During his three years at "Good Morning America" (GMA), Mark produced all entertainment segments, including movies, concerts and music. "I very quickly saw that the competition between 'Access Hollywood' and 'Entertainment Tonight' was nothing compared to the morning shows, which are really brutal and competitive. The stakes are so high, there is so much ad revenue involved. It was a tough, rude awakening."

Mark's day often started as early as a 6 a.m. rehearsal when there was music on the show, and often lasted 14 or 15 hours. As brutal as it was, he was successful enough to be tapped to be director of specials for ABC in January of 2005.

While Mark still helps GMA for big events, concerts and movies, he is now charged with leading ABC's annual specials and events, such as the Oscars and the American Music Awards. According to Mark, "I worked at the Oscars as a producer for 'Access' and 'GMA,' but in this new capacity, I sit in on rehearsals with a different perspective on things. ... It's interesting to step back. Now I am working with producers to make sure that the vision for the show is what the network will want and what is right for the network."

During the recently aired "Nick & Jessica's Tour of Duty," he got to see firsthand how the ABC brand affects the programming. "ABC is on an upswing and doing so well. The unit I work in is Alternative Series and Specials, including the reality shows. When we did the Nick & Jessica special, we brought guys from Iraq to the taping in Germany, surprised them with a reunion with their families. That feel-good, ABC brand ... it's about helping people, making their lives better."

While Mark remembers that an on-camera reporting assignment "taught me so quickly that I was not meant to be on camera," his Hofstra experiences included a stint as executive producer for "News & Views," working with instructor Randy Hillebrand. Friends included colleague Jenny Serravalli-D'Attoma '92, now senior producer for CNN Headline News "Showbiz Tonight," whose daughter and Bracco's son Kyle were born a day apart. "Jenny and I are still very close."

It was a Hofstra connection that led Mark to one of his life's most significant moments. Out one night in the summer of 1996 at Match on Mercer Street with his suitemate and post-college roommate Jack Hughes '93 (now an executive with Deutsch Advertising), both Mark and Jack met their future wives. Mark married Jamie in 1998, and the Hughes dated for six years before marrying. "We joke that we had both of our kids before they got married, and we met on the same night."

Mark's advice for those starting out in the business? It is no surprise that he recommends internships. Mark says "There are lots of Hofstra interns at GMA. When interns ask for advice, I tell them 'just don't leave.' The few who listen stick around and work for free some more, but eventually come on as freelancers and eventually get hired."

Good advice from someone who knows how to make the most out of an internship.