Innovative.Creative.Competitive Edge Strategies
John Mars Marketing Inc. is your marketing, public relations, web development, and special event management consultant. Founded by John Mars in 1988, John Mars Marketing has worked with clients of all types and sizes to increase exposure and sales. John Mars Marketing is formerly known as Mars Communications, Inc.
Mars was born in Chicago and is a graduate of Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Journalism, with minor emphasis in Marketing Communications and Healthcare. Currently, he is in the process of attaining a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA), and eventually hoping to earn a Ph.D in Communications.
His career credentials include being employed at LIFE Newspapers, where he was a Reporter, Feature Writer, Photographer and Graphic Designer. After working at LIFE, he also worked at one of the world’s largest not-for-profit service organizations, Kiwanis International, as the ‘Kiwanis Magazine’ Assistant Editor and ‘Keynoter Magazine’ as Executive Editor. Following this, he was recruited to the world’s largest publishing company, Hallmark Cards, in Kansas City, Missouri. At Hallmark, he served in the following roles: Manager of Public Relations for Crown Center, a $1 billion redevelopment project; News Bureau Writer; and Marketing Communications Editor for Hallmark Cards and Ambassador Cards. At this time, he also promoted the award-winning television program, “The Hallmark Hall of Fame.”
Mars also worked for the world’s oldest Catholic organization, The Alexian Brothers, at Alexian Brothers Medical Center in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. Here he served as Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations – Development Department. His duties also included: Co-manager of Marketing Communications, hospital spokesperson, writer, editor, photographer, graphic designer, surgery photographer and disaster team committee member.
Key Accomplishments, Recognition, and Certifications:
* Co-Vice President, Board of Directors, Friends of Fisher House-Illinois, which is located on the campus at Hines Veterans Hospital in Hines, Illinois.
* Member of the Advisory Board, Veterans’ Advocacy Group, DePaul University, Chicago.
* Author of the “Viewpoints” editorial, “Is College For Your Children?” The editorial was entered into the Congressional Record by an Illinois Congressman who termed the article “eminently correct and a great commentary.”
* An Honorable Mention Award for Excellence in the “Best Single Local Feature” category for feature article on Juvenile Diabetes, and presented by the Faculty of the Northern Illinois University Journalism Department.
* VISION Certificate of Excellence presented for Distinguished Achievement in the Communicating Arts for an article on “Teenage Suicide,” to Kiwanis International and Key Club International.
* Certificate of Appreciation, Texas “Governor’s Award” in recognition of Exceptional Service to the Youth of America Program in promoting “Operation Peace of Mind”, which helps runaway youngsters communicate with parents, friends and loved ones.
* Contributing writer, editor and photographer for the “Fall of The House of Gacy,” the only authorized biography of John Wayne Gacy, serial killer, by Harlan H. Mendenhall.
* Certified volunteer with the Illinois Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).
* Volunteer with the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation.
* Although not a veteran, Mars said he started YES TO VETS to support, thank and pay tribute to veterans, whom he calls “America’s Greatest Resource.”
*Member of the Chicago Writers Association