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2 Minutes With ... Suzanne Barbosa, Managing Director of Atlantic New York
On creating business opportunities for women
Suzanne joined Atlantic New York as partner and managing director in 2022. Earlier, she led marketing campaigns at offices of BBDO, Grey and MullenLowe. Through her career, Suzanne has partnered with brands including P&G’s Gillette, FedEx, Unilever, Revlon and Bayer to help forge meaningful connections with consumers.
We spent two minutes with Suzanne to learn more about her background, her creative inspirations and recent work she’s admired.
Suzanne, tell us …
Where you grew up, and where you live now.
I grew up in Colorado, then moved to the East Coast to be close to family. I now call NYC home. I traded bluebird skies for city pigeons and never looked back.
How you first realized you were creative.
When I was mistaken for the creative director on a project, but I was really the account director on the business.
A person you idolized creatively early on.
A moment from high school or college that changed your life.
I started college in Chicago and after a semester, I knew I wanted to be back in Colorado. Against all the advice I was given, I followed my gut. While it may have looked like I failed or made a big mistake, in the end it changed the course of my life in the best and most beautiful ways.
A visual artist or band/musician you admire.
A book, movie, TV show or podcast you recently found inspiring.
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
One of your favorite creative projects you’ve ever worked on.
While at Grey New York, I worked on Gillette’s 2016 Rio Olympics campaign, “Perfect Isn’t Pretty.” It was an incredible braintrust of talent and teams. Epic in all the ways great productions and ideas should be.
A recent project you’re proud of.
“Til the Bitter End” with our client the Last Blockbuster Store in Bend, Ore. We launched their first Super Bowl spot in a way only Blockbuster could: on VHS.
Someone else’s work that inspired you years ago.
“Don’t Buy This Jacket” by Patagonia
Someone else’s work you admired lately.
DoorDash’s “Super Bowl Giveaway”
Your main strength as a creative person.
I don’t like hearing “no.” So, when I hear that word during the creative process, my mind goes straight to working out how it can happen.
Your biggest weakness.
Impatience. I love making things, so I am working on being more mindful, and more in the present moment.
A mentor that helped you navigate the industry.
My first boss at Grey New York who is still a dear friend to this day. She is the type of creative business leader who inspires her team with conviction, grace and grit.
How you’re paying it forward with the next generation of creatives.
I want to help women in leadership positions because so many women have done that for me. I want to create opportunities to bring them into critical business roles and support their growth. This has a multiplying effect over time.
What you’d be doing if you weren’t in advertising.
I’ve always had a passion for law. I love the idea of being able to advocate for people and do my part to build a more peaceful and just world.
2 Minutes With is our regular interview series where we chat with creatives about their backgrounds, creative inspirations, work they admire and more. For more about 2 Minutes With, or to be considered for the series, please get in touch.
