Tracy Moore is the host of Canada’s longest running lifestyle show CityLine. From Monday to Friday on Citytv, Moore can be seen across the country trying DIY projects, learning new recipes and sizing up the latest fashions. Aside from being an energetic mom to two young children, she is known for her laid back style, easy laugh and love of fashion, fitness and all things shoe-related.
Born in Toronto and raised in Richmond Hill, Moore worked her way up the media ladder to her current position as host of CityLine. Her professionalism, work ethic and engaging personality helped her advance from CTV intern to CBC videographer, back-up host and Newsworld anchor, and eventually anchor on daily news magazine Toronto Tonight.
In the fall of 2005, Moore joined Toronto’s number one morning show, Citytv’s Breakfast Television as its live reporter. Within months she was backing up the show’s lead anchor in addition to covering live breaking news events. Moore took a brief break in 2008 to have her first child, Sidney Nicolas, returning to host CityLine. She also gave birth to Eva Simone two years later. Moore says being a mommy is hands down her biggest accomplishment to date.
Outside of her work on-air Moore made a name for herself as a volunteer early in her career by initiating a speakers’ series in Toronto high schools, talking to students about non-violence and media literacy. She counts as one of her top priorities boosting the self-esteem of young girls. To this end, she emcees the ‘Girls On The Run’ event every year.
CityLine airs weekdays at 9 a.m. on Citytv.
Twitter: @tracycityline, @CityLineCA
Website: www.citytv.com/cityline
Website: www.citytv.com/cityline
Did you always want to be in the media? If not, what other careers were on the horizon?
When I was in elementary school I went back and forth between wanting to be a miner (I loved rocks) or a Solid Gold dancer (I loved Darcy). By high school a teacher introduced me to the concept of journalism. That became the goal going forward.
Where would you like to be five years from now?
Five years from now I’d like to be sitting in this CityLine studio, hosting this show. I am living my own personal dream right now, so over the next five years my personal goal is to get closer to mastering the craft. This is one job I can see myself in for many years to come!
Any advice for people getting started in your industry?
Volunteer. If you have even an inkling of interest in the field, start volunteering and see what you like and what you don’t early on. Also, take jobs strategically. Don’t worry if you’re at the bottom of the totem pole. Take a position based on where you may be able to move. This industry is rare in the sense that people still move from being a TV station receptionist to being an on-air host.
What are your favourite media outlets, not including your own?
I read tons of magazines including Toronto Life, Vanity Fair, Chatelaine and Today’s Parent.
Best interview you’ve ever had?
Chris Noth. I was a reporter/host for Citytv’s former 24 hour news channel and Chris Noth came on as a last minute guest. The dude was grumpy! Through a bit of joking around and a bit of sympathy for his crappy mood, he totally warmed up by the end of the interview telling me all sorts of things about Sex and the City II he wasn’t supposed to leak and laughing and smiling. It was great.
Worst?
Jamie Oliver. He was super tired after being carted off from station to station. I could tell he probably didn’t register what city or country he was in by the time he got to our show. He was fairly unresponsive and even though the interview wasn’t abysmal – it stunk.
Best advice you’ve ever been given?
Don’t be afraid to have people underestimate you.
What rule(s) do you live your life by?
Be good to EVERYONE. Your smile can be the thing that lifts someone else’s day. And you never know who you will need or who will have the power to help you in the future.
What’s the most important tip you can give PR pros?
Watch or read whoever you are pitching. Know their product down to the smallest detail. And then pitch based on fitting into what’s already there. And be brief. When I get pitches that last a full page and a half on my smart phone they get an instant delete.
Best experience you’ve had with a PR pro? We love to hear about #wins.
Any instance where a PR pro is able to make a situation work for everyone!
I hate?
Cold weather.
I love?
Summer, babies, chocolate, coffee, books.
Reading?
The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides.
Best place on earth?
Jamaica or Montreal.
Dinner guest?
Oprah.
Hero?
Marjorie and Leonard Moore (mom and dad).
Favourite app (or whatever you are downloading these days)?
The Makeup IQ app. So fun!
Pool or ocean?
Ocean.
Voicemail or email?
Email.
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