Rachel Vidaic
For me, it’s all or nothing - I don’t do anything half-heartedly. I’m passionate, resilient and a glass-half-full kind of leader, relentless in the pursuit of excellence for my clients and my teams.
QUESTION AND ANSWER
How long have you worked at Weber Shandwick?
Six years in London and Sydney.
Whats the best thing you’ve ever seen happen inside the Weber Shandwick offices?
Across six years, it’s hard to pick one.
If it’s not the First Commissions campaign where we asked students to respond to the same briefs given to the greatest artists of all time, and then exhibited their artwork at the feet of David in Florence, it’s the Music Makes it Home campaign with Sonos.
We went into people’s homes all around the world to scientifically prove that life really is better when you play music out loud. We laugh more. We eat together more. We are more likely to help each other out.
Two completely unique clients, both career defining, award winning campaigns.
Most recently being part of a global team that helped to turn aluminium coffee capsules into bicycles as part of the second life economy was rewarding.
In Five Words or less, how would you describe your Weber Shandwick colleagues?
Smart, passionate, determined, resilient and spirited
Whats the coolest (or weirdest) thing you’ve had to do for a work project?
Hosting global music journalists at Tomorrowland music festival in Belguim to celebrate the launch of a collaboration with Tiesto and Budweiser.
While Tiesto was on stage performing, beer tanks were connected to the speakers, the beer was brewed by the beats, and was sold as limited edition.
Hard to call it work.
If you need to get in the zone and focus on a project, what music is playing in your headphone?
I’d normally say fast and loud – a mix of house and hip hop, however most recently it’s been a combo of Rod Stewart, Dolly Parton and Springsteen.
Whats your favourite restaurant in Sydney?
Really tough to answer and I don’t have one. I love Frangos in Petersham just as much as I love Mr Wongs or The Century.
Al Aseel in Alexandria is my go during the week.
Do you have a favourite artist?
Botticelli
Where would you love to travel in the world to gain inspiration?
Always Italy. The charisma of its people, their food and wine, and the classical past and present. I’m constantly in awe of the elegance, architecture, design and fashion of the cities, as much as I am the rawness and beauty of the villages. It completely awakens my senses and I always leave feeling a real zest for life.
If you weren’t working in this industry, what would you want to do?
It always changes. Law was up there as a career when I was younger and I still have moments where I am lured back.
Other days I’d love to be in the beauty business to help shake it up a little – I admire people like Emily Weis greatly.
Whats the best piece of career advice you’ve ever gotten?
“Live life as if everything is rigged in your favour.” Rumi