Lauren Pierce Joins SPARKS! As Operations and Client Services Manager

SPARKS! is pleased to welcome Lauren Pierce as our new Operations and Client Services Manager. In addition to her administrative responsibilities, Lauren will direct our non-profit and SMB client services and development efforts.

A graduate of Penn State University, Lauren joins our team after a career in campaign management and development for the Maryland chapter of a major national non-profit organization. She has extensive organizational and operational experience in addition to her marketing and social media capabilities.

When she’s not helping our clients, Lauren also serves as an assistant coach for Maryvale Prep’s 2015-16 Maryland IAAM-A Champion cross-country and track and field teams.

SPARKS! Wins Two Video and Branding Awards

SPARKS! has been honored twice at the 2015 W3 Awards presented by the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts.

The Silver Awards for Videography & Cinematography and Promotional & Branding were awarded for SPARKS!’ promo video produced for the book “On Walnut Hill: The Evolution of a Garden.” The video presented an aerial tour of the nationally-recognized Baltimore gardens of A.C. and Penney Hubbard, who’s story and efforts have been shared beautifully in the book by noted gardening author, Kathy Hudson, and award-winning photographer, Roger Foley.

“We’re very proud of how we were able to capture the physical presence and scale of these amazing gardens, and even more proud of the recognition we’ve received from our peers. David Simpson (director of photography) truly has an ability to visually present environments with great perspective of beauty and scale,” said Greg Pierce, president of SPARKS!.

About the Awards

The W³ Awards honors creative excellence on the web, and recognizes the people behind award-winning sites, marketing programs, social content, mobile site/apps and online video. In honoring the best of the Web, the W³ Awards is the first major web competition to be accessible to the biggest agencies, the smallest firms, and everyone in between. Small firms are as likely to win as Fortune 500 companies and international agencies. In its tenth year the W³ Awards received over 5,000 entries from Ad agencies, Public Relations Firms, Interactive Agencies, In-house creative professionals, Web Designers, Graphic Designers and Web Enthusiasts.

A Christmas Song From SPARKS!

Our 2015 Christmas Song video is now online – see what all the buzz is about!

SPARKS! Is Hiring Social Media, Digital and Video Assistants

SPARKS! is currently seeking social media, digital marketing and video production assistants to join our growing team.

And, applications for 2016 internships are now being accepted. Interested? Please visit our Employment page for more information.

SPARKS! Launches Towson Acupuncture Associates

Please welcome Towson Acupuncture Associates!

We’re happy to announce that Towson Acupuncture Associates, a new acupuncture practice founded by William Zvarick, L.Ac. and Karisa Grudi, L.Ac., has chosen SPARKS! for their creative, web, social media and internet marketing initiatives!

Bill and Karisa have over 15 years of experience in acupuncture, natural healing and wellness, and their new practice will focus on relief for headaches, migraines and pain, and natural treatments for fertility and pregnancy. Their new center will be located at 1001 Cromwell Bridge Road in Towson.

To learn more about the natural and healthy benefits of acupuncture, call Towson Acupuncture Associates at 443-275-2646, visit their website at TowsonAcu.com or follow them Facebook.com/towsonacupunctureassociates.

SPARKS! Selected For UMD Youth Reach Maryland Project

SPARKS! is proud to announce that we’ve been selected by the University of Maryland Baltimore School of Social Work, Institute for Innovation and Implementation to provide marketing and communication services for an effort called “Youth Reach Maryland.” The project’s goal is to reach homeless youth and young adults and encourage them to participate in a survey to obtain a more accurate count of the state’s unaccompanied youth population. The results will then be used to obtain funding for improved programs and services affecting this at-risk group. The counties involved in the count are Anne Arundel, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Washington, Prince George’s, Wicomico, Somerset and Worcester.

SPARKS! is excited to work on such a worthwhile project and our services will include branding, campaign and graphic design, social media and marketing planning and implementation and media consulting.

Hillside Press Selects SPARKS! For On Walnut Hill Book Promotion

SPARKS! was recently selected by Hillside Press to promote the release of the new book “On Walnut Hill: The Evolution of a Garden” by noted garden author Kathy Hudson and award-winning photographer Roger Foley.

“Over nearly a half-century, passionate gardeners A.C. and Penney Hubbard collaborated with renowned plantsman, the late Kurt Bluemel, to transform a two-acre hillside into a horticultural masterpiece. Listed in the Smithsonian Archives of American Gardens, the Hubbard’s elegant garden has been featured in national and regional magazines and as a destination for prestigious national and regional garden tours. The new book ON WALNUT HILL features essays and text by noted garden writer Kathy Hudson and the images of award-winning photographer Roger Foley. Bluemel’s fellow plantsman, Allen Bush, contributes a foreword. Featuring more than 270 pages filled with breathtaking photographs of the Hubbard’s exquisite gardens, ON WALNUT HILL details this couple’s passion and tireless efforts to create the ultimate living landscape.”

Visit their website at www.onwalnuthill.com.

Sparks! Welcomes Spoons Cafe

Sparks! welcomes Spoons Cafe. We’re proud to be working for a locally owned cafe that also roasts its own coffee.

Located in the Federal Hill neighborhood of Baltimore City, right across from Cross Street Market, Spoons Cafe has been serving exceptional breakfast and lunch since 1999. All of their menu items are freshly prepared, because they believe “Good Food Takes Time”. They also serve a variety of teas, but their specialty is their own in-house roasted coffee.

Visit Spoons Cafe to browse their delicious menu and drop in.

Randisi & Associates, Inc. New Website

Sparks! is proud to announce the launch of the new website for Randisi & Associates, Inc.

Randisi & Associates, Inc. are passionate about helping organizations keep out people who have falsified the application, have exhibited dangerous behavior in the past and are using illegal drugs.

Have you heard the saying “an ounce of prevention equals a pound of cure?” It makes sense in many areas, including bringing individuals into your organization. Serving clients in the Health Care, Property Management, Financial Services, Construction and Wholesale Distribution Industries, Randisi & Associates, Inc. deliver state-of-the-art employment screening, background investigation and drug testing services to companies throughout the United States.

Visit Randisi & Associates, Inc. or preemploymentscreen.com for more information.