MURTZ JAFFER

Resume

A highly versatile, innovative, and energetic Producer with over 20 years of multimedia experience across various platforms including newspaper, magazine, television/radio broadcast, and online journalism. Takes great pride in continuously striving to push the boundaries of traditional journalism through expertly integrating various media to develop dynamic and engaging narratives. Adept at leveraging personal relationships to successfully connect with newsmakers of the day and deliver top-notch results that exceed expectations.

Core Strengths

  • Chase & Segment Producing
  • Copy Editing & Proofreading
  • HTML /SEO
  • Investigative Researching
  • On-Camera Presentation
  • Multimedia Storytelling
  • News & Feature Writing Podcasting
  • Television Package Preparation

Relevant Skills

  • Assigns Chase Producers
  • Builds Rapport With Guests
  • Finds Unique Locations
  • Liaises With Senior Producers
  • Pitches Compelling Stories Daily
  • Sources Visual Segment Material
  • Writes Insightful News Scripts

Attributes

  • Analytical Multitasker
  • Creative Leader
  • Effective Time Manager
  • Enthusiastic Collaborator Innovator Problem Solver
  • Strategic Thinker

Awards & Honors

Corus Newsie Award Best Morning Show Content / Storytelling “Grammy Granny” | 2023

Reality Rocks Special Achievement In Reality Reporting | 2011

Centennial College Alumnus Of Distinction | 2008

Academics

Diploma In Journalism (Top Mark In The Program)

Centennial College
Toronto | 2006

Honors Bachelor Of Arts

English & Political Science University Of Toronto
Toronto | 2003

Experience | Current Roles
Associate Producer
The Morning Show (Corus Entertainment) | Toronto, ON | 2022 – Present

Lead segment production by leveraging vast personal network of agents, managers, and PR reps to establish partnerships and book the most prominent Hollywood A-Listers along with the newsmakers of the day. Spearhead the production of both hard news and lifestyle content by coordinating celebrity junket interviews, cooking demos, TikTok ‘hot or not’ segments, and fashion pieces. Secured the first televised interview with the ‘Grammy Granny’ less than 12 hours after Reina Lafantaisie presented Harry Styles with the Best Album award at the 2023 Grammy Awards.

Freelance Writer
Toronto Star | Toronto, ON | 2021 – Present

Write the weekly ‘What to Watch’ column for Canada’s largest daily print newspaper with the biggest audience in the country (with over 952,000 average weekday print readers and 33.1 million monthly digital page views). Contribute special periodic feature stories to other areas of the paper including the Sports, Together, and News sections. Highlights include a special op-ed on the societal pressure to give caught foul balls to children at baseball games, a detailed feature on All Elite Wrestling, and easily digestible pieces on How To Make Friends and Toronto Garbage Club initiatives in the city.

Chief Content Officer & Entertainment Editor
Inside Pulse | New York, NY | 2004 – Present

Lead the creative and business operations for a high-traffic entertainment site with 2M+ monthly visitors to provide news coverage on trending topics related to comics, gaming, movies, music, sports, television, and professional wrestling. Sole writer on staff to complete one-on-one celebrity interviews, serving as a pivotal flagbearer in the site being able to find its footing in mainstream media by securing coveted red-carpet positions at major entertainment events including the MuchMusic Video Music Awards, and the So You Think You Can Dance and The Voice finales. Secured five exclusive interviews with Donald Trump leading to the former U.S. President referring to Murtz as the “King of Canada.”

Experience | Broadcast Journalism
Associate Producer
Global News Morning Toronto (Corus Entertainment) | Toronto, ON | 2022

Personally recruited to join the Global News Morning Toronto team, after being lauded for superior guest chasing abilities. Approached to also chase produce for Global National, The West Block, and The Morning Show within the first week of landing at Global News Morning due to track record in quickly securing high-profile guests. Collaborated daily with three anchors and senior producer to ensure that the top stories of the day are delivered to viewers. Successfully pitched and created ‘Fun Friday’ approach toward the end of the week’s broadcast as an opportunity to showcase lighter stories for viewers and to roll-out teasers during the week to garner interest in these special Friday segments.

