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Home » ABOUT » The Publicist

Margo The Publicist

Since 1980, Margo Bates has worked on high-profile public relations projects and events in Canada, the United States and London, England.

Margo has a strong base of writing and editing. She is an expert publicist and media relations practitioner, and is the owner of Vancouver-based Margo Bates Publicity Inc.

Her background includes both corporate and agency work, which means she's been in her client's shoes. Her experience spans federal, municipal and local government agencies, private and public industry, not-for-profit organizations, and service groups. Margo understands how to provide value and how to build and sustain successful communications programs.

For fourteen years until 2011, her firm represented the BC Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund, Vancouver Park Board, and their joint event, Bright Nights in Stanley Park, a seasonal lighting festival / annual fundraiser for the Burn Fund.

She is the author of P. S. Don't Tell Your Mother, a humorous account of life in Canada's Pacific Northwest. Her second novel The Queen of a Gated Community is due out soon. She is completing a cookbook, Good Cookin' at Marge’s Diner … hundreds served!, and is currently working on her third novel, The Funeral Follower.

Besides writing, Margo is a gourmet cook, accomplished photographer and avid traveller. She lives with her husband in a seaside community south of Vancouver, Canada.

Expertise:

Writing.

Publicity.

Media Relations.

Public Speaking.

Facilitating workshops.

Book readings and signings.

Lecturing and reading for women’s studies.

Presenting and reading for book clubs.

Photography.

Testimonials:

" Margo Bates is one of the best media relations people in the business.  I've worked with her for years, sometimes on very challenging high profile projects.  I recommend her highly and without reservation."  James Hoggan, President, Hoggan.com.

"We hired Margo to manage and publicize the Bright Nights in Stanley Park Lighting Event project. By offering creative ideas and solutions, Margo and her associates worked with a large group of individuals on the operations committee, and managed to co-ordinate the individuals into a cohesive team. The work speaks for itself: the event is a great success." Vancouver Board of Parks & Recreation

"... We are proud to be associated with Margo Bates. For fourteen years, Margo and her associates greatly assisted our organization to grow into a dynamic charity that provides assistance to burn and trauma survivors throughout BC. Margo has never let us down and always delivers a professional product on time." BC Professional Fire Fighters Association and BC Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund

Public Relations and Event Experience (Overview):

1970 to 1980: Employment and special needs counsellor for Canada Employment in Terrace, Prince George, New Westminster and Vancouver, BC.

1980 to 1986: Press Officer at Earls Court Exhibition Centre in London, England. Public Relations and Marketing for Kanke Seafood Restaurants (The Cannery, Mulvaney's, Confetti, Joe Fortes). Sales Co-coordinator for Mark Anthony Wines.

1986 to Present: Owner, Margo Bates Publicity. Clients included BC Restaurant Association Annual Customer Appreciation Week, Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival, Gastown Grand Prix, Tour De White Rock, launch of the BC Wine Institute and its Vintners Quality Alliance Program (VQA), numerous restaurant, club and hotel openings, Fantasy Food 2000 fundraiser, closing of Oakalla Prison fundraiser for Burnaby Hospital Foundation, Diana's Dresses - Dresses for Humanity fundraiser for BC Children's Hospital, BC Central Credit Union AGM Annual Galas, Vancouver Park Board, Garaventa Canada, Integrated Paving Concepts/Street Print, BC Chiropractors Association, and the Langley Community Music School. Event manager, public relations and sponsorship representative for Bright Nights in Stanley Park. Public relations and sponsorship for BC Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund. Publicity for Vancouver Fire Fighters Local 18 fundraiser for 9-11 and 2007 World Burn Congress, Vancouver, Chilliwack Band's 40th Anniversary. She works with a number of authors, including Robert W. Mackay, James L. McWilliams, and Carol Tulpar, and handles publicity for Apollo Votary, an alt/rock band, and The Ocean Park Wailers, a Blues and Rock/Country band .

1991 to 1996: Senior publicist for James Hoggan & Associates. Account Manager for Century 21 Real Estate Canada. Publicity for Uniglobe Travel International, QLT Phototherapeutics and Orenda Forest Products, Ballard Power and David Suzuki Foundation. European publicity for QLT.

Volunteer Work:

Living in the Pacific Northwest communities of Telkwa and Terrace, Margo spent her youth helping to raise money for The Red Cross, UNICEF, Girl Guides, a variety of health-related charities and local events.

Since 1984, she’s been involved with Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland. Margo’s ‘Little’ sister Ana is now in her thirties, is married, with a daughter of her own. Margo says that her relationship with Ana is one of the best things in her life.

Margo and her late dog Harry belonged to Pets and Friends. For seven years, they paid weekly visits to an extended care facility of Peace Arch Hospital (PAH) in White Rock, BC.

She was a member of the PAH Hospital Foundation board for six years, and co-chaired its annual gala fundraising ball.

Memberships:

Margo is Vice President of the Canadian Authors Association Vancouver Branch.  She chairs the Program and Publicity Committee.  She's also a member of the Federation of BC Writers, and is an alumna of the Erma Bombeck Humor Writers' Workshop, University of Dayton, Ohio.