Haitian-American entertainment publicist Marie Driven says she takes pride in helping Caribbean artists get the recognition they deserve.
“Publicists play a crucial role in promoting and advocating for artists,” the Brooklyn resident told Caribbean Life on Monday, adding that it’s important to have individuals like her, who are “dedicated to elevating Caribbean talent.”
Driven said she has worked with artists such as Spice, Mr. Vegas, Jr Reid, Serani, Lexxus, Yellowman, Dermaco, Future Fambo, Patrice Roberts, Moyann, Marion Hall and Mr. Killa.
Through her work as a publicist, Driven said she can help Caribbean artists build their brands, increase their visibility, and connect with fans and industry professionals.
“This can lead to more opportunities for these artists to showcase their talent and achieve success in their careers,” she said, stating that she is “passionate about promoting diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry” and is “committed to supporting underrepresented communities.”
By highlighting the talent of Caribbean artists, Driven said she is helping to “create a more equitable and diverse music industry.”
Her recent client work includes: Elle; Inside Edition; The Spun; CBS Radio; Essence; Media Collab- Fox 5 | Playbook MG; NBC Miami; Client Press Run – Future Fambo; Press Hit- Playbook Award News1; Ninja Wav on Vimeo; Sway’s Universe; and Needlz On Fox 5.
Marie Driven, whose real name in Marie Theodore, said she is also an entrepreneur and public relations executive who started in New York City, working for prominent music, fashion, and lifestyle companies.
She is the co-founder and managing partner of the multi-disciplinary communications firm Playbook MG.
Driven said she manages a base of support and operations for clients from the mainstream to niche categories through strategic relationship building.
She said her roster of creative individuals and brands is “impressive”, stating that, for over the past 20 years, she’s “helped countless rising stars and worked with some of the biggest names in the celebrity stratosphere.”
As a two-time verified mentor for the Revolt x AT&T Summit, Driven has hosted “Office Hours” sessions for conference participants and, in 2021, was a featured guest speaker in the Unlocking Possibilities programming.
Driven said she represents “what it means to have a pulse on popular culture while also narrowing in on establishing a presence in emerging markets.”
She said she her knack for navigating cultural circles is “unmatched, particularly within the Caribbean community.”
In 2019 she traveled to Germany for the 4th CARIFORUM-EU Business Forum as a guest speaker for the Dscvr The Caribbean Showcase.
The year before, she represented the communication and public relations segment at the 2018 Black Web Fest “celebrating Black media, tech, and all things digital.”
Under Driven’s direction, Playbook MG helped Fox 5 NY News, in collaboration with Studio 5, to coordinate a special showcase called “Kings and Queens of Dancehall”, featuring talents such as Vybz Kartel, Spice, Protoje, Koffee, and Beenie Man.
Driven has also established a wide variety of corporate affiliations in the music and entertainment space. Clients include mega-giant Warner Brothers Music and subsidiaries such as Atlantic Records, specialized labels like Roc Nation and genre-based heavyweights VP Records, and smaller firms like indie label Ineffable Records, 21st Hapilos Digital Distribution, and streaming platform Audiomack.
In addition, Driven said she found her “footing” in music, working in public relations after an “immersive experience” with renowned celebrity publicist Lizzie Grubman.
Soon after that, she made headway representing rappers Remy Ma and Papoose before shifting focus to world music and fostering relationships with Marion Hall (aka Lady Saw), Sting Jamaica, and Mr. Vegas.
In time, Driven began taking on a broader spectrum of clientele. From athletes Jr. Reid and Walter Thurmond III to reality TV star Karlie Redd to Peter Gunz, a rapper and TV personality, as well as designer labels like streetwear brand Sprayground, filmmakers and their respective production companies, celebrity doctors, political candidates (New York-based), and other high-profile professionals.