Segment Producer
CTV News Channel | Toronto, ON | 2016 – 2021

Exhibited a 95% chase success rate and played central role in finding and securing 5-12 guests per day for a national news network. Co-created a weekly ‘Mind The Gap’ segment which featured millennial and baby boomer panelists discussing issues of the day. Recognized for regularly planning the most popular segments on the CTVNews.ca website, pieces that consistently trended on the Chartbeat traffic monitoring system.

Associate Producer (Sole Segment Producer)
Pop Life (Season 3, 12 Episodes) | Toronto, ON | 2018

Led the coordination and booking of featured guests by leveraging industry reputation to convince panelists to participate in the program and to visit the studio in-person to conduct their interviews.

Freelance Story Producer
Canada AM | Toronto, ON | 2015 – 2016

Contributed to a top-rated national morning news program by preparing end-to-end news, lifestyle, cooking, entertainment, and music stories.

On-Air Reality Expert
Global Reality Channel | Toronto, ON | 2010 – 2011

Provided weekly insights, spoilers, and commentary for top reality shows including Survivor, Big Brother, and The Amazing Race as official spokesperson for the 24/7 reality channel.

Host, Co-Creator & Creative Consultant
Reality Obsessed | Toronto, ON | 2007 – 2011

Fused passion for reality TV with sound television production expertise to co-create Reality Obsessed, a documentary series capturing personal foray in the realm of reality TV. Gemini-award winning series ran for 3 seasons on TVTropolis and Global Reality Channel.

Freelance Producer
Entertainment Tonight Canada | Toronto, ON | 2006

Chased and produced entertaining story segments on high-profile guests including Jennifer Lopez and the Royal Family as part of the breaking news team while also producing exit interviews with all the evictees from Survivor: Panama. Was promoted to freelance producer only two months after being brought on as an intern.

Experience | Online/Multimedia Journalism
Chase Producer
Nexus Communications | Toronto, ON | 2021 – 2022

Produced ‘The Nexus Podcast’, an interview-based human resources program tackling thought leadership and the future of work by booking 10 business leaders for shows distributed to 10,000+ senior executives across North America. Helped to shape the editorial voice of the show with episode and guest suggestions and credited for booking the best subject for each episode in timely and efficient manner.

Freelance Writer
eTalk.ca | Toronto, ON | 2021

Covered two series (The Masked Dancer and The Challenge: Double Agents) for eTalk.ca. Developed detailed, comedic-styled episode recaps as soon as each show aired.

Editor
Weekendtrips.com | Toronto, ON | 2012 – 2014

Established an editorial focus for a new travel website by conducting extensive market research on competitor sites to help establish an original narrative for the start-up. Built and managed a high-performing team of writers across Canada (Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto) and the U.S. (Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, New York Philadelphia, and Washington) to strengthen local content authenticity.

Writer & Video Reporter
TOROMagazine.com | Toronto, ON | 2011 – 2012
Leveraged multimedia prowess to produce entertainment-related stories with strong Canadian content for an online magazine.

Freelance Writer & Entertainment Blogger
TVGuide.ca | Toronto, ON | 2007 – 2009

Composed 2-3 blog articles per week on television trends for TVGuide’s ‘Reality TV and News’ section. Wrote numerous TV preview articles for CTV.ca.

Experience | Print Journalism
Freelance Writer
National Post | Toronto, ON | 2009

Wrote the weekly ‘What to Watch’ column to provide 4.5M+ weekly digital and print National Post readers with insightful and educational commentary on diverse television offerings.

Entertainment Reporter
Toronto Sun | Toronto, ON | 2005

Successfully secured front-page story on first assignment by finding Toronto’s biggest Star Wars fan in less than 24 hours. Wrote several high-profile features including an interview with Shawn Ashmore for Earthsea, 10 reasons why Alanis Morissette getting a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame is ironic, and breaking story about a B.C. store accidentally selling Harry Potter books before its global release date.

