Dive into the complete episode list for CreativeOps Podcast. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.
Rows per page:
50
1–43 of 43
Pub. Date
Title
Duration
17 Jan 2024
E07 - Creative Ops Dots: January 17 '24
00:29:01
Summary
In this episode, I share insights and observations from my conversations with many of you across the creative ops community . In this episode I discuss the maturity of creative operations, the need for clear definitions and paths for creative operations leaders, and the importance of using metrics and data. I also explore the emergence of meta workflows in creative operations, focusing on scale and speed, as well as storytelling. Lastly, I address emerging concerns about layoffs and the opportunities for creative operations leaders to step up and navigate through these challenges.
I created it to open up conversations about our emerging field. With creative ops in its "teenage years," we need community and clarity of purpose as we grow.
My vision is to drive curiosity through interviews with innovators across industries. We'll explore experiences, challenges and wins around creative ops' core of people, process and technology. I'll also share my own hot takes on key topics and trends like the impacts of AI.
I invite you to join these "water cooler" talks as we learn together. Subscribe at creativeops.fm or your favorite podcast app to get the latest episodes. Send any questions or comments my way at nish@creativeops.fm. I want to hear your thoughts and feedback as we map the future of creative operations!
15 Dec 2023
E02 - Serving Michelin-Starred Creative Ops - with HubSpot's Kate Sullivan
00:52:31
Joining us is Kate Sullivan of HubSpot, a leading inbound marketing, sales, and customer service software company.
You’ll hear about adapting communication styles in creative ops, the value of a service mindset, and managing creative processes through unique dining experience analogies.
Questions or a different point of view than what you heard today? Drop me a line nish@creativeops.fm
Timestamps: 01:23 Discussing Creative Operations' Scope 04:37 Exploring Service Mindset in Creative Ops 08:15 Analyzing Project Management Evolution 11:42 Addressing Creative Ops Diplomacy 15:58 Implementing Personal Communication Styles 19:47 Comparing Creative Ops to Dining Experiences 22:34 Enhancing Strategy with Data Insights 52:00 you how Closing Analysis
17 Dec 2024
EP 34 - AI Gives You an Unlimited HR Budget for 2025
00:22:37
Episode Summary
In this solo episode, Nish explores how AI is transforming creative operations by shifting from traditional role scarcity to role abundance. He highlights how creative leaders can spin up AI-driven “roles” like Creative Brief Coach or Chief Storytelling Officer out of thin air, without budget constraints. Nish shares practical frameworks and examples to help listeners reorient their thinking around AI’s infinite capabilities in speed, scale, and knowledge—setting the stage for a transformational 2025.
Timeline
• [00:01] - Intro: AI and your 2025 planning
• [02:15] - Creative brief coach: Solving the briefing challenge with AI
• [04:33] - Chief storytelling officer: Keeping ideas tied to the big narrative
• [06:58] - AI roles: The rise of project prioritization advisors
• [09:25] - New laws of work: Infinite scale, speed, and negligible costs
• [11:51] - Example: Creating “Alex,” the AI workshop advisor
• [14:11] - The mindset shift: Roles you’d create with “unlimited HR budget”
• [16:33] - Personal productivity and team-level AI use cases
• [19:00] - How to start leading AI transformation in 2025
Key Takeaways
• 1. Rethink Work Scarcity with AI:
• Scale, speed, time, and knowledge are no longer scarce; AI enables infinite capacity at negligible cost.
• AI allows creative leaders to spin up roles like Creative Brief Coach without additional budget.
• 2. Create Strategic AI Advisors for Your Team:
• Use AI to develop tools like project prioritization advisors and storytelling coaches.
• These AI-driven “roles” fill knowledge gaps, reduce inefficiencies, and improve creative output.
• 3. Practical AI Examples:
• A Creative Brief Coach can improve the quality of submitted briefs by referencing past campaigns and data.
• A Chief Storytelling Officer helps maintain brand narrative alignment throughout creative production.
• 4. Mindset Matters: The New Laws of Work:
• Leaders must reorient their thinking: With AI, infinite possibilities exist to innovate systems and roles.
• Ask yourself: What roles would you create with unlimited HR budget?
• 5. AI as a Collaborative Partner:
• AI isn’t about replacing people but about creating new roles that enhance productivity and creativity.
• Teams benefit by offloading repetitive tasks to AI tools, freeing human capacity for strategic work.
• 6. Start Small, Scale Fast:
• Build a “personal productivity use case” with AI tools as a first step.
• Expand to team-level AI advisors for more complex workflows like prioritization and brainstorming.
• 7. AI Workshops and Implementation:
• Nish introduces workshops to help creative operations leaders navigate AI’s potential.
• These workshops focus on understanding AI’s fundamentals and building immediate, actionable AI strategies.
17 Sep 2024
E27 - TLDL: AI Hosts Breakdown Upcoming E28 w John Pagano
00:07:03
This preview was generated utilizing Google's Notebook LLM to produce an engaging discussion about the upcoming full episode with John Pagano.
Here's what makes it unique:
AI-powered Analysis: Two AI-generated hosts, discussing insights from the full episode's content.
The Big Game Breakdown: The preview mimics the format of sports commentary
How It Was Created:
The full episode transcript was uploaded to Google's Notebook LLM.
The LLM generated a conversation between two AI hosts, discussing key points from the episode
This generated content was then formatted into this preview, offering listeners a unique pre-episode experience.
Key Highlights that the AI Hosts Breakdown
1. Data as a Creative Superpower:
- John Pagano uses data not to restrict creativity, but to enhance it.
