Breakfast Television Winnipeg host Jeremy John wakes Winnipeggers up with a smile each and every morning!
John’s love of storytelling and meeting interesting and diverse people makes him a perfect fit for Breakfast Television. A Brantford, Ontario native, John graduated from the Radio Broadcasting program at Humber College in Toronto. Prior to joining the Citytv team, John has held a variety of radio and television positions including stints at Rogers Television, 680News, CHFI, The Fan 590, KISS 92.5, 97.7 The Beach, SunTV, and A Channel.
Outside of work, John enjoys spending time with his family, watching live theatre, and is a fan of just about any sport including hockey, basketball and football. He is also a proud supporter of various local charities including The YMCA, The Salvation Army and The Humane Society, as well as local community theatre.
A few fun interesting facts you may not know is that John once worked as a giant jelly bean, got punched by “Tiger” Williams and put in a headlock from John Cena, swam in a pool of cranberries, acted in a live weekly theatre soap opera and competed multiple times in the World Championship of Rock, Paper, Scissors.
Twitter: @BTjeremyjohn, @BTWinnipeg
Website: www.btwinnipeg.ca
Did you always want to be in the media? If not, what other careers were on the horizon?
I wanted to be an actor. I thought that Canadians just move to Hollywood and become famous. Ended up in theatre school, hung out with a lot of unemployed actors and decided to give radio a try instead.
Where would you like to be five years from now?
Here. In a bigger house. With nicer clothes.
Any advice for people getting started in your industry?
Be ready and able to do anything. Learn as many skills as possible. The person who can write and host and shoot and edit will get the job sooner than the person who can do less.
Also be a solution person, not a problem person. If there is an issue, bring it to the boss. But make every effort to bring a solution along with you. It may not be the perfect solution but the boss should see you as a person who always has an answer
What are your favourite media outlets, not including your own?
I watch/read/listen to all the local stations, newspapers, blogs. I also am a big fan of lots of the CBC programming, sites like reddit and boing boing.
Best interview you’ve ever had?
Cheech and Chong were fun, so were The Wiggles, but for very different reasons. I’m a huge Blue Jays fan so interviewing Hall of Famer Roberto Alomar standing in the infield of Shaw Park was a very big deal to me. Plus, he was super nice and hung out telling stories before and after the interview.
Worst?
Anyone who complains about having to get up early to be on our show. Sorry, honestly I am, but we’re here and ready for you. The least you could do is put on a happy face for the camera.
Best advice you’ve ever been given?
Fire it before it quits – a Roz Weston from KISS 92.5 quote – talking about my rapidly receding hair line. I started shaving it that weekend.
What rule(s) do you live your life by?
Family first. Fifty years from now I won’t regret not putting in more overtime. I would regret missing a T-ball game or an afternoon at the park.
What’s the most important tip you can give PR pros?
Make me understand how this is a benefit to my audience. Focus on how this will improve the life of my audience and the rest takes care of itself. The single focus should be the benefit to the viewer.
Best experience you’ve had with a PR pro? We love to hear about #wins.
Whenever the PR folks give me choices. Give me different ideas about how to present your info. You know your product, I know our show. Together we can make great bit of TV!
I hate?
People who make my job harder. If you do your work properly, than I can do mine.
I love?
Making the control room laugh, intentionally or not. It’s great to hear the very busy people (who normally aren’t really giggly) laughing at something I’ve done.
Reading?
Right now? Christopher Moore’s Sacre Bleu and Stephen Hawking’s A Brief History of Time.
Two books at the same time, you ask? One in the upstairs bathroom, one in the downstairs bathroom. Hey, you asked!
Best place on earth?
In the stands with my family at the ball park.
Dinner guest?
My wife. I know, you think I’m boring right. But she’s really fun, she likes me a lot and I don’t get to see her nearly enough. If I have to make a second choice, I would pick Eddie Vedder.
Hero?
Terry Fox. It’s a cliché for a Canadian to say that, but he’s a hero if ever there was one. A teenage kid who did so much for cancer research.
Favourite app (or whatever you are downloading these days)?
New stuff every day. Right now playing Monsters Ate My Condo, and Sid Meyers’ Pirates!
Pool or ocean?
Pool – I hate jelly fish.
Voicemail or email?
I can ignore emails easier, so I prefer that. If you need to get a hold of me, you should probably call.
