Meet the Team
We’re a small team with big ideas and a passion for doing things well.
Darren DeLuca is the Principal & Founder of LUCA PARTNERS and brings deep expertise in public relations, marketing, crisis communications, and large-scale campaign leadership. With more than 15 years of experience across agency and in-house roles, Darren has led transformative initiatives for leading arts organizations, film studio distributors, tourism brands, artists, and creative enterprises.
His work spans nonprofit and civic engagement, complex stakeholder environments, and the execution of high-profile events including red carpets, film premieres and festivals, and citywide cultural activations.
Recognized for his clarity of vision, collaborative leadership style, and creative instincts, Darren thrives in moments that demand both imagination and precision-- guiding organizations through complex communications environments while elevating their visibility and impact.
When the laptop slams shut, Darren is either hosting a table full of friends and family or hauling his beach chair toward the nearest patch of sun.
Alex DeLuca is the Senior Vice President at LUCA PARTNERS, where he leads media and client relations, campaign strategy and creative direction. With 13 years of experience in public relations, he brings a dynamic blend of strategic insight and cultural fluency to every project, guiding brands toward powerful narratives that connect, inspire, and deliver results.
His career began with Warner Brothers, followed by roles as a publicity coordinator and senior account executive, experiences that sharpened his instincts for storytelling and cemented his reputation as a trusted partner to clients navigating today’s fast-moving media landscape.
Raised in Colombia and fluent in Spanish, he brings a global perspective and a deep appreciation for multicultural storytelling. What drives him most is the ability to craft and communicate clear, compelling messages that help clients achieve their goals and make their mark.
At LUCA, he’s known for his creativity, strategic vision and commitment to elevating brand stories in ways that resonate with both media and culture.
Phyllis Mercurio, Senior Vice President at LUCA PARTNERS is a veteran publicist with over 25 years of experience in entertainment publicity. Phyllis has built a career leading local strategic communications for major movie studios, specialty distributors, and experiential cinema brands. She has overseen regional publicity and promotions campaigns, talent relations, red‑carpet events and high‑visibility media strategy.
A trusted collaborator known for her ability to craft compelling narratives and translate creative vision into clear, audience‑driven messaging, she brings seasoned judgment and a steady, solutions‑oriented approach to every project. Her work is shaped by deep relationships across Boston’s media landscape spanning newsrooms, arts and culture desks, broadcast outlets, lifestyle publications and the region’s growing creator and influencer community, allowing her to connect stories with the right voices and amplify impact across platforms.
Paige Walker is an Account Executive at LUCA PARTNERS and brings a strategic and imaginative approach to partnerships, promotions, media relations, and event planning. With three years of experience in marketing communications and a background that spans the theatre and MedTech industries, Paige thrives at the intersection of creativity and precision.
Known for her thoughtful account management and a collaborative spirit, Paige is driven by the dynamic nature of the marketing landscape and a deep passion for working alongside creators. Whether coordinating standout campaigns or cultivating meaningful relationships, she is dedicated to delivering impact with intention.
A lifelong arts enthusiast and voracious reader, she brings a curious mind and a creative eye to every project.
Dawn Kingston is VP of Creative Services and Head of Influencer Marketing at LUCA PARTNERS. A professional photographer for over 20 years, her background in visual storytelling naturally expanded into full on branding, content production, and creative direction for major brands & campaigns throughout the course of her career.
She has also spent much of the last 10 years immersing herself in the influencer marketing space; including five years touring with top creators across the US, gaining a rare, inside understanding of how creators and brands truly work together. Dawn brings a creator-first, visually driven approach to brand exposure. Now based in Boston, she leads creative strategy and influencer partnerships at LUCA, helping brands connect with audiences through powerful visuals and authentic storytelling.