- Example: The "gross up discovery" in SpongeBob SquarePants, where close-ups of characters' faces significantly increased viewer engagement.
2. Creating a Data-Driven Culture:
- Pagano implemented personalized dashboards for team members to visualize their impact.
- This approach turns data into a motivational tool and fosters healthy competition.
3. AI as a Creativity Enabler:
- Pagano views AI as a tool to handle tedious tasks, freeing up creatives for more innovative work.
- The "shorts-a-thon" concept: A time-limited creative challenge without data constraints.
4. Diverse Hiring Practices:
- Pagano recruits from unexpected backgrounds
- He values diverse experiences and storytelling abilities over traditional creative backgrounds.
5. Balancing Data and Creativity:
- The overall philosophy is using data as a "compass, not a map" in the creative process.
- Emphasis on finding the "sweet spot" where data and imagination collide.
The full episode of CreativeOps Podcast E27 featuring John Pagano will be available soon on all major podcast platforms.
Engage:
Join the CreativeOpsFM Community: TEXT 1.917.810.3425
Questions or a different point of view than what you heard today? Drop me a line nish@creativeops.fm
E09 - AI Creative/Operations Wave Series w Juliana Vail of Dreem.Ai
00:48:34
In this kickoff episode of our AI Creative/Operations Wave Series, we are joined by Juliana Vail from Dreem.Ai
This conversation starts us on our journey of surfing the gentle and not-so-gentle waves of the AI Tsunami. Juliana applies her expertise from 18 years of leveraging each successive wave of new technology to unlock new possibilities and value in creative workflows. With the active participation of the audience for this live recording we tackle a number of topics. This is the first in a series of ongoing discussions where Juliana and Nish along with the audience will share and explore what is happening, working and not working as we all deal with the enormous challenges and opportunities of "AI is Going to Change Everything."
Takeaways
How AI is reshaping creative workflows and processes in organizations: AI is enhancing efficiency and innovation in creative workflows, enabling teams to leverage automated tools for tasks like ideation and content generation, thus shifting the focus to more strategic and creative aspects.
Keys to successful AI adoption: Successful AI adoption hinges on a blend of experimentation and hands-on learning, where organizations progressively integrate AI into their processes and learn from real-world applications and outcomes.
Aligning AI implementation with organizational goals: It's crucial for organizations to clearly define their objectives and ensure that AI implementations are strategically aligned with these goals to maximize effectiveness and ROI.
How roles in the creative industry are evolving, with a focus on how they may start to blend or merge: In the AI-empowered creative industry, traditional roles are evolving to become more interdisciplinary, with a growing need for professionals to possess a mix of creative and technical skills, leading to the blending or merging of roles.
EP 40 - Rebroadcast: My interview on The Future of In-House Creative Leadership
01:06:10
Guest Information
Name: Emma Sexton
Title: Founder & CEO
Organization: Inside Out Community
Expertise:
Creative leadership & in-house team strategy
Business impact of creativity
Brand storytelling & operations
Episode Summary This episode started with a thought experiment—a LinkedIn post I wrote about how I would design an in-house creative team from scratch today. No legacy structures, no incremental tweaks—just a blank canvas and a chance to reimagine what’s possible.
That post sparked a conversation that resonated across the industry. Emma Sexton invited me onto her Inside Out podcast to take that idea further, and what followed was a deep, exploratory discussion about the creative team of the future.
How should we design teams not just to survive, but to thrive in an AI-powered, fast-moving world? How do we break free from old models and build something truly new? This conversation is an invitation to step beyond the known, to break from outdated models, and to explore what’s possible when we treat creativity as a living system, not a fixed structure.
No rules. No assumptions. Just a blank canvas and the courage to ask: What if?
Key Takeaways
The in-house agency model is fading fast :
In-house teams that position themselves as “internal agencies” are struggling to stay relevant.
The new model requires creatives to be embedded in business strategy, not just production.
AI won’t replace creative teams, but bad strategy will :
AI can generate content at scale, but it can’t replace the human ability to tell meaningful stories.
The teams that survive will be the ones that learn how to balance AI-driven efficiency with human creativity.
CMOs need to stop treating creativity as an expense:
Creativity isn’t a luxury—it’s a competitive advantage.
The best brands are the ones using storytelling to create deeper, emotional connections with audiences.
Scaling storytelling is the new creative challenge:
AI allows for mass content creation, but how do you make sure it resonates?
The future belongs to creative strategists who know how to scale ideas, not just assets.
The next decade of creative leadership will belong to the bold:
The most successful creative teams will be the ones that reinvent themselves before they’re forced to.
Now is the time to prove creative value, experiment with AI, and rethink the role of creativity inside organizations.
01 May 2024
E19 - Legal as Co-Pilot in Accelerating Creative's AI Adoption w Betty Louie of Brandtech Group
00:59:23
In this episode, we challenge the stereotype that legal teams hinder innovation by sitting down with Betty Louie, General Counsel and Partner at BrandTech Group. Betty shares how their legal team has been integral to catalyzing AI adoption through their simple yet effective "Green List" process, which creates a safe space for experimentation.
Key Takeaways
1. Legal Teams as Enablers of AI Adoption: Legal teams can play a crucial role in accelerating AI adoption by creating safe spaces for experimentation and providing clear guidelines.
"We assume it's here to stay. We know it's here to stay. This is something that is in use. And will it look different in a year? Most probably. Will it look different in probably six months? Most probably. But we're not approaching it from fear in terms of putting the brakes on. In fact, we're doing the opposite."
