When it comes to the food scene in Toronto, there’s one public relations company that always has their finger on the pulse.
BPR Inc. (formerly Butter Public Relations Inc.) has worked with some of the biggest restaurants, celebrities, and brands in the industry. From The Cheesecake Factory Canada and Lagostina to Jackson Family Wines and Eataly, BPR is the company working behind the scenes to ensure each client gets the exposure they deserve.
Leading BPR Inc. is Founder and Principal Shawn Rusich. A Windsor, Ontario native, Rusich attended College LaSalle in Montreal for fashion design and briefly attended McGill before landing a full-time marketing position with an international fashion brand.
His passion for marketing led him to Paris, France, where he worked in marketing and sales at Chloé. But with a drive start something on his own, Rusich moved to Toronto to build his own empire and BPR Inc. was born.
We had the opportunity to talk to Shawn Rusich about working with Martha Stewart and his advice to those looking to get into the industry. Take a peek below!
What was your first job and how did it help you grow into the person you are now?
My very first job was at a mini-golf course. After working there for a few weeks, I left to work at McDonald’s. I think everyone should work in the fast food industry for a period of time; it really helped me understand organization, process and procedure.
What does an average day look like for you?
My days are consistently inconsistent. If I’m in the office, I’m typically working on all of the things that make a company operate. I run payroll, deal with taxes, vendor invoices, accounting, etc. On the flip side, I also work on the creative side collaborating with the team on product send-outs, events, ideation, strategic planning, and new business.
You’ve had the opportunity to work with a lot of great brands. What’s your advice to someone looking to attract the same caliber of clients?
I’ve been fortunate enough to curate a list of incredible clients, but that wasn’t always the case. I think what’s most important is choosing to work with brands that you’re passionate about, because you’ll do better work if you really believe in the client. It may not always be a possibility depending on the growth of the company, but it certainly is the ideal.
What’s the best advice that you’ve ever received?
Put 100% into everything, given the time you have to do it.
What has been the most memorable moment of your career?
There have been many incredible milestones since BPR Inc. was founded! Working with Martha Stewart to promote her 80th cookbook was huge, and landing our most recent client Eataly, was a real “OMG!” moment. It was exciting because it’s a brand that myself and the team have admired for years. I’m really looking forward to working with them to introduce Canadians to this unique concept.
What are some exciting things we can expect from BPR Inc.?
We’re always evolving and growing. We have new clients, international in addition to Canadian, who are doing incredible things! We strive to outdo ourselves with every event, product launch, and program we put together. Our team continues to grow, adding the best talent out there. From account management, creative, event planners and operations, we’re excited to be taking the next step.
To keep up with Shawn Rusich and BPR Inc., follow them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.