Editor’s Note: Welcome to “Reel Women,” our annual tribute to dynamic women in creative industries. For the month of March, let us introduce you to some very special women like BSSP Creative Director, Robyn Tenenbaum.
Robyn, (the Y is correct) is a Creative Director and Copywriter, who finds joy in various pursuits such as reading, running, and indulging in natural wine. Despite her diverse interests, she adamantly dislikes writing about herself in the third person. Originally from Texas, she has traversed through Chicago, Colorado, and now resides in the Pacific Northwest.
Robyn delights in discussing her furry companion, sharing stories about her latest Peloton ride, or divulging her favorite order at Chipotle.
Let’s meet Robyn!
What’s your origin story?
I’m a Texan who got too hot so moved to Chicago and then got too cold so moved to Colorado but missed the water so moved to Portland, OR, and is now a Creative Director at an agency in San Francisco.
How did you get into advertising?
I think like most people do, kind of by accident? I knew I wanted to be a writer…I literally wanted to be a book author. So in college I went into journalism but quickly learned I was way too creative for it. I fell into copywriting after taking an intro to advertising class.
It was truly a lightbulb, epiphany moment where I knew in my core this was what I was supposed to do. It just clicked. From there I got into my school’s portfolio program and it’s been a whirlwind in the industry since.
Who were your mentors?
I’ve been lucky to have a lot of women to look up to in my career: Emily Zaborniak and Alana Beseau when I first started out and Kelly McCormick and Quinn Katherman when I was coming up.
While there will be others, what do you consider your biggest achievement to date?
That’s a really tough one but I truly believe my biggest achievement is creating work I’m sincerely proud of that’s seen out in the world by millions of people.
What drives you to create?
Probably my general curiosity fueled by my ADHD.
What is a product or service you dream of doing a campaign for?
Either Chipotle or Peloton
Award you crave, but haven’t won
I won a Young Lion award early in my career but would love to win a Lion and head back to Cannes.
Coffee, Lunch or Happy Hour.
Coffee with Joan Didion.
Lunch with Nora Ephron.
Happy Hour with Maggie Rogers.
It’s an election year, what is keeping you up at night?
What isn’t?
Favorite movie and TV show of 2023.
Favorite movie -> Bottoms and The Holdovers
TV Show -> Shrinking and obviously, The Great British Baking Show
Band or singer you would ditch your career and go perform with?
Gregory Alan Isakov but let it be known I have zero musical talent so not sure how this will fare.
What’s your theme song for 2024?
I’ve always loved the Cranberries since I was a kid and it makes me happy to see Linger resurface in popularity thanks to TikTok. Will be listening to that on repeat.
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