2. The "Green List" Process: Facilitating Safe AI Experimentation: BrandTech Group's "Green List" process involves proactively evaluating AI tools against various parameters, empowering teams to experiment with confidence.
"We created this list ….. so that it encouraged people to play with the ones that are on the green list. And therefore it encourages people to play around with it, invest more time in it, but also to come to us with additional tools that they thought were worthy of the group looking at and had really innovative features."
3. Collaborating with Clients on AI Adoption: Engaging in open, transparent conversations with clients about AI adoption helps identify opportunities for collaboration and address concerns.
"We are talking about our process of which tools we're using, what tools they're comfortable with. Oftentimes it starts with discussion ….. of its benefits and certain parameters where we have built into Pencil Pro that would ensure that it's well ahead of even the rest of the pack in the green list."
4. Addressing Ethical Concerns in AI-Generated Content: Proactively tackling issues like bias in AI-generated content is crucial for responsible AI adoption.
"It's definitely brought the discussion of inherent bias or unconscious bias to the forefront because when you see these images generated over and over again and it's hitting a certain theme, it's hard to deny it, right? Because the models themselves are just portraying what it was trained on, not other aspects of it."
5. Legal Teams as Strategic Partners in AI Adoption: By collaborating with IT, creative teams, and other stakeholders, legal teams can help develop comprehensive AI strategies that align with organizational goals.
"It's incumbent upon us to stay abreast of how these tools are evolving. It's not a static green list. So, we do go back and we do have to change if necessary, if they get updated."
Questions or a different point of view than what you heard today? Drop me a line nish@creativeops.fm
EP 32 - CreativeOps & IHA Leaders: 4 Buckets & 4 Questions for a More Impactful 2025
00:29:28
Episode Summary
In this reflective and forward-looking episode, Nish explores four critical questions every Creative Ops and in-house agency leader must ask as they prepare for 2025. Drawing inspiration from Patrick Burgoyne’s four-bucket framework and Jason Holtzman’s thought-provoking philosophy, Nish emphasizes aligning creative operations with business priorities, embracing AI as a game-changer, and crafting a roadmap for strategic impact.
Episode Timeline
• [00:01] - Intro: Reflections on 2024 and planning for 2025
• [02:20] - Podcast updates: New series and upcoming AI workshops
• [07:00] - Jason Holzman’s quote: “The question is the answer”
• [09:30] - Patrick Burgoyne’s four-bucket framework
• [14:10] - Question 1: Who are we today?
• [16:25] - Question 2: What is our purpose today?
• [18:50] - Question 3: What do we need to evolve into?
• [23:30] - Question 4: What must change to achieve evolution?
• [25:50] - Closing reflections: Asking the right questions
Key Takeaways
• The Four Key Questions for 2025:
• Who are we today?
• What is our purpose today?
• What do we need to evolve into tomorrow, and why?
• What must change to achieve that evolution?
• Patrick Burgoyne’s Four Buckets Framework:
• Production Studio: Focused on efficiency and cost-saving.
• Creative Studio: Handling design and creative execution.
• Creative Agency: Managing conceptual campaigns and strategy.
• Lead Agency: Acting as a business partner and strategic driver.
• AI as the X-Factor:
• Embrace AI for automation, insights, and strategic creativity.
• Leadership is now asking, “What’s your AI plan?”
• Aligning KPIs with Business Goals:
• Shift from volume metrics to impact-driven KPIs.
• Ensure dashboards reflect what leadership values.
• Plan the Transition:
• Map the current state, identify gaps, and build a roadmap.
• Leverage AI workshops to define use cases and accelerate progress.
• The Power of Better Questions:
• Good answers come from thoughtful, strategic questions.
• Avoid focusing solely on speed and efficiency—think impact.
12 Mar 2024
E14 - Creative Ops Dots: The Org Chart Debate
00:33:20
In this episode, Nish explores the topic of where creative operations should be located on the org chart. He discusses the response to a previous episode on the subject and shares the results of a survey he conducted. Nish also highlights the feedback he received from the community and the conversations he had with marketing operations professionals. Nish concludes by explaining why he wants to continue exploring this topic and proposes the idea of creating a 'Creative Ops Org Chart Locator Decision Tree' BUT only if he hears from the community that they want it.
EP 42 - Air's Big Bet, Creative Ops' Big Opportunity: A System of Record for Creative Work
00:19:15
Episode Summary With Air.inc securing $35M in funding, the creative operations world is facing a major inflection point. In this solo episode, Nish Patel explores what this investment means for creative ops leaders, why the concept of a "system of record for creative work" is critical, and how creative professionals can seize this moment to elevate their roles from tactical execution to strategic systems design. This isn’t just about one company—it’s about an industry-wide shift that demands creative ops leaders rethink their approach to scale, speed, and storytelling.
Key Takeaways
Creative Ops is at a Turning Point:
Air’s funding is a signal that creative ops is being recognized as a strategic function.
The industry is shifting from project management toward systematizing creative workflows at scale.
The Importance of a System of Record for Creative Work:
Other operational functions (RevOps, SalesOps) have CRMs as a central hub—creative ops has lacked one.
Air is positioning itself to be the foundational platform for creative operations.
Creative Intelligence: A Leap Beyond Project Management:
The shift from scattered workflows to structured creative intelligence will enable smarter decision-making.
The best creative ops leaders will think in terms of designing systems, not just managing tasks.
Tech as a Partner in Creativity, Not Just a Tool:
The right technology should reduce admin burdens and free up time for creative work.
