In Conversation with Renece Brewster
Renece Brewster is the CEO and co-founder of Visual Domain, Australia’s largest in-house video production agency. Under her leadership, Visual Domain was acquired by News Corp in October 2021, further accelerating its growth and opportunities.
Renece has a passion for emerging tech and has partnered with her hustle and grit to build a multidisciplinary business that spans multiple industries. She is also the CoManaging Director of Girls in Tech, a global non-profit organization that aims to empower women in technology.
Renece is driven by the belief that there’s no limit to what women can achieve. She loves helping people figure out how they can use their skills and talents to reach their goals.
How did you get into the Video Production Industry - was it by accident or design?
When I stumbled into the video production industry in 2008, Google had just purchased YouTube and online video content was in its infancy. My business partner, Daniel Goldstein, and I saw the potential for video marketing even though it wasn’t a common practice at the time. We would go and sell the “concept” of a video to clients—it’s hard to imagine today when video marketing is practically a necessity for any business. But we believed in what we were doing and we knew that we could make a difference for our clients.
One of the things that I loved most about being in the video production industry was the opportunity to be creative and bring my ideas to life. It was incredible to see how a simple concept could be turned into a captivating video that could engage an audience and tell a story.
Starting a business wasn’t easy, but it was worth it because it allowed me to live out my passion for video production while providing for my family. I remember all those long hours and hard work that went into building my business, but everything paid off when I saw how our videos impacted our clients’ businesses!
So far, what’s been the biggest challenge of your career?
One of the most challenging parts of having my own business was learning as we grew rapidly. As the video production industry evolved, our business grew, and we had to adapt quickly to keep up with the changing landscape. There were times when I felt like I was learning on the fly, and that was both exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time.
Adding to the challenge was the fact that I didn’t know anyone else who owned their own business. I didn’t have a network of fellow entrepreneurs to turn to for advice or support. It was a lonely journey, but it was also a valuable learning experience. I had to rely on myself to make decisions, and that helped me to develop the confidence that I needed to trust my instincts.
The most difficult part of the learning process was having the confidence to trust my instincts. As an entrepreneur, I had to make decisions quickly, and sometimes I had to trust my gut even if it went against conventional wisdom. It took time to develop that level of confidence, but I knew that it was essential if I wanted to succeed.
Looking back, I’m proud of the decisions that I made, even if they were unconventional at the time. I learned that trusting my instincts was a crucial part of being an entrepreneur, and it’s something that I continue to do to this day. The more I trusted myself, the more confident I became, and the better I was able to lead my business.
How has the Video Production industry changed during your time?
Since 2008, video content has become an essential tool for brands to connect with their audiences. Visual Domain, as a video production company, has played an important role in helping brands navigate this shift.
However, when we started video marketing was still a relatively new concept, and brands were only just beginning to explore its potential. But today, video content is everywhere, and brands need to produce high-quality, engaging video content to stand out in a crowded market. We’ve seen firsthand how video content has changed for brands over the years. We produce a wide range of videos for our clients, from traditional TV commercials to social media content, and we’ve seen how the focus has shifted from selling products to building relationships with customers.
Today, brands are using video content to tell stories and connect with their audiences on a deeper level. They’re using video to showcase their values and mission, to educate and inform their customers, and to entertain and inspire. One of the most significant changes we’ve seen is the shift towards more authentic and relatable video content. Brands are now using real people, rather than actors, to tell their stories. They’re using user-generated content and behind-the-scenes footage to give customers a glimpse into their brand’s personality and culture.
Overall, video content has become a crucial tool for brands looking to connect with their audiences in a meaningful way. And we’re proud to have played a role in helping brands navigate this shift and create video content that truly resonates with their customers.
If you could change something about your industry, what would it be?
One area for improvement is the increasing demand for more diverse and inclusive content. Brands need to be more mindful of representing diverse communities in their videos and avoiding harmful stereotypes. This means creating content that represents a range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
Another area where the industry could improve is in the use of new technologies and innovative techniques. Brands can leverage augmented reality, virtual reality, and other emerging technologies to create more immersive and engaging video content that stands out from the crowd.
What skill would you like to add to the ones you already have?
I’m really excited about Web3 and the metaverse. It’s like a whole new world where digital and physical realities come together. And I think video content is going to play a major role in this new universe. In the metaverse, video content is going to be essential for communication, entertainment, and advertising. It’s going to be a powerful tool that will allow creators and marketers to reach new audiences and engage with them in exciting ways.
One of the most exciting things about the metaverse is the potential for new content opportunities. I think we’re going to see a whole new wave of creativity as people explore this new universe and come up with new and innovative ways to use video. For example, imagine being able to create a fully immersive video experience where viewers can explore a virtual world in real-time.
Or, creating interactive videos where viewers can make choices and influence the outcome of the story. The possibilities are endless! Overall, I’m just really excited to be a part of this new frontier. I think the metaverse is going to be an incredible space for video content creators and marketers, and I can’t wait to see what kind of new and exciting content opportunities it brings.
What’s one of the most memorable things that’s happened to you, during your career?
Winning the Mumbrella production company of the year was one of the most memorable moments in my career. It was our first industry recognition, and it really validated what we were doing. It was an incredible feeling to be acknowledged by our peers and to see that all our hard work was paying off. What made it even more memorable was the fact that I didn’t even go to the awards ceremony. I never thought we had a chance of winning.
Instead I was flying home the night of the awards from a family holiday in Bali ,however, we got stuck at the airport due to ash grounding all planes, it was utter chaos and I was in a group of 8 so between the stress of that trying to find accommodation I was also getting calls from the team in celebration.
Instead I was flying home the night of the awards from a family holiday in Bali ,however, we got stuck at the airport due to ash grounding all planes, it was utter chaos and I was in a group of 8 so between the stress of that trying to find accommodation I was also getting calls from the team in celebration.
I remember feeling so proud of our team and all that we had accomplished. Looking back on that moment, I feel so grateful for all the support and encouragement we received from our clients, partners, and industry peers. Winning the Mumbrella production company of the year was a huge milestone for us, and it’s a moment that I’ll always cherish.
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