Peter Ehrlich

Founder and Managing Director

About

With over 25 years in media, marketing, and consumer packaged goods, I specialize in storytelling, brand building, and audience engagement. My background spans journalism, radio, entrepreneurship, and product innovation, with a focus on creating ideas that genuinely connect with people. I was a columnist with The Toronto Star and later wrote and hosted programs on 1050 CHUM and Newstalk 1010. In CPG, my first product received an offer on Dragon's Den, while SexCereal became a SIAL finalist recognized among Canada’s most innovative food products. I later founded Blackstar Cowboy Coffee and Café Depresso Coffee & Club, brands built around the belief that products can create connection, conversation, and community. Outside work, I’m passionate about being a dad, meeting creative people, sports, good food, and the conversations that bring ideas to life.

Country

Canada

City

Toronto

Industry

Food Production

Skill

Choreography, For-profit, Event Production, Sponsorship, Presentations, Life Design, Constituent Communications, Coffee Roasting, Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), Psychology Education, Brand Development, Astronomy, Paleontology, Archaeology, Marketing Strategy, Brand Management, Product Development, Marketing Communications, Retail, Food

Experience

Founder and Managing Director

Cafe Depresso Coffee Company

2026-3 - Present · 7 mos

Toronto, ON

Founder and Managing Director of an online coffee company unlike any other. Café Depresso Coffee Company™ are masters of the dark roast. We craft smooth dark coffee for overthinkers, comeback stories, and people figuring life out in real time. Each roast reflects a chapter like Resilience, Reinvention, and Revolution because most brands sell energy, but we sell the ability to keep going anyway. Working with GoodLIfe Fitness and Contiki Tour. We are smooth coffee for tough times.

Founder

Blackstar Coffee Inc. - Acquired

2017-10 - 2025-6 · 7 yrs 9 mos

Toronto, Canada Area

Researched and formulated the world's only authentic cowboy coffee - infused with micro-fine eggshell supplied by Burnbrae Farms Inc, Canada's largest egg company. Sold across Canada and through Farm Boy. Acquired by Innovate Foods Inc., Los Angeles, USA. www.blackstarcowboycoffee.com

Managing Director

Big Life Living Inc.– Bio-functional Cereals

2012 - 2017 · 5 yrs

Formulated and marketed the first and only breakfast cereals and powders specifically for brain (IQ), heart (HEART) and sexual health. The cereal for sexual health went viral worldwide.

Columnist/ Producer /Toronto Star Writer/ Broadcaster

Toronto Star Columnist - 1050am & Newstalk1010 Talk Show Host, Writer and Producer

2006-7 - 2011-6 · 5 yrs

Toronto, Canada Area

Writer and creator of the acclaimed column in The Toronto Star called SINGLE DAD. Also served as columnist for Toronto Star's Parent Central and the world's largest men's portal, Askmen.com. Accolades from readers resulted in being invited to write, produce and host radio talk shows both at 1050CHUM and Newstalk1010. Creator, with ex-Breakfast Television personality and Global TV host Liza Fromer, actress, comedienne Teresa Pavlinek and psychotherapist Lori Dennis.

Marketing Director

Toronto Mendelssohn Choir & Orchestra

2001 - 2004 · 3 yrs

Responsible for creating/writing all marketing and promotional activities associated with the choir.

Director of Marketing and Corporate Sponsorships

The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and Orchesta at Roy Thomson Hall

2000-7 - 2003-10 · 3 yrs 4 mos

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir is Canada's most famous and oldest-surviving mixed-voice amateur choir. It has approximately 180 choristers and its own orchestra. Also have worked with members of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. I created and produced some of the Choir's most innovative concerts marrying art and dance to fantastic choral music. I was also responsible for both corporate and media sponsorship. Working with the TMC was indeed an honour and an amazing artistic experience.

Jack Layton - Special Assistant

City of Toronto

1999-1 - 2002-6 · 3 yrs 6 mos

Toronto City Hall

Served as assistant to Councillor Jack Layton at Toronto City Hall. Worked with constituents in Toronto's Riverdale Riding, located affordable housing, wrote and coordinated with the Mayor's Office.

Senior Director Of Marketing

Outward Bound Canada

1995-2 - 1998-6 · 3 yrs 5 mos

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Responsible for all of Outward Bound's marketing and promotional activities. Secured sponsorships with Enbridge, Toronto Life, Post Cereals,Newstalk1010