A well-implemented system can enhance both speed and creative quality simultaneously.
Storytelling is the Competitive Advantage in an AI-Driven Market:
With AI and automation increasing content production, the real differentiator will be brand and storytelling.
Creative ops leaders must ensure that efficiency doesn’t come at the cost of emotional resonance and impact.
Should Creative Ops Take a Stronger Role in Tech Evaluation?
Nish is considering a series of podcast episodes evaluating creative ops tools.
Understanding the "what, why, and how" behind these tools can help leaders make better decisions.
Episode Reference: Shane, CEO of Air, was previously a guest on the Creative Ops Podcast.
08 May 2024
E20 - Smashing Silos: Creative Ops & Marketing Ops Unite w Mike Rizzo of MarketingOps.com
00:47:12
In this episode, Mike Rizzo, founder of Marketing Ops.com, joins us to explore the untapped opportunities in creative ops and marketing ops alignment. Discover how these two critical functions can partner to drive better outcomes across the entire organization.
Key Takeaways
1. Creative Ops and Marketing Ops: Natural Partners: Creative ops and marketing ops are natural partners that should be collaborating much more closely to drive efficiency and effectiveness.
2. Integrating Processes and Technologies for Speed: Integrating creative and marketing processes and technologies can enable marketing to move at the speed of ideas.
3. Efficiency Gains through Templatization and Automation: Templatizing and automating creative assets can lead to huge efficiency gains and empower teams across the organization.
4. Adopting Data-Driven, Results-Oriented KPIs: Creative ops should adopt more data-driven, results-oriented KPIs, and marketing ops can help guide this transition.
5. The Future: Horizontal Go-to-Market Ops: The future org structure could involve a horizontal "go-to-market ops" function that brings together marketing, sales, creative, and more.
Questions or a different point of view than what you heard today? Drop me a line nish@creativeops.fm
E13 - Location, Location, Location! CreativeOps on the Org Chart w Cella's Amy Strickland
00:52:06
Joining us is Amy Tesch Strickland of Cella, a prominent figure in the creative operations community with extensive experience on both the brand and consulting sides, known for her expertise in guiding creative and marketing operations teams.
You’ll hear about the strategic positioning of creative operations within an organization, the natural (and untapped?) potential of closer alignment between creative and marketing operations, and how this may be a key factor in creative ops maturing from a tactical to a strategic function.
Takeaways
Location of Creative Ops: It highlights the importance of location to how well Creative Operations can be aligned with the go to market engine and better support creative
Natural Chemistry with Marketing Operations: The discussion points out how both of these roles have much in common (systems thinking, leveraging data, etc.) and their respective roles and work are critical puzzle pieces in the organization's go to market engine
Career Growth and Positioning: The conversation touches on the importance of positioning for career advancement within the creative operations field. It underscores how professionals can leverage their strategic and operational expertise to ascend to leadership roles, thereby shaping the future direction of creative operations in their organizations.
Questions or a different point of view than what you heard today? Drop me a line nish@creativeops.fm
E15 - Creative Ops Dots: More on Scale & Story; That Altman Quote & Creative Ops Altitudes
00:27:12
Explore the dynamic world of creative operations in this insightful episode. We delve into strategies for scaling creativity, connecting the dots in storytelling, and analyzing that famous Altman quote. With engaging discussions about navigating the altitudes of creative processes, this podcast equips listeners with actionable insights and inspiration and proposes a framework for bringing more clarity to creative ops career progression. Perfect for innovators, creators, and storytellers aiming to elevate their craft.
E05 - Creative Ops Change Management - Paul Nicholson's Lessons from 20+ Yrs at Showtime Networks
01:04:28
Joining us is Paul Nicholson who just wrapped up 20+ years with Showtime Networks, a prominent American premium television network known for its wide array of original programming, movies, documentaries, and sports.
This episode dives into Paul's approach to implementing change to reduce friction in creative workflows. Learn about his 'Product Release' strategy for change, when and how to gather team input, the science and art (or is that experience based instinct) for how to prioritize changes, how and why to sell change up the org chart, packaging change into mini releases, and measuring progress and impact along the way. All that and more.
Questions or a different point of view than what you heard today? Drop me a line nish@creativeops.fm
06:36 Purpose of creative operations? 07:57 How does removing friction help? 09:36 Your change management definition and approach? 12:27 Distinguishing innovation and change? 13:48 Differentiating between incremental change and innovation? 15:00 Facilitating 'what's next?' discussions? 17:06 Approach to listening for friction? 18:36 Process for big changes? 21:45 Selling changes to executives? 23:33 Deciding when to make changes? 27:00 Involving people in design process? 28:57 Design process before executive pitch? 34:48 Balancing priorities from feedback? 39:09 Rollout process for changes? 42:36 Measuring change implementation success? 47:51 Using metrics in change management? 53:06 Thoughts on AI and change management?
24 Jan 2024
E08 - The Data & Metrics Series; the 100,000 Foot View w Nickole Brown of Cella
00:49:44
In this kickoff episode of our Data & Metrics Series, we are joined by Nickole Brown from Cella.
The conversation dives into the critical role of data and metrics in creative operations. Nickole elevates our understanding at the 100,000-foot view, exploring how effectively leveraging data and metrics can transition creative operations from a tactical function to a strategic role.
Takeaways
The Importance of Data and Metrics: Understanding and utilizing data is a defining factor that separates leaders from pretenders in creative operations.
Strategic Transformation: Data and metrics enable creative operations to evolve from being purely tactical to becoming strategic influencers.
