Brant Fahey - President

A graduate of The Bachelor of Commerce program at McMaster University in Hamilton, Brant began his marketing career at Vickers and Benson Advertising in Toronto in their Sports Marketing Division. Brant's attention to detail was key to the success of the Gatorade (Quaker Oats) Grass Roots Summer Sampling Program and The University Campus Representative Program when the product was launched in Canada.

Brant then went on to work for Communique Limited, one of the countries leading Special Events Marketing firms. At Communique, Brant worked on the development and execution of several promotional marketing campaigns for companies such as Labatt Breweries of Canada, The National Hockey League, Warner Lambert, Lever Brothers, American Express Canada and Thomas J. Lipton.

As an assistant in Communique’s Sports Marketing Division, Brant also worked on the management and representation of several athletes including World Cup Skier Todd Brooker and Buck Martinez of the Toronto Blue Jays.

Brant joined Maraca in 1988 bringing with him a wealth of experience in the areas of conceptualization and execution of large scale promotional marketing and merchandising programs.
 

Bob Rowland – Vice President & General Manager

After studying Business and Economics at York University, Bob gained valuable experience working at Ontario Place Corporation in Toronto for 13 years. While at Ontario Place, Bob had an opportunity to develop his project management skills in a number of different positions including Manager of Marine Operations, Manager of Business Development and Director of Events and Entertainment. In the latter position, Bob was also responsible for the Symphony of Fire, the Chinese Lantern Festival and the Ontario Place Offshore Challenge and In-water Boat Show.

Bob has also worked on the Bell Canadian Open, spoken at George Brown College’s Hospitality and Tourism program and in 2000 was one of 10 event professionals appointed to the Province of Ontario’s steering committee for the Ministry of Training, Colleges and University’s new Special Event Coordinator Apprentice program.

Joining Maraca in 2000, Bob is an effective management professional skilled in the areas of operational and project management, and event development, planning, and execution who exhibits a strong aptitude for comprehending new concepts, technologies and opportunities and utilizing them to their full potential.

Ron O’Keefe – Director of Sales and Business Development

After completing Hospitality Management at Centennial College, Ron has spent the majority of his career in the sales /marketing field. Ron spent 28 years at Molson Canada where he held a number of key roles in B2B sales, brand, marketing and event management. As field marketing manager, Ron’s attention to detail was acknowledged for developing vertically integrated promotional plans for the 1995 Grey Cup in Hamilton, and the 2004 Grey Cup in Ottawa. Ron has worked closely with a number of major partners including the Ottawa Senators, Ottawa Bluesfest, Molson Indy, the CHUM radio group and Slo Pitch National to deliver the optimum consumer experience in all programs (like Molson Canadian True Fan and Molson Canadian Rockstar).

Ron has the innate ability to negotiate and promote new ideas. He was recognized for bringing a ‘first of its kind” innovation to the 2006 Ottawa Bluesfest in the form of a GREEN, bio-degradable beer cup. As brand manager for Heineken in 2003, Ron coordinated a new out-of-home campaign in for Toronto that included a street car wrap for the TTC. The agencies creativity was recognized with bronze media innovation award.

Joining Maraca in 2007, Ron’s strong leadership skills, broad based experiences and practical street smarts in sales and marketing allow him to lead our team in the development of preferred business partnerships with all clients and customers!