Media, Darling: Bonnie Laufer-Krebs

I have been working in the entertainment/news environment for more than 25 years with extensive experience as an interviewer, executive producer, writer and reporter. Before taking a job at Tribute, I ran the entertainment department at Canwest/Global Television for 10 years.

I have been employed at Tribute Entertainment Media Group as executive producer, writer, interviewer and coordinator for Tribute TV since August 2000. For most of my career I have spent a great deal of time in airports. I travel the world (OK – mostly Los Angeles and New York) to interview some of the biggest stars in the entertainment business. When I am not traveling, I oversee production of weekly entertainment/movie segments, interviews and features for tribute.ca. I conduct all one-on-one interviews for exclusive web content and produce weekly entertainment radio spots for Z103FM radio. 

I am also a senior writer for all Tribute Publishing properties, which includes lining up interviews with some of the world’s biggest stars and directors. In addition I write, edit and produce promotional spots, produce and write numerous half-hour and varied length movie specials for web/ broadcast. Plus, provide interview content to various websites like msn.ca and Tribute affiliated sites.

I also coordinate, set up and conduct interviews every year for the Toronto International Film Festival.

I’ve been married to my husband Jeff for 23 years.We have two boys, Jared (15) and Ethan (19) who is just going into second year at Ryerson in the Radio and Television Arts program, following in my footsteps.

Bonnie with Andy Samberg.

@movi_boni


Did you always want to be in the media? If not, what other careers were on the horizon?

It’s funny. Throughout high school, my sights were set on was becoming an entertainment lawyer. When I went to university, I started taking media and television courses and changed my mind thinking a career in the media was my real destiny.

Where would you like to be five years from now?
After winning the lottery? On a beach somewhere. Really? Running my own freelance company – supplying interviews for my award-winning entertainment website.

Any advice for people getting started in your industry?
Intern, intern, intern and be willing to WORK HARD. So many young adults come in expecting to meet Brad Pitt and George Clooney after working for two days. Be open minded, offer your help in any way you can. The more initiative you put in, the better the opportunities. Be open to criticism and never burn bridges! Learn how to create, design, develop a website. There is no doubt in my mind that having that experience under your belt will be invaluable.

What are your favourite media outlets, not including your own?
There are some great entertainment websites like IMBD, Variety and The Hollywood Reporter for research and movie info. I find the Internet the best place to look when I want to know what’s going on, or for research. Still, there’s nothing like a good magazine. I can’t live without my Entertainment Weekly and Vanity Fair. 

Best interview you’ve ever had? Worst?

So many great interviews over the 25 years I have been talking to celebrities. Favorites that come to mind are Colin Firth, Matt Damon, George Clooney, Gary Oldman, Clint Eastwood, Colin Farrell and my very favorite has to be director Joel Schumacher. Having the opportunity to interview Joel for 90 minutes at a Toronto Film Festival over 10 years ago has to be one of the highlights of my career. He is just so honest and real. I still want to pen his biography if he’ll let me!

Worst: Chevy Chase for Christmas Vacation. Arrogant, pompous ass. Enough said. I’ll take Tommy Lee Jones any day.

Best advice you’ve ever been given?
You work to live, you don’t live to work.

What rule(s) do you live your life by?
Don’t get stressed out (ha ha). Family is my NUMBER one priority. And count to ten before responding to emails that piss me off.

What’s the most important tip you can give PR pros?
Please – I beg you – return my emails or phone calls. Even if you can’t help me out, just RESPOND!!!!

Best experience you’ve had with a PR pro? We love to hear about #wins.
As I mentioned above, I have been producing and conducting interviews for 25 years. There are still some PR folk that I have been working with for the same amount of time, so it’s a comfort zone because we know each other so well and know what to expect from each other. 

The best PR pros (and YOU know who you are) are the ones who are honest with me. If they can’t accommodate a request, they are straight about it. No BS! The best PR pros are the one’s that will bend over backwards to help you out, call you back or return your emails. The best PR pros are the ones who understand what I need and know that I will do my very best to help them in return.

I hate?
When someone asks me for my information (what’s your circulation, where does your stuff air, etc.) over and over again. I gave it to you already. Can’t you keep this information in a file? If anything changes I will make sure you get an update. Sheesh!

I love?

My family. And, when I get upgraded on long flights for work. And, watching one of my favorite TV shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Reading?
Haven’t really had the time lately to dig into a good book, but I’m just in the middle of Girls Like Us: Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon and The Journey of a Generation by Sheila Weller. Before that I finished reading ROOM.

Best place on earth?
In Mexico, on vacation with my family during Christmas break.

Dinner guest?
Tough one, but I think having Jack Nicholson, Dustin Hoffman and Al Pacino over for dinner would be amazing. Can you even begin to imagine the stories?

Hero?
Wonder Woman. I can relate to her. 🙂

Favourite app? 
Google Sync, a great invention. And Blackberry Messenger.

Pool or ocean?
Pool.

Voicemail or email?
Email. No doubt about it.