Facing Challenges: Acknowledging and overcoming the fear of data, bridging educational gaps, and navigating technological challenges are crucial steps in harnessing the power of data.
Storytelling with Data: Effective communication and storytelling through data are essential for empowering creative operations leaders.
EP 33 - Beyond Savings: Offshore as a Strategic Imperative w Anil Noorani of We Are Amnet
01:05:57
Guest Information:
• Name: Anil Noorani
• Title: Founder and Managing Partner of TKM Consultants and Non-Exec Director of We Are Amnet
• Expertise:
• Optimizing global creative production strategies
• Offshore production models
• Bridging in-house and offshore creative ecosystems
Episode Summary:
In this episode, we explore the transformative role of offshore production in creative operations with Anil Noorani, founder and managing partner at TKM Consultants. Drawing from over two decades of experience, Anil discusses how offshore production has evolved from a cost-saving strategy to a cornerstone of scalable and strategic creative operations. From overcoming cultural challenges to leveraging AI and automation, Anil offers practical insights for creative leaders aiming to scale content production while maintaining quality and brand alignment.
Timeline:
• [00:00] Introduction to Anil Noorani and offshore production
• [02:22] Defining creative operations and its global nuances
• [07:05] Evolution of offshore production: Past, present, and future
• [11:47] Strategic integration of in-house and offshore resources
• [16:27] Key triggers for adopting offshore production models
• [21:08] Skills to offshore versus in-house: Decision frameworks
• [28:07] Commercial models in offshore production
• [32:53] Readiness for offshore: Cultural, technical, and process alignment
• [42:30] Smart shoring and hybrid offshore models explained
• [49:35] Metrics that matter: Evaluating offshore performance
• [56:38] AI and automation’s role in scaling content production
• [01:03:30] Closing thoughts on the future of creative operations
Key Takeaways:
1. Defining Creative Operations:
• Intersection of people, processes, technology, and creativity.
• Key priorities: Quality, speed, and scalability of asset production.
2. Offshore as a Strategic Imperative:
• Transition from cost-saving to a scalable and strategic model.
• Integration with in-house teams for upstream creative services.
3. Key Drivers for Offshore Adoption:
• Addressing scale, speed, and cost challenges in content production.
• Leveraging offshore talent pools for specialized skills like CGI and digital.
4. Effective Offshore Partnerships:
• Embrace cultural readiness and strong communication practices.
• Importance of brand immersion during onboarding for quality outcomes.
5. Hybrid and Smart Shoring Models:
• Combining dedicated and transactional teams for flexibility.
• Regional client service teams bridge cultural and operational gaps.
6. Automation and AI Integration:
• Automate repetitive tasks like digital banners and packaging artwork.
• AI-enabled personalization for enhanced customer experiences.
7. Metrics for Success:
• Focus on “right first time” production, quality, turnaround times, and responsiveness.
• Robust KPIs and SLAs ensure alignment and continuous improvement.
8. Future Trends in Creative Ops:
• Expansion of AI-driven personalization and virtual production.
• Offshore partners as key enablers of AI adoption and scaling.
Call to Action:
If you’re exploring offshore production for your creative operations or looking to optimize your existing partnerships, check out We Are Amnet's latest Global Benchmark Report. For more actionable insights and to stay ahead in the creative ops space, follow Creative Ops on your favorite podcast platform.
Let me know if further updates are needed!
23 Sep 2024
E28 - News from the Creative Ops Future: Data-Informed Creativity w John Pagano of Nickelodeon
01:15:37
Buckle up, creatives! We're about to dive into a world where data and imagination collide in the most spectacular ways. Meet John Pagano, the maverick leader who's turned Nickelodeon's digital playground into a data-driven wonderland. Forget everything you thought you knew about analytics sucking the life out of creativity. In Pagano's universe, spreadsheets spark joy, AI is your artistic wingman, and even SpongeBob's pores hold the secret to viral success. Get ready to discover how embracing your inner data nerd might just be the key to unlocking your wildest creative dreams!
That Got My Attention:
Data as a Creative Superpower
John Pagano uses data to enhance creativity, not stifle it
Data serves as a compass, guiding creative decisions
The "Gross Up" Discovery
Close-ups of SpongeBob's face led to higher engagement
Demonstrates the power of unexpected insights from data
Gamifying Data for Team Motivation
Personalized dashboards for each team member
Fosters friendly competition and makes impact visible
AI as a Creativity Enabler
AI handles tedious tasks, freeing up time for creative thinking
Allows team to focus on big ideas and experimentation
Balancing Structure and Improvisation
"Shorts-a-thon" encourages pure creativity without constraints
Finding the "jazz" in creative work
Unconventional Talent Acquisition
Hiring from unexpected backgrounds (e.g., professional wrestling)
Valuing diverse experiences and storytelling abilities
Data as a Partner in Creativity
Using data to light the way, not dictate the destination
In this episode, I list various ways creative operations leaders can leverage AI to enhance their work. Using the T3 (Thunking, Thinking & Transforming with) AI framework I walk through some easy and accessible ways to leverage AI. To free up time by outsourcing your boring, rote work to it. And re-investing that time to use AI as a thinking partner and become. the 10x leader you can be. And continue your transition to being a strategic creative operations leader.
