After organizing meetings, events and large-scale productions for corporations and non for profit organizations, Marcus Gurske realized that other companies could use his expertise to motivate their employees and customers and thus increase sales and production. Frustrated by attending one too many poorly planned corporate events, Marcus founded Play It By Ear Productions Inc. (PIBE) in 1995.

Since its inception, PIBE has grown and incorporated several communication disciplines which have kept the company competitive throughout the unprecedented economic, social and technological change of the last ten years. By combining a team of dynamic and creative individuals with an intimate understanding of the changing corporate environment, PIBE quickly became a leading provider of strategic communications in Alberta.

With the production and management of high quality, cost-effective corporate meetings and events the company has build an impressive list of clients. Our dedication and commitment to our clients ensures that all of our work meets and even exceeds their expectations. Today, with a complete range of communications services, we draw on our expertise, diversity and creativity to help our clients react quickly to change thus giving them the competitive advantage to be successful.

Expertise

Our team has an in-depth knowledge of the inner workings of large corporations and come form such varied backgrounds as public relations, marketing, special events, multi-media production and the hospitality industry. This combined knowledge and experience truly gives our clients the insider’s advantage.

Diversity

Play It By Ear Productions is a diverse company working in a diverse province. From Edmonton to Calgary, our experience has made us experts in every aspect of event planning and media relations. From conception to execution, site selection to travel and accommodation logistics we make the planning process stress free for our clients. No matter how big or how small the event, we understand the importance of good planning. Our team works hard to seamlessly produce every element of each event with exceptional results.

Creativity

Although our company is comprised of four distinct elements; P.R. & marketing, event planning paired with concert production and corporate hosting, our clients have found that the ability to collaborate these four services is invaluable. Essentially, we are able to offer clients more product for their money.

Team Bios

Marcus Gurske – Principal

Marcus has 17 years of experience in the communications and government relations sector in Western Canada, and is accustomed to liaising between senior government officials and private sector management. Marcus has played a dual role in his ongoing consultancy with CTVglobemedia and Rogers Media – assisting in the provision of government affairs counsel and developing community awareness campaigns. Marcus has been working with CHUM Broadcasting (known today as CTVglobemedia inc.) since 2003 to bring a new, intensely local radio and television voice to Calgary and Edmonton. He was successful in a number of CRTC applications, which resulted in three new radio stations. Marcus also played a key role in the acquisition of Craig Media and the subsequent re-branding and launching of CityTV in Calgary and Edmonton. In early 2008, Rogers Digital Media retained Marcus to play a key role in the launches of OMNI Edmonton and OMNI Calgary, which are conventional multicultural/ethno cultural television stations, which went live to air in September of 2008. He currently provides ongoing strategic councel to the OMNI TV Alberta management team. 

Marcus has played key roles in successful political leadership campaigns of the current Premier of Alberta Ed Stelmach, the current Mayor of Edmonton Stephen Mandel and former Federal Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan. Marcus has maintained and further developed a strong relationship with all levels of government in Alberta and across Western Canada.   

Marcus has a Bachelor’s degree in International Marketing and Finance from Heidelberg University in Hamburg, as well as a graduate Honour’s designation from the London School of Economics in Business Communication.  

Brian Hetherington – Senior Consultant

Since starting his career as a journalist in the North of England, Brian Hetherington has more than 30 years experience in public relations management in Canada and the United Kingdom. During his PR career, before taking on his present role, he worked as head of British P.R. Operations of Philips Electronics, was senior manager of two Toronto public relations firms and Group Public Affairs Director for the Government of Alberta.

After leaving government, he managed the Alberta operations of Berger Hetherington & Associates, which has evolved into the present structure. He has provided public relations counsel and developed communications strategies for some of the more controversial issues in Alberta during the past few years.  These have included the firing of Edmonton Police Chief Fred Rayner, the permitting of Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries’ pulp mill, the upgrading of the Procter & Gamble Cellulose pulp mill in Grande Prairie, the liquidation of Canadian Commercial Bank, Gainer’s “hog wars” battles with the Alberta Pork Producers Marketing Board, WMI Waste Management of Canada’s expansion of the West Edmonton Landfill, and the application process for the Cheviot Coal Mine outside Jasper National Park.   He has also provided public relations counsel on issues management to a number of Alberta municipalities.

Under his direction, the office has achieved an enviable record in developing media relations programs for clients, has won national awards for special event development and implementation, and has developed successful government affairs programs for a wide range of clients.  It is in this capacity that he is participating as a member of the PIBE team.

He has led or participated in media interview training sessions in Alberta and B.C. for more than two decades.  These sessions have ranged from one-on-one interview preparation session for executives facing imminent interviews to full day group training and large group presentations.

Brian has served on the Boards of Directors of a wide range of cultural and sporting organizations throughout his time in Edmonton.

Kelly Moi – Strategic Counsel

Kelly has partnered with with PIBE on a variety of projects, lending strategic counsel, marketing communications planning and event management expertise. Kelly contributes over 20 years marketing and business experience providing senior marketing counsel, creative thinking and sound tactical execution to clients across Canada. Offering special expertise in the real estate, financial services, health care, retail and communications sectors, Kelly has lead national initiatives in customer loyalty and retention, brand development, research and intelligence, corporate integration, marketing communications, media relations, real estate strategy, promotions and event management.

