Rule Breaker: Tasha Dean
EVP + head of production at superjoy
“I think we were in a constant state of fluctuation.” - Tasha Dean
We are back with our favorite interview series, Rule Breaker by Rebelle! This is our time to ask women about the rules they are breaking, the moves they are making, and what they hope they are changing for the next generation to come.
First up, Tasha Dean, who will be headlining our upcoming event on June 8th.
First, here’s how her boss describes her:
“Tasha’s a human springboard. She never backs down and always finds a way — and you can’t help but want to do the unimaginable with her.”
Not a bad intro?
As EVP and head of production at Superjoy, (part of The Martin Agency, named Advertising Agency of the Year two years in a row) she oversees all production work across every client account. Her main accounts are CarMax, Old Navy, GEICO, DoorDash, Buffalo Wild Wings, OREO, Terminix and THREE Insurance.
Recent accomplishments include: convincing lawyers to greenlight a Jewel Stool for men recovering from March Madness vasectomies at Buffalo Wild Wings, engineer a system for the world’s first song drop on an OREO cookie (cookie plays the track and creme karaoke).
Here’s what she has to say:
Rebelle: What did you want to be when you grew up?
T: Marine Biologist. The idea of traveling the oceans and finding unexpected creatures at the time was very appealing.
R: Do you think any of those early dreams inspired where you are in your career now?
T: Yes! It’s the dreaming and hoping that makes us want to achieve the unachievable. When you don’t have much growing up your dreams and ambition are all you have to propel you forward. It gives you something to chase.
R: In an interview published by Martin you said, "The challenges we’re facing as an industry are coming at us at warp speed.” what did you mean by that?
T: I think we were in a constant state of fluctuation. The changes are more rapid and unpredictable today. Leaders need to be able to live at the edge of chaos and be comfortable that nothing will ever be status quo. It can be an uncomfortable place to live in but it’s also a place where the most innovation comes from.
R: What rules do you think you are breaking in your work/career?
T: I think I’m helping to redefine the notion of swim lanes. The hybrid rising is really the idea that each one of us is not defined by any one thing, skillset, or title. We are true hybrids and should be able to express ourselves in our work as such.
R: What are you looking forward to?
T: Creator culture. I think that we’re creating more of everything lately. I feel there’s more innovation born out of constant making. The growth of plant based food, vertical farming, and metaverse are some of the more interesting ones for me.
Come meet Tasha and the women of Rebelle on June 8th in Richmond, VA. We’ll be talking leadership lessons, pandemic pivots, and all the ways we are designing our lives.