E10 - Fast Marketing, Calm Creativity & Self Service Automation: A CreativeOps Fable w Hubspot's Mark Brady
01:06:11
Mark Brady, Head of Creative Solutions at HubSpot, discusses the value of self-service automation to increase content and go to market velocity and at the same time free up creatives. Said differently: Deliver More, Deliver Faster, Deliver Cost Effectively. He explains how HubSpot has implemented self-service automation through tools like Canva, web modules, and email templates, allowing marketers to create on-brand experiences. Allowing the creative team to focus on "big think" work. He also discusses the use of data to inform decision-making and measure success in self-service automation. Lastly, Mark explores how Hubspot's self-service automation journey is informing a smarter approach to how they are rolling out and getting value from the emerging crop of AI tools.
Takeaways
Self-service Automation is "Accessible": any creative ops leader and team can begin without needing knowledge of how to code. V1 of your self-service footprint can be entirely driven by configuration. Achieve and show value and gain right to invest into more sophisticated self-service capabilities.
Creative Ops Self-Service as Go To Market Enablement: self service allows marketers to move from idea to implementation at a much faster rate. At Hubspot that has translated into more experiments, campaigns and ideas seeing the light of day and at a much faster rate. Which is reflected in their meteoric growth.
Creative Ops Self-Service as Org Chart Content Engine: not just for marketing, but for all parts of the organization (sales, customer. support, etc.) that have a growing need and appetite for content, at speed.
Creative Ops Self-Service as Freeing Creatives: self-service reduces the persistent "rote work" capacity bottlenecks. Allowing creatives to focus on more "big think" work.
Creative Data Intelligence: leverage data to understand what to automate (i.e. what are common requests & needs, what have we had to say No to, etc.). Data also provides insights on other opportunities to enhance the self-service automation experience to allow marketers to accelerate go to market velocity with engaging and effective content.
E24 - Creative Operations Manifesto: Unveiling the "Why" with Shane Hegde of Air.inc
01:08:19
Guest: Shane Hegde, Co-founder, Air.inc
Shane is the Co-founder of Air.inc, a company that provides solutions for creative operations. With a background in Liberal Arts and a deep appreciation for the creative process, Shane has gained valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by creative teams in today's fast-paced, content-driven world.
Episode Summary
In this episode, Shane shares his perspective on the evolving role of creative operations and the importance of empowering creative ops leaders. He dives into the game-changing Creative Operations Manifesto, exploring how it gives voice to the experiences and challenges faced by creative ops heroes and provides a roadmap for delivering what organizations need.
Timeline
[00:00:00] - Introduction to the episode and Shane
[00:02:30] - Shane's background and the inspiration behind the Creative Operations Manifesto
[00:05:00] - Key themes of the manifesto and why it's essential reading for creative ops leaders
[00:09:00] - Insights on breaking down silos, harnessing automation, and fostering innovation
[00:14:00] - How the manifesto reflects the creative ops hero's journey and provides a roadmap for success
[00:18:00] - Navigating the evolving landscape of AI and emerging technologies in creative operations
[00:22:00] - Actionable strategies for optimizing creative processes and proving the value of creative ops
[00:27:00] - The significance of the manifesto in giving voice to creative ops heroes everywhere
[00:30:00] - Closing thoughts and call-to-action to download the Creative Operations Manifesto
Key Takeaways
The Creative Operations Manifesto is a game-changing document that gives voice to the experiences and challenges faced by creative ops leaders.
Shane's unique perspective, informed by his Liberal Arts background and appreciation for the creative process, has shaped the manifesto's insights and strategies.
The manifesto provides a roadmap for delivering what organizations need by breaking down silos, harnessing automation, and fostering a culture of innovation and efficiency.
Creative ops leaders can create the right conditions for great creative work to spring forward by implementing the strategies outlined in the manifesto.
The manifesto reflects the creative ops hero's journey and empowers leaders to take their creative operations to the next level.
Call-to-Action:
Don't miss out on this opportunity to revolutionize your creative operations! Download the Creative Operations Manifesto today and discover the insights and strategies you need to succeed as a creative ops hero. Get your copy now and start your journey towards optimized workflows, increased efficiency, and unparalleled creative success.
Questions or a different point of view than what you heard today? Drop me a line nish@creativeops.fm
E31 - Live from LA! The AI Meteor is a Gift for Creative Ops
00:34:37
In this special episode of the Creative Ops podcast, we’re bringing you a live recording of my presentation at the Henry Stewart Creative Operations Conference in Los Angeles. The feedback from attendees was incredible—people left inspired and motivated to reimagine the role of AI in Creative Operations.
During this talk, I dive into the real opportunity AI presents—not just as an automation tool, but as middleware for the Creative Operations imagination. You’ll learn how to leverage AI to elevate your role, spark creativity, and drive your career forward in this rapidly changing world.
Key Takeaways:
• 🧠 How to embrace AI as a partner to move Creative Ops from tactical to strategic.
• 🚀 How AI can fuel your career trajectory and transform the way you work.
• 🤔 Why AI is more fun (and powerful) than you might think, when you start using it to unlock new possibilities.
And here’s the best part: If this talk resonates with you, I’m happy to bring this session to your team. Let’s reimagine what’s possible together and set you up to thrive in this AI-driven world.
Also, stay tuned! I’m rolling out an AI workshop to help Creative Ops teams put these ideas into action. If you want to be among the first to know, reach out!
So, are you ready to evolve or go extinct?
Engage:
Join the CreativeOpsFM Community: TEXT 1.917.810.3425
Questions or a different point of view than what you heard today? Drop me a line nish@creativeops.fm
This is request to you - the Creative Ops Professional - to take a moment to participate in two important surveys focused on creative operations. Links below!
As we navigate the evolving landscape of our profession, understanding where we stand today is crucial. These surveys are more than just questionnaires; they are tools that will help us benchmark our current state and envision the future of creative operations.
