About Marilyn DeMartini

It’s in my genes…and in my jeans! From childhood tomboy to motorhead journalist, I LOVE to feel the rush of speed and adventure and then tell the story!

I have always had a penchant for telling stories. Even as a child, I immersed myself in mystery books, historical fiction and loved reading about ancient civilizations. I even read the colorful Encyclopedia Brittanica editions that lined the shelves of my bedroom (thank you mom and dad for that investment!), fascinated by all the details, all the stories. I wrote poems and greeting cards, I loved to act a role, did ballet, tap and jazz dance lessons—I was a ham! I listened over and over to all the famous musicals of the day, often singing, dancing and acting out the parts of favorite characters with my sister – we didn’t just tell—we sang–and became the stories we loved from “West Side Story”  and “Sound of Music” to “My Fair Lady” and “Funny Girl!”

When I took to writing, I embraced every word, choosing each carefully as I wrote journals, volumes of letters to friends, family and pen pals; I studied English, literature and found research papers fun—especially when my chosen topics baffled teachers, but earned me Valedictorian status in my graduating class.

 That commitment to the written word carried over to a journalism major, but weary of boring newspaper beats, I chose magazine writing and segued into public relations with various agencies. Telling clients’ stories earned me a living, but being a journalist always kept a place in my heart and career, fulfilling my creative energies and fueling my desire to see my stories in print.

I was proud to have been recognized by my colleagues as one of Boating Industry’s Women Making Waves

I started my own business on my father’s recommendation when the agency I worked for lost a big client and I lost my job. I chose my own clients and kept freelance writing, specializing in sports & fitness, then by chance got a referral for a PR position from a Chicago agency with the Drambuie On Ice World Champion Race Team. That opportunity changed my life and career and I became immersed in the performance boating world.

Then came video! Always at ease when talking to a crowd or public speaking engagements, my promotional work in offshore powerboat racing gave me the chance to be in front of the camera, instead of coaching clients behind the scenes. I interviewed  offshore racers for American Powerboat Television, a production company that covered the races, as I  wrote stories about them for Speedvision and other marine magazines.

Fast-forward to the advance of YouTube, Instagram and Facebook and now you’ll see my work, not only in print but also on social media channels, covering the marine industry through Boats.com, Yachtworld and Boat Trader. While still working with clients to tell their stories in press releases and promotional venues, I find comfort and fun in front of a camera, explaining special features, operations and stories behind the boats I review. But while the boats themselves fascinate me, I love learning and sharing the stories behind the boats—the companies, the naval architects, the designers, the builders and the owners! Their intriguing stories add layers of interest to the facts and figures, like the layers of fiberglass, carbon fiber and gelcoat that create the boats that fill my world!

What story do YOU have for me to tell? What makes YOU special? How can we position you and your company, product or idea in front of the right people, in the right way, at the right time? Let’s plan your success together and make it happen! I know there’s a story there…