Kelly has developed marketing strategies and tactical marketing plans for various clients including Deerfoot Meadows retail development, Canada Diagnostic Centres, TWC Financial Group, and Shaw Cablesystems. More recently she played a key role in developing the marketing strategy and communications plans for Alberta Beverage Container and Recycling Corporation. Kelly has conducted qualitative research projects for Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning and Arcis Corporation to align business strategies with client and stakeholder needs, attitudes and perceptions. Previously as Director of Market Research for Canada Safeway she directed all quantitative and qualitative research studies across Canada A seasoned event management professional, Kelly has produced events for clients including ConocoPhillips Canada, OMNI Television, Deerfoot Meadows, TWC Financial Group, Shaw Cablesystems, and CIBC.  The scope of events include multi-day off-site conferences and trade shows, golf tournaments, town hall meetings, award presentations, grand opening celebrations and ground breaking ceremonies for 50 – 1500 attendees.

Jasmine Politeski – Writer & Social Media Strategist

Jasmine is a graduate of the MacEwan Public Relations Program, as well as the MacEwan Arts & Cultural Management Program. She is currently completing her BA Communications at Simon Fraser University. She is a member of the Canadian Public Relations Society, Vancouver chapter.

As a member of the PIBE team, Jasmine has helped to manage, organize and strategically develop a variety of projects and communications campaigns. This includes “Finding Balance” – A Seniors Falls Prevention Campaign for the Alberta Centre for Injury Control & Research (2008 – 2010); the Integrated Marketing and Communications Campaign for the Alberta Beverage Container Recycling Corporation (2008, 2009); the re-branding of the Project Management Institute – Northern Alberta Chapter; and the Edmonton Regional Tourism Group’s – “Visit Edmonton’s Countryside” Campaign Media Launch (2008). Jasmine has also played a key role with event management and logistics for PIBE. This includes the official launch of the Alberta Diabetes Institute; the Edmonton International Film Festival (2007, 2008); the official launch of OMNI Television (Edmonton and Calgary); the Bounce 91.7FM’s Annual Birthday Bash (2008 – 2010); and the Edmonton Regional Tourism Groups Country Cuisine events (2009, 2010).

Jasmine also continues to develop her professional writing skills on a variety of projects with PIBE. The most recent being a whitepaper for the Government of Alberta on the “Digital Exposition of Culture in Alberta”. In the past she has also had the privilege of being a contributing writer for Vue Weekly newspaper and local arts magazine Fifty3. Jasmine has also worked with the University of Alberta on a number of events including the: CAUCE 2007 Conference, Access and Privacy Conference 2007 and Chancellor’s Cup Golf Tournament. In addition, she has worked on non-profit events such as the Works International Visual Arts Festival.

Angel Cheng – Publicity & Events Specialist   

Angel joined the PIBE team from the Mount Royal College Public Relations Certificate Program with a background in the MacEwan College Business and Management Program.    

As a specialist in public relations and event production, Angel has helped drive local PIBE projects, such as project lead in brand development for the Project Management Institute –
Northern Alberta Chapter; media relations and logistics for Alberta Centre for Injury Control and Research’s Finding Balance awareness campaign; events and galas for the Edmonton International Film Festival, the launch of Calgary’s Energy 101.5 FM and OMNI TV; and CTVglobemedia’s Juno Awards 2008 Gala Reception.  

Previously, as the Marketing and Communications Manager for One Horn Developments Ltd., Angel created marketing and communications tools focused on growth in the food and beverage sector. She also has extensive experience in international profile events such as the Men’s and Women’s FIS World Cup Downhill Ski Races and Ken Read Invitational Ski Races at Resorts of the Canadian Rockies- Lake Louise   Projects have also included production of the Jacobs Creek/Brancott Stoneleigh 2008 Winemakers Dinner; event publicity for Corby Distilleries- Pernod Ricard Canada in Calgary; and author publicity coordination for JAC Media Group. An active member of the International Association of Business Communicators- Calgary Chapter, Angel was also a Media Liaison for Southern Alberta in the 2008 Alberta Provincial Liberal Leadership Race.

Lisa Popek – Project Manager & Event Specialist

Lisa has recently joined the PIBE team with extensive experience in event production and management. In this capacity she takes a leadership role for all correspondence with clients, ensuring the critical path for events are followed and that the essence of the production captures expectations of the client. She take a hands-on approach in the planning and coordination of all relationships undertaken by PIBE.

Lisa’s most recent work includes Terra – centre for pregnant and parenting teens social awareness campaign and the Porsche Panamera launch. She looks forward to building relationships with new clients and achieving supreme levels of growth for PIBE.

Previously, as the Director of Education and Regional Manager for a Canada-wide beauty distributor, she planned and executed all internal and external events, seminars and workshops for the company and its affiliates. She is passionate about creating positive working relationships and producing successful event strategies that create a memorable experience reflective of the client.

Karin Locke – Graphics Specialist & Photographer

Karin joined the PIBE team in early 2008 as an Administrative Coordinator, managing all internal and external coordination, scheduling and organization of activities.

As a graduate of the University of Alberta with a major in Art & Design, Karin is PIBE’s official event photographer and graphics designer. Some of her most recent work includes the rebranding of the spring fundraising campaign for Terra – centre for pregnant & parenting teens. Some notable photography projects for Karin in the recent past include the 2010 Bounce Birthday Bash, the launch party for the Porsche Panamera in 2009 and 2010 and the Grand Opening of the new Yuk Yuk’s Comedy Club in Edmonton in 2009.