Your participation is vital. By contributing, you're helping to build a rich dataset that will generate valuable knowledge for all of us. As a community, profession and individual leaders.
This is your chance to influence how creative operations is understood and valued. The results from these surveys can help guide your conversations with peers and management teams, enabling you to advocate more effectively for your role, your team, your profession.
Your voice matters. I look forward to seeing the results of each survey and discussing them in future episodes. And together, continuing to advance what Creative Ops is today and what it can be tomorrow!
Cella Survey: closes February 16th (this Thursday)
E03 - AI & the Future of Creative Storytelling - with Mofilm's Michelle Vincent
00:43:24
Joining us is Michelle Vincent of Mofilm, a creative agency focused on storytelling and leveraging AI in creative operations.
You’ll hear how Mofilm uses AI as a creative assistant, the importance of storytelling in the age of algorithms, and the challenges of data bias in AI tools.
Timestamps: 13:03 - Experimenting with AI in creative operations 16:48 - Understanding AI's impact on storytelling 20:27 - Navigating the hype and reality of AI in marketing 24:00 - Addressing the challenge of bias in AI tools 27:36 - Emphasizing human creativity in AI integration 31:12 - Exploring diverse perspectives in AI-generated content 35:06 - Recognizing the importance of human input in AI outputs 38:42 - Discussing the role of AI in future creative strategies 42:54 - Reflecting on the cultural shift towards AI in creative industries
12 Aug 2024
E25 - Back from Summer Break! S2 Preview PLUS Dinosaurs, Conversations & Orchestration
00:32:41
Episode Summary: In this episode, Nish returns from his summer break to reflect on his travels and introduce the upcoming second season of the Creative Ops podcast. He discusses the concept of creative operations as a living system, shares updates on the podcast community, and explores ideas about the future of creative work in relation to AI, data, and content orchestration.
Timeline: [00:01] - Back from Summer Break & Already Missing Europe [02:22] - System differences between Europe and North America and Creative Operations as a Living System [07:04] - Introduction of the Creative Ops FM community and text-based updates. [11:46] - Season 2 Preview (topics, themes and guests) [16:29] - Creative Operations & the AI Meteor ...... Evolve or Extinct [23:15] - Creative is a Conversation w the Audience .... Data Enables the Conversation [27:34] - Is Creative Operations 2.0 Content Orchestration and is Neo Creative 2.0
Engage:
Join the CreativeOpsFM Community: TEXT 1.917.810.3425
E26 - Rutgers Creative Ops Program with Amy Strickland
00:25:53
Episode Summary: In this episode of the Creative Ops Podcast, host Nish welcomes back Amy Tesch Strickland to discuss the new advanced creative operations silver certificate program offered through Rutgers University. The program, developed in collaboration with Clair Carter-Ginn and Corey Dill, promises a comprehensive 12-week curriculum divided into three modules focusing on foundational concepts, organizational maturity, and change management. With a structured learning approach, including video lectures, readings, assignments, and optional office hours, the program aims to professionalize and elevate the field of creative operations. Amy emphasizes the program's value in networking and advancing the strategic capabilities of creative ops professionals.
Timeline: [00:40] Overview of the Advanced Creative Operations Program
[01:18] Program Structure and Modules
[03:48] Cost and Certification Details
[04:29] Importance of Certification in Creative Operations
[13:42] Target Audience and Application Process
[21:59] Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Engage:
Join the CreativeOpsFM Community: TEXT 1.917.810.3425
Questions or a different point of view than what you heard today? Drop me a line nish@creativeops.fm
EP 37 - The Evolution of In-House Agencies: Insights from Patrick Burgoyne
01:28:09
Guest Information
Name: Patrick Burgoyne
Title: Co-founder
Organization: In-House Agency Leaders Club
Expertise:
Leadership in creative and advertising industries
Founder of platforms fostering collaboration among creative leaders
Extensive experience shaping creative ecosystems
Episode Summary
In this episode of Creative Ops, Patrick Burgoyne unpacks the transformative power of in-house agencies. From his “four buckets” framework to AI-driven innovation, Patrick offers actionable insights into how in-house teams can evolve from production studios to lead agencies. Join us as we explore strategies to leverage creative operations for maximum impact and business alignment.
Key Takeaways
The Four Buckets Framework:
Understand the roadmap for evolving in-house teams: production studio, creative studio, creative agency, and lead agency.
The Role of AI:
Learn how AI is disrupting traditional workflows, creating efficiencies, and challenging team structures.
Building Trust Through Transparency:
Foster trust by creating safe spaces for open discussion and collaboration.
Aligning with Business KPIs:
Strengthen creative ops' strategic value by aligning with measurable organizational goals.
Embedding Creativity in Teams:
Drive innovation by embedding creative professionals into multidisciplinary teams across the organization.
Strategic Partnerships and Leadership:
Identify allies within your organization to champion in-house capabilities and expand your team's scope.
Reflection Questions:
Explore prompts designed to challenge your thinking and inspire meaningful team discussions.
18 Apr 2024
E18 - Secrets of a People-Centric Creative Ops Leader w Bethany Thornton
00:40:30
In this episode, Bethany Thornton, former head of Creative Operations at Atlassian, shares her secrets of a people-centric approach to Creative Ops. She discusses how fostering communication, collaboration, and a culture of curiosity allowed Atlassian's creative organization to thrive through a period of rapid global growth.
