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Christa Steeves, Partner
"That's it! That's the insight!" This can often be heard emanating from Christa's office. Because she believes in it so fiercely. Where did she pick up such a strong belief in finding the perfect consumer insight AND the habit of talking to herself? Probably spending the last decade working for all of Atlantic Canada's best agencies. She believes great creative and marketing solutions based on solid consumer insights get results because it makes the work more memorable. Finding that insight has meant great success over 10 years as a marketing professional with some of the region's best agencies - Bristol, Cossette, Extreme and Target. Christa's worked with such diverse clients as Aliant, Atlantic Lottery Corporation, Anthony Insurance, Empire Theatres, Destination Halifax, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, North Atlantic, as well as national and international clients such as Research in Motion, Bell, and BDO. With her experience, she can make any brand walk a little taller, talk a little louder and all-around get noticed.
csteeves@sparkmarketing.ca
t 709.722.5583 x202
c 709.699.4991
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Andrew Best, Partner
If you've got a business this guy can grow it. If you've got a rose bush – not so much. Lack of a green thumb aside, Andrew is passionate about taking businesses to the next level. And he is a believer in online endeavors to do just that. His experience in the interactive world has seen him thread together website design and development, website analytics, conversion enhancement, search engine marketing, e-mail marketing, social marketing and viral media into a tapestry of success for many clients. He launched an award-winning website for Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism, one of the regions largest and most comprehensive online ventures. As Manager, Sales and Marketing of the Michener award-winning publication, The Independent, he helped make the fringe basement publication a serious player in the cut-throat media arena. He delivers a strong combination of client based experience and industry driven learning though his previous company Attract Global and participation in numerous conferences, training sessions and webinars delivered by global industry leaders.
abest@sparkmarketing.ca
t 709.722.5583 x201
c 709.746.3935
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Diana Fisher, Account Manager
Some kids like dolls. Some like ads. That's just the way it is. Having been fascinated with marketing at an early age, once the time came to start her university career she knew the path to take. A graduate from Memorial University's Bachelor of Commerce co-operative program, Diana brings a fresh set of eyes and ideas to SPARK. Diana has been involved in research and strategy development along with project management for many of SPARK's clients. She's contributed to everything from marketing plans for a local high-end furniture retailer to organizing one of the must attend events of the year, the UROCK Volunteer Awards. She has studied international marketing, consumer behaviour and marketing research. While working with a project consultant, she gained experience in examining and structuring quality market research. This experience provided her with the knowledge that good research and digging deep lead to great insights, which lead to winning solutions. Dubbed as 'a spirited and creative child' on early report cards, she is now earning straight A's at SPARK.
dfisher@sparkmarketing.ca
t 709.722.5583 x205
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Laura Bennett, Office Manager
Laura is the smiling face who greets us in the morning, and you anytime you come by the office. As our Office Manager (Receptionist/Administrator/Accountant) she fills many roles but does one best: keeping us all in line. That's a tough job in this demanding business, but she does it with aplomb and a cherry attitude. Laura joined us from the RCMP as a Detachment Administrator and Dispatch Coordinator. She has run offices with clockwork efficiency for many years and brings those skills to SPARK every day, where they are much needed and appreciated. We believe in surrounding ourselves with creativity at SPARK and that means artistry and self-expression are part and parcel of the personality of everyone who occupies a chair at our agency. In that respect Laura is no different. She is a Photoshop Artist and a body paint appliqué professional. Further, her work with latex make-up has made her the George Street Mardi Gras Champion three years running, occupying personas from the X-Men's Mystique to Medusa to Zombies. She even prepared K-Rock's affable DJ, Big Tom, as a very believable Incredible HULK. Is there such a thing as an artist in a business suit? We think so. And she works here at SPARK.
lbennett@sparkmarketing.ca
t 709.722.5583 x202
c 709.699.4991
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Mark Harvey, Interactive
Account Manager
Mark lives and breathes digital. He is also the mayor of most of this region's significant spaces on Four Square. He has over five years experience developing online strategies and marketing initiatives in the rapidly changing digital landscape. Armed with a Masters in Applied Communications and wicked dry wit, Mark has proven himself both strategically and tactically in the digital space.