Reporter & Managing Editor
East Toronto Observer | Toronto, ON | 2004 – 2005

Wrote top stories of the day on diverse local topics including articles on the area’s parking pad crisis and the McGuinty government’s $11.6M plan to purchase safer medical equipment for Ontario hospitals. Set the Centennial record for being the only student reporter to make the front page of each East Toronto Observer print issue throughout tenure.

Core Strengths

Chase & Segment Producing
Copy Editing & Proof Reading
HTML / SEO
Investigative Researching
On-Camera Presentation
Multimedia Storytelling
News & Feature Writing
Podcasting
Television Package Preparation

Relevant Skills

Assigns Chase Producers
Builds Rapport With Guests
Finds Unique Locations
Liaises With Senior Producers
Pitches Compelling Stories Daily
Sources Visual Segment Material
Writes Insightful News Scripts

Attributes

Analytical Multitasker
Creative Leader
Effective Time Manager
Enthusiastic Collaborator
Innovator Problem Solver
Strategic Thinker

Awards & Honors

Corus Newsie Award Best Morning Show Content / Storytelling “Grammy Granny” – 2023

Reality Rocks Special Achievement In Reality Reporting – 2011

Centennial College Alumnus Of Distinction – 2008

Academics

Diploma In Journalism (Top Mark In The Program)

Centennial College
Toronto | 2006

Honors Bachelor Of Arts

English & Political Science University Of Toronto
Toronto | 2003

Experience | Current Roles
Associate Producer
The Morning Show (Corus Entertainment) | Toronto, ON | 2022 – Present

Lead segment production by leveraging vast personal network of agents, managers, and PR reps to establish partnerships and book the most prominent Hollywood A-Listers along with the newsmakers of the day. Spearhead the production of both hard news and lifestyle content by coordinating celebrity junket interviews, cooking demos, TikTok ‘hot or not’ segments, and fashion pieces. Secured the first televised interview with the ‘Grammy Granny’ less than 12 hours after Reina Lafantaisie presented Harry Styles with the Best Album award at the 2023 Grammy Awards.

Freelance Writer
Toronto Star | Toronto, ON | 2021 – Present

Write the weekly ‘What to Watch’ column for Canada’s largest daily print newspaper with the biggest audience in the country (with over 952,000 average weekday print readers and 33.1 million monthly digital page views). Contribute special periodic feature stories to other areas of the paper including the Sports, Together, and News sections. Highlights include a special op-ed on the societal pressure to give caught foul balls to children at baseball games, a detailed feature on All Elite Wrestling, and easily digestible pieces on How To Make Friends and Toronto Garbage Club initiatives in the city.

Chief Content Officer & Entertainment Editor
Inside Pulse | New York, NY | 2004 – Present

Lead the creative and business operations for a high-traffic entertainment site with 2M+ monthly visitors to provide news coverage on trending topics related to comics, gaming, movies, music, sports, television, and professional wrestling. Sole writer on staff to complete one-on-one celebrity interviews, serving as a pivotal flagbearer in the site being able to find its footing in mainstream media by securing coveted red-carpet positions at major entertainment events including the MuchMusic Video Music Awards, and the So You Think You Can Dance and The Voice finales. Secured five exclusive interviews with Donald Trump leading to the former U.S. President referring to Murtz as the “King of Canada.”

Experience | Broadcast Journalism
Associate Producer
Global News Morning Toronto (Corus Entertainment) | Toronto, ON | 2022

Personally recruited to join the Global News Morning Toronto team, after being lauded for superior guest chasing abilities. Approached to also chase produce for Global National, The West Block, and The Morning Show within the first week of landing at Global News Morning due to track record in quickly securing high-profile guests. Collaborated daily with three anchors and senior producer to ensure that the top stories of the day are delivered to viewers. Successfully pitched and created ‘Fun Friday’ approach toward the end of the week’s broadcast as an opportunity to showcase lighter stories for viewers and to roll-out teasers during the week to garner interest in these special Friday segments.

