Photo courtesy of Mark Rupert
Mark Rupert is a coordinating producer at eTalk, and TIFF 2013 marks his tenth year of covering the festival. After joining the eTalk team in 2004, he became a full-time researcher in 2005—and the rest is history. As well as producing segments for Canada’s #1 entertainment show, he runs his own food blog, Food & Co, where he covers anything and everything that tastes good. You can catch his work on eTalk weeknights at 7PM on CTV.
Twitter: @Ruperson
Website: www.ctv.ca/etalk
Instagram: @Ruperson
Did you always want to be in the media? If not, what other careers were on the horizon?
I knew I wanted to work in TV production since I was around six years old. My mom hosted cooking segments on different TV shows and then her own shows. From watching and working behind the scenes I was always in awe of how it all came together.
Any advice for people getting started in your industry?
Work hard. If you put in the time and do a good job, you’re set. Making the right connections is important too.
What are your favourite media outlets, not including your own? (i.e.: what do you read/listen/watch?)
The New York Times (Sunday edition is my favourite with Travel, Arts, and Style sections and T Magazine), The Grid, torontolife.com, Details, GQ and Entertainment Weekly. CP24 is on at my desk all day.
Best interview you’ve ever had?
After interviewing so many people, you sort of lose track. One interview that sticks out was with Rachel Wilson (Canadian actress and former Breaker High star). She was incredibly friendly, down to earth and we just connected, making it a great interview. Asking Brad Pitt a question at a TIFF press conference once was quite thrilling. I almost passed out from being so nervous.
Worst?
Demi Lovato…a few times. If she’s not in the right mood she’ll give you one word answers. I also interviewed Ice Cube at the junket for 21 Jump Street and after sitting down with Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill (who were great), Ice Cube didn’t really seem like he wanted to talk. It was first thing in the morning, so maybe he’s not a morning person?
What’s the most important tip you can give PR pros?
No harassing. Gentle reminders are fine but calling every day is too much. If someone is in to your pitch, they’ll be in touch.
Best experience you’ve had with a PR pro? We love to hear about #wins.
It’s great when a pitch may not be an exact fit for our show but the PR pro personalizes it and tries to spin it to make it work. Always connecting it with celebrities is important for eTalk. We also love our exclusives so if you can offer one up, win!
I hate?
Radio commercials, slow walkers and rain in the winter.
I love?
Travelling, exploring, eating in new cities, Club Monaco, taking photos of food, bikes and street art.
Best place on earth?
New York, Paris and Tel Aviv.
Favourite app (or whatever you are downloading these days)?
Instagram and the Starbucks App–paying on my phone feels like we’re living in the future.
Pool or ocean?
Both, but it’s mostly pools for this city boy.
Favourite restaurant?
Campagnolo, Woodlot and Tabule in Toronto. Billy’s Bakery, Cafe Gitane and any of Andrew Carmellini’s restaurants in New York (The Dutch, Locanda Verde and Lafayette).
Voicemail or email?
Email. I’m always connected to my devices. Ask my sister, she can’t stand it.
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