Key Takeaways & Sound Bites
1. Onboarding as a Foundation for Success
"That was like the biggest thing for me was making sure that we had a solid foundation for people coming in. And that really empowered not just those individuals coming in, but the whole team, because people were able to operate that much faster as this cohesive unit, because everybody knew where to go for things, how we work."
2. Fostering Collaboration Through Listening Tours
"The best way for me to do my job was to just get into the weeds, understand things because I was building operations from the ground up. And so nothing, very little was documented when I started in the role. And so I wanted to make sure that I wasn't just creating things out of thin air and just saying, oh, well, this makes sense to me. I wanted to make sure that I really understood it and that I was doing right by the people that I was doing it for."
3. Adapting Intake Processes for Clarity and Efficiency
"Our intake process started with, hey, is this a new, is this a net new project? Is this a revision to something we've worked on with you before? Or is this just an idea that you want to chat about? And so they entered into our portal with those three options. And from there, it went into a form for them to fill in with as little information as was needed for us to get the conversation going."
4. Partnering with Other Operations Groups
"I think that one of the things that we really should be taking advantage of is working together with other operations groups; Marketing Operations, Design Operations, etc. Just the collaboration that can happen with this partnership, that's going to scale all of our teams so much in such a more efficient way and in a way that really energizes the teams. Because we're not just creating efficiencies within our team, making things a smoother process for our team, removing pain points within our team. We're doing it across teams, that is a game changer.
Questions or a different point of view than what you heard today? Drop me a line nish@creativeops.fm
E04 - Navigating Creative Ops Evolution - with Dmitry Shamis
00:40:38
Joining us is Dmitry Shamis whose experience includes brand and creative at SevenRooms, founding The Creative Brand, and heading creative and brand at HubSpot.
You’ll hear about the importance of creative operations as a connective hub, the role of self-service tools in accelerating marketing experiments, and the need for aligning creative operations with business KPIs.
Questions or a different point of view than what you heard today? Drop me a line nish@creativeops.fm
01:09 - Asking for the definition of creative operations. 02:15 - Discussing the evolution of creative operations. 05:22 - Emphasizing creative operations' purpose. 08:18 - Shifting focus from operations to strategy. 10:19 - Highlighting marketer-creative relationship. 13:11 - Balancing creativity with efficiency. 17:21 - Exploring self-service's role in creativity. 21:55 - Focusing on business outcomes. 28:26 - Reflecting on creative operations' strategic role. 31:42 - Aligning creative ops with marketing KPIs. 35:32 - Summarizing key points, transitioning to close. 37:57 - Reflecting on AI's future in creativity. 39:46 - Concluding interview, inviting listener interaction.
02 Oct 2024
E29 - Redefining Creative Operations. Adapting to the New Normal w Brianne Gallagher of Wayfair
01:03:46
Brianne Gallagher, Head of Creative Operations at Wayfair, shares innovative strategies for reimagining creative operations. Drawing parallels with Hollywood production methods, she introduces concepts like the "producer mindset" and strategic "casting" of talent, while exploring how to balance human creativity with AI capabilities to drive breakthrough innovations.
5 of 10 Key Takeaways:
The "Producer Mindset": Adopting a Hollywood-inspired approach to creative operations involves strategically "casting" talent based on their unique strengths or "majors and minors," rather than just job titles. This method enhances team dynamics and project outcomes.
Balancing AI and Human Creativity: While AI offers unprecedented efficiency and scale in content creation, it risks producing a "sea of sameness." The key is to leverage AI's capabilities while prioritizing human-driven storytelling and emotional connection to maintain creative distinctiveness.
Redefining Success Metrics: Traditional KPIs fall short in measuring creative impact. Innovative approaches that incorporate qualitative metrics to capture emotional resonance and audience sentiment are crucial for truly understanding creative performance.
The Rise of the Creative Technologist: This emerging role bridges the gap between creative teams and cutting-edge technology, helping organizations effectively adapt to and leverage new tools, especially AI.
Data Literacy for Creatives: In the AI era, data skills are essential for creative professionals. Data literacy empowers creatives to make informed decisions, demonstrate their value, and contribute strategically to business goals.
EP 38 - Specsavers’ Secret: How Creative Ops Drive Brand Success
01:30:36
Guest Information
Name: Julia Arenson
Title: Head of Creative Operations
Organization: Specsavers
Expertise:
Transforming in-house agencies from production hubs to strategic creative powerhouses
Integrating creative operations into brand strategy and business impact
Navigating the cultural shift from agency to in-house leadership
Episode Summary
Julia Arenson, Head of Creative Operations at Specsavers, shares how their in-house agency evolved from a production-focused team to a strategic force behind one of the UK’s most iconic brands. We explore her journey from agency life to leading creative ops at Specsavers, the critical role of creative operations in brand success, and how AI is reshaping the creative landscape.
Key Takeaways
Creative Ops as a Brand Superpower:
Creative operations are more than project management; they’re the connective tissue linking brand strategy, storytelling, and business impact.
Culture Shock: Agency vs. In-House:
Julia shares the surprising cultural differences between agency life and in-house roles, including a memorable moment when flickering lights signaled a healthier work-life balance.
Data-Driven Creativity:
Specsavers uses data to optimize creative processes without stifling innovation, blending performance metrics with strategic storytelling.
AI’s Role in Creative Ops:
Julia discusses how AI is reshaping creative work, from automating tasks to challenging the uniqueness of brand identity in an AI-driven world.
Onboarding for Success:
A robust onboarding process at Specsavers helps new team members deeply understand the brand, ensuring alignment with business goals and fostering collaboration.