Prior to joining SPARK, Mark worked with some of Canada's leading communication agencies including NATIONAL Public Relations and High Road Communications in Toronto. His previous web experience includes online marketing and digital strategy. His previous client experience includes HP, Microsoft Canada, SOS Children's Villages, Ontario Power Authority and Bayer HealthCare. Something we didn't know about Mark? He's a pretty good photographer. He's just the right mix of creativity, neurosis and technology that makes him the perfect fit here at SPARK.
mharvey@sparkmarketing.ca
t 709.722.5583 x204
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Des Ryan, Creative Director
I think therefore I write. I write therefore I think. Des spent some time pondering this one day and hurt himself. So he went back to pulling the engine out of one of his 1960's musclecars and forgot about it. But marketing and advertising and brand-building is never far from his mind. He captures creative lightning in a bottle then transfers it to the tip of his pen. He's won his share of awards and moved the needle on the bottom line of many brands. His work works. He's a wordsmith and a leading creative force who's been plying his craft for over 15 years. And he never met a challenge that couldn't be solved with time, teamwork and some good soul music. Des is a graduate of Memorial University and the CAAP Marketing Planning Program and has created high-profile advertising and brand positioning for clients such as Atlantic Lottery Corporation, Aliant, Toyota, St. John's International Airport Authority, Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism, North Atlantic Petroleum and the Iron Ore Company of Canada. His awards for these and other clients include a Gold Bessie and Bessie Writing Craft Award, New York Festivals Gold, Mobius Gold, Ice and Ice Craft Awards, and recognition by Applied Arts Magazine.
dryan@sparkmarketing.ca
t 709.722.5583 x207
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Mike Edmonds, Senior Programmer
Mike is a hard-working IT professional with a talent for translating plain English requirements into working solutions. Ever since he started using BASIC in the Commodore 64 days (yes he was two-years-old when he started programming), he's spent a fair amount of free time on the computer. And not in a "holed up in his mother's basement" kind of way. That's passion. He has Project Management experience with MS Project, dot-project, ITIL Software Development - he's well versed in Java, PHP, .NET, C++ and other languages. In Database Design he has a strong understanding of relational design using SQL Communications. AND HE RIDES TO WORK ON HIS BIKE!!
Since his graduation from the University of Waterloo, he has gained tremendous experience in Web Design & Development, Handheld Applications, Content Management Systems, Database Search Engines, and Animal Husbandry. He has worked with Memorial University of Newfoundland, University of Toronto, Hurley Corporation, Jessam Marketing, LeagueStat and HistoriCanada. We also believe he is Wolverine from the X-Men but are afraid to ask.
medmonds@sparkmarketing.ca
t 709.722.5583 x207
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Danny Chapman, Art Director
Daniel 'Danny' Chapman is a thirteen-year veteran in the visual communications industry. He is a true student of the ever-developing trends in communications media.
An education in both Graphic Design and Computer Engineering has provided the background to work across platforms ranging from print, multimedia, broadcast and the web. Speaking of the web, Danny can't live without it. He once found himself in a remote part of Ontario with no web access. He very nearly hyper-ventilated.
He has won multiple national awards in graphic design, a Gold Ice Award as a young creative in advertising and has been the lead Art Director on international broadcast productions 'Finding Balance' and 'Where's my Goat?”.
t 709-722-5583 x207
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Jennifer Wellsman,
Production Manager
One thing Jennifer Wellsman is not afraid of is going the distance. Probably a good trait in a Production Manager. She travelled to England and found a husband. Ran the London Marathon. Then returned to Newfoundland to row in the Royal St. John's Regatta. In between all this going and rowing and running she picked up all the things you need to know to be a first-class PM - attention to detail, great supplier relationships, the ability to find solutions (where others can't) and a sense of humour. And when it comes to running a studio - or a project through the production process - it helps when that person can see things from both sides. That's our Jennifer. She has been making things happen for clients like Irving, Air Canada Jazz, Maple Leaf and Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism and now she brings that know-how to SPARK. Luckily, she has promised to stay close to home.
jwellsman@sparkmarketing.ca
t 709.722.5583 x206
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Erin Austin, Graphic Artist
Erin confidently stands tall in the face of a design challenge. Actually, she does that with everything we throw her way. She is not to be trifled with. She built her SPARK-worthy strength as a graphic designer by combining industry experience with the knowledge that she gained during her years of post secondary studies. Erin started out at Memorial University and later attended the College of the North Atlantic where she graduated with a diploma in graphic design. To further her education, Erin packed her bags and temporarily relocated to Halifax. There she became a student at NSCAD University and after a short period graduated with a Bachelor of Design. She obviously likes to learn. Between the studying and the all nighters, Erin was awarded a silver medal for Graphic Design in the 2008 Skills Canada Competition. During Erin's time in school she quickly learned efficient time management skills as she balanced the multiple roles of being a student by day and an employed graphic designer by night. These years also left Erin with an undeniable expertise in many design programs such as the Adobe Creative Suite, Quark Express and a basic understanding of Flash. All while downing tons of gluten-free cookies. Erin incorporates the experiences that she has gained along the way into every day design challenges. Erin's uninterruptable determination makes her a valued member of the SPARK team.
eaustin@sparkmarketing.ca
t 709.722.5583 x207