2 Minutes With … Tanya Saliba, ACD at Terri & Sandy

Tanya is an associate creative director at Terri & Sandy with art direction playing a role in everything she does. Tanya has launched campaigns in categories ranging from beauty and retail to CPG. She has also worked for GroupeConnect and Digitas.

We spent two minutes with Tanya to learn more about her background, her creative inspirations and recent work she's admired.

Tanya, tell us …

Where you grew up, and where you live now.

I grew up in Boston and live downtown now. But that doesn't mean I'm a Masshole.

How you first realized you were creative.

As a child, I would draw constantly. I filled so many sketchbooks with drawings of my family, cartoons and favorite musicians.

A person you idolized creatively early on.

Leonardo Da Vinci. I loved his creativity and the mysterious hidden messages he would put in his artwork. But I was also fascinated with his skills as a scientist and inventor. 

A moment from high school or college that changed your life.

My freshman year of high school was the first year they started offering graphic design classes. I signed up and immediately fell in love. I had an amazing teacher who helped bring out my creativity. Thank you, Liza Parks!

A visual artist or band/musician you admire.

I have a few: Rania Matar, Gio Swaby, Yayoi Kusama, Midjourney.

A book, movie, TV show or podcast you recently found inspiring.

Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones on Netflix. Anyone interested in opening an ad agency in Greece with me?

One of your favorite creative projects you've ever worked on. 

CVS Beauty Mark. In 2018, CVS made a commitment to not retouch their beauty imagery. It's extremely important that we pass on a healthy self-image to the next generation. True beauty comes in all forms and we should embrace what makes us unique.

A recent project you're proud of. 

The Terri & Sandy rebrand. 2023 marked 13 extraordinary years of Terri & Sandy. To celebrate, we launched a fresh and reinvigorated identity—one that balances fierceness with understated elegance and celebrates the brilliance that lies within our agency's DNA.

Someone else's work that inspired you years ago. 

Kenzo's perfume commercial directed by Spike Jonze is something I revisit. It's so weird and unexpected.

Someone else's work you admired lately. 

I just became a mom, so Bobbie Baby Formula's "Parents Push Harder" resonates. As part of the campaign, Bobbie and Naomi Osaka are calling for the passing of paid family and medical leave in America. You can join the petition here. 

Your main strength as a creative person.

Being a perfectionist. And knowing how to spot a good idea and helping to bring it to life—even when it comes from the most unlikely place.

Your biggest weakness.

Being a perfectionist. 

A mentor that helped you navigate the industry.

Sue DeSilva was one of my biggest champions when we worked together at Digitas. She's someone I can go to for advice. And a huge shout out to Jenna Zink for helping me navigate pregnancy and motherhood.

How you're paying it forward with the next generation of creatives.

As a first-generation Lebanese American, I had no connections when I was starting my career. Now, I'm trying to pay it forward by making time for the younger creatives I know. I want to be open and honest with them, sharing my knowledge and experience. 

What you'd be doing if you weren't in advertising.

I'd want to be a detective. Gathering information, solving problems, putting the pieces together. It seems similar to being a creative.