media PR for Newburyport (MA) Adult and Community Education, is president of the Cultural Alliance of the Merrimack Valley, and serves on the steering committee for the Newburyport Literary Festival. She is a graduate of Boston University with a M.Ed. in Media and Technology.

Abbe Sparks, Publicist

Abbe Silverberg Sparks has been promoting Fortune 500 companies and non-profit organizations for over 20 years. She has a broad background in all aspects of communications with expertise in media placement, cause-related marketing, writing and special events.  Over the years, she has enjoyed successfully developing and implementing marketing communications programs for some of the nation’s most prestigious companies that include Viacom Inc., Showtime Networks Group, the National Restaurant Association’s Educational Foundation, McDonald’s Corporation, Chicago Metro Association for the Education of Young Children and Steamboat Casino River Cruises.  She has worked with numerous government, industry and consumer groups, including The Partnership for Food Safety Education, The Partnership for Drug Safety Education, political action committees, the American Medical Association, and state and local health agencies.

Erin Inclán, Copywriter

A Pacific Northwest native, Erin has 15+ years’ experience in creative writing, marketing, public relations, and brand development, including integrated print and online campaigns. Early in her career, an interest in cross-cultural communications led to a position as assistant to the Dalai Lama’s Representative at the Office of Tibet in New York. In the mid 1990s, Erin was an associate editor and chat manager for Moms Online, an AOL startup that sold to Oxygen.com. Since then, she has worked as a writer, web editor, and marketing consultant in higher education, health care, high tech, cultural, and nonprofit sectors. Recent projects include writing and editing admission publications and websites for Simmons College and crafting brand messaging for North Bennet Street School, both located in Boston.