Segment Producer
CTV News Channel | Toronto, ON | 2016 – 2021

Exhibited a 95% chase success rate and played central role in finding and securing 5-12 guests per day for a national news network. Co-created a weekly ‘Mind The Gap’ segment which featured millennial and baby boomer panelists discussing issues of the day. Recognized for regularly planning the most popular segments on the CTVNews.ca website, pieces that consistently trended on the Chartbeat traffic monitoring system.

Associate Producer (Sole Segment Producer)
Pop Life (Season 3, 12 Episodes) | Toronto, ON | 2018

Led the coordination and booking of featured guests by leveraging industry reputation to convince panelists to participate in the program and to visit the studio in-person to conduct their interviews.

Freelance Story Producer
Canada AM | Toronto, ON | 2015 – 2016

Contributed to a top-rated national morning news program by preparing end-to-end news, lifestyle, cooking, entertainment, and music stories.

On-Air Reality Expert
Global Reality Channel | Toronto, ON | 2010 – 2011

Provided weekly insights, spoilers, and commentary for top reality shows including Survivor, Big Brother, and The Amazing Race as official spokesperson for the 24/7 reality channel.

Host, Co-Creator & Creative Consultant
Reality Obsessed | Toronto, ON | 2007 – 2011

Fused passion for reality TV with sound television production expertise to co-create Reality Obsessed, a documentary series capturing personal foray in the realm of reality TV. Gemini-award winning series ran for 3 seasons on TVTropolis and Global Reality Channel.

Freelance Producer
Entertainment Tonight Canada | Toronto, ON | 2006

Chased and produced entertaining story segments on high-profile guests including Jennifer Lopez and the Royal Family as part of the breaking news team while also producing exit interviews with all the evictees from Survivor: Panama. Was promoted to freelance producer only two months after being brought on as an intern.

Experience | Online/Multimedia Journalism
Chase Producer
Nexus Communications | Toronto, ON | 2021 – 2022

Produced ‘The Nexus Podcast’, an interview-based human resources program tackling thought leadership and the future of work by booking 10 business leaders for shows distributed to 10,000+ senior executives across North America. Helped to shape the editorial voice of the show with episode and guest suggestions and credited for booking the best subject for each episode in timely and efficient manner.

Freelance Writer
eTalk.ca | Toronto, ON | 2021

Covered two series (The Masked Dancer and The Challenge: Double Agents) for eTalk.ca. Developed detailed, comedic-styled episode recaps as soon as each show aired.

Editor
Weekendtrips.com | Toronto, ON | 2012 – 2014

Established an editorial focus for a new travel website by conducting extensive market research on competitor sites to help establish an original narrative for the start-up. Built and managed a high-performing team of writers across Canada (Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto) and the U.S. (Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, New York Philadelphia, and Washington) to strengthen local content authenticity.

Writer & Video Reporter
TOROMagazine.com | Toronto, ON | 2011 – 2012
Leveraged multimedia prowess to produce entertainment-related stories with strong Canadian content for an online magazine.

Freelance Writer & Entertainment Blogger
TVGuide.ca | Toronto, ON | 2007 – 2009

Composed 2-3 blog articles per week on television trends for TVGuide’s ‘Reality TV and News’ section. Wrote numerous TV preview articles for CTV.ca.

Experience | Print Journalism
Freelance Writer
National Post | Toronto, ON | 2009

Wrote the weekly ‘What to Watch’ column to provide 4.5M+ weekly digital and print National Post readers with insightful and educational commentary on diverse television offerings.

Entertainment Reporter
Toronto Sun | Toronto, ON | 2005

Successfully secured front-page story on first assignment by finding Toronto’s biggest Star Wars fan in less than 24 hours. Wrote several high-profile features including an interview with Shawn Ashmore for Earthsea, 10 reasons why Alanis Morissette getting a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame is ironic, and breaking story about a B.C. store accidentally selling Harry Potter books before its global release date.

Reporter & Managing Editor
East Toronto Observer | Toronto, ON | 2004 – 2005

Wrote top stories of the day on diverse local topics including articles on the area’s parking pad crisis and the McGuinty government’s $11.6M plan to purchase safer medical equipment for Ontario hospitals. Set the Centennial record for being the only student reporter to make the front page of each East Toronto Observer print issue throughout tenure.