Marie Driven (Theodore) – Celebrity publicist and recognized player

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

“I am a researcher. I looked for everything Caribbean. I need to find people like you. It’s about partnership and longevity. Trust me girl! As soon as this COVID-19 is over, it’s you and me!”

Her throaty laugh filled my ear. This was going to be a fun interview.

Let’s back up a bit. At the beginning of this year, I started to receive emails from Marie Driven. I realized that she was somehow involved in public relations because of her communication style. We quickly began to build a rapport. I appreciated her tenacity, dedication to her clients, and her intensity.

I had no idea the woman who I had been dialoguing with via email was such a force. She has been featured in: The Source, Medium Authority Magazine, Insoltric Entertainment, Caribbean Times, by Caribbean Magazine, HelloBeautiful, VIBE, Zimbio, she appeared on ENews as Influencer at New York’s Fashion Week, Hello Beautiful, and DMV.

The New York State Assembly has recognized her for her exemplary service; she was awarded a certificate of special congressional recognition, she has received merit achievements, and honoured at the Unlabelled Awards for her outstanding work in the communications industry.

Her client roster is diverse and is not limited to the music industry, but you cannot deny her notability. She has been involved in projects with the likes of: celebrity stylist Kidear Youmans, Peter Gunz, Wyclef Jean, Papoose Jr. Reid, Remy Ma, Marian Hall (aka Lady Saw), Sting Jamaica, and Mr. Vegas.

She is the face of Playbook Media Group, a company that was co-founded with her partner Jean Jones, and she is a known player in the entertainment scene. This beautiful Haitian native doesn’t play when it comes to: her career, her clients, her money or her reputation. I am proud to present to the Toronto Caribbean community, Marie (Driven) Theodore.

“When you start something that you didn’t go to school for, it is a challenge.”

What got me off the jump with Marie was her authenticity. Her energy was bold, and within minutes of speaking with her, I knew that she was a force to be reckoned with. I had a list of questions planned, but once she started speaking, the interview took on a life of its own.

“I was born in Bushwick, New York, and I am a proud Haitian. I speak Creole fluently, and I embrace everything that makes me a Caribbean woman. I actually fell into this line of work by mistake. My ex-boyfriend at the time – who happens to now be my business partner – used to do travel shows for buyers. At the time he represented a brand called Yardmanstyle Inc, and I decided to go on the road with him. My first time out, I personally helped him sell over $20,000 worth of goods. I think I shocked myself, but it gave me the motivation to want to learn everything about the fashion industry. It was not too long after that I was offered a position at Marc Ekco G-Unit. My journey had begun.

 My first position was as an account executive. Here, I basically showed, learned the in’s and out’s of the industry. Marc made sure I was prepared for the future, by introducing me to all the buyers. He obviously knew something I didn’t, because not long after, the economy took a hit. I ended up working for BP Records, and moved to their Queen’s office. I will never forget it. It was like a dungeon. I knew that this was not it for me, so I moved on.”

Marie started to grind. She made sure she stayed on the scene by showing up to clubs, and presenting herself as the person to know. She soon found a niche market with Reality TV stars. When she linked up with the Bad Girls Club, her aim was to give them more than their 15 minutes of fame. Not long after, she linked up with DJ Magic and began to represent him. Within five months he found a home at Hot 97, and has held it down ever since. This led to bigger names and larger commitments.

She was hype when she got the opportunity to work with Reggae superstar Lexxus, and was disappointed when he lost his Visa. This opportunity only led to a chance to produce a music video with Mr Vegas, Sean Paul, and Fat Man Scoop, and finally, one of her favourite experiences was when she met up with Junior Reid, and he became one of her clients.

“Junior Reid helped me get in. I was petty as hell. ‘Whispered to him, I told you I would get it.”

The story behind this quote is hilarious. She shared with me the story of the first time she met Junior Reid in Barbados.

“To be honest Simone, I think that he liked my friend, but she was paying him no mind. I used this opportunity to introduce myself, and it went well. I remember that my friend and I were trying to get into a party, and the bouncer was acting really funny. He would not let us in to V.I.P., and I was not used to that. I was used to getting into V.I.P. no problem, but this bouncer was not hearing me. When Junior Reid showed up, he had me join him and I walked right by that bouncer and whispered in his ear, ‘I told you I would get it.’ I know, petty as hell.”

Although they have had their differences, Marie and her partner Jesse Jones realized that they could make magic together. He helped her develop a business model that would pay her what she was worth. “We are the monster team. I know a lot now. I am a sponge, so I adapt. Our agency is not just a PR firm. We are more then that. We take care of photography, distribution, press releases, any and everything that our clients need.” Between the two of them, they have developed an impressive roster of current and former project affiliations, and they now act as a platform that reaches audiences in the millions globally.

“My job is to keep my clients going no matter what. You know the real hustlers from the fakers. When things happen, the fake ones don’t know what to do. My job is to motivate people. In this industry, my clients are not just artists they are also business people. They need me, and I need them, and it works out well.”

Marie Driven is truly a woman empowered, and I am proud to be working with such dynamic feminine energy. You can find her on her website at https://www.playbookmg.com/about, and you can definitely hit her up on social media at her handle @mariedriven.