Media Experts recently promoted Rachel Arts from managing director to vice-president of operations.
A release announcing the promotion said that Arts will continue to be responsible for critical decisions in media execution and workflow, while also overseeing business solutions, project management teams, and working closely with the finance team.
“Rachel has worked across the organization to ensure our processes, from start to finish, are best-in-class,” said Media Experts CEO Robert Jenkyn. “Her deep knowledge of the media business, combined with her technical skills, has helped automate and expedite our work, all to the benefit of clients. Her work has extended into the larger IPG organization and has brought value to the entire network.”
We asked Arts to tell us more about herself by answering some of our “Getting to Know” questions.
About the photo: Rachel with her partner Sébastien Pichette.
Favourite TV show of all time and why? Homeland. In the summer of 2020, I was diagnosed with Bipolar 2. The main character on the show has Bipolar 1, and it was nice to see a strong, imperfect character dealing with mental illness depicted on screen. I absolutely identified with her on some level.
Favourite book of all time and why? Atomic Habits by James Clear. It’s about habit building and putting systems in place to better any part of your life—be it personal, professional, physical. Many of the learnings from that book have applied easily to my work in media and operations.
Favourite thing about weekends? I get to be creative. I love to relax and work through some of the stressors of the week by painting. It has been extremely therapeutic for me.
Are you a morning person? What time do you set your alarm for? What time do you actually get up? Yes. My first alarm goes off at 5 a.m., and I usually make it out of bed by 6 or 6:30 a.m. and start work by 7 a.m. I am definitely not a night person—I’m usually in bed by 8 p.m. While this industry tends to have late nights, I get a lot done early in the morning.
Movie you love that almost nobody else likes? Starship Troopers. It’s hilariously kitsch. There are so many clichés, but they’re so well done that it makes it a great watch.
Do you have kids: what are their names? Yes. My daughter Caitlin, who is turning 14 soon, my son Donnie, who just turned 11, and my stepson Emile, who is nine.
Do you have pets: what are their names? I have two cats. Midnight, a black half Siamese, half tabby. She’s my emotional support cat. If I’m on a conference call and feeling stressed she will come over and cuddle with me. We also have Luna, a grey tabby.
Most important person in your professional life that you do not work with or for? I have to cheat a bit when I answer this one. I have worked with her for years, but she is just about to retire at the end of the month. It is without a doubt Lisa DiMarco, COO at Media Experts. She has been guiding me ever since I returned to work after my second baby and joined the operations team. All these years later, she is still my mentor and the one I always turn to for help.
Nicest thing a co-worker’s said to you? That as I grew in my career at Media Experts, I developed talents in so many areas that it was like a game of whack-a-mole with different teams trying to poach me from the other.
Favourite thing about this industry? It’s constantly evolving and that you have to change and grow along with it.
Least favourite thing about this industry? It’s constantly evolving and that you’re left constantly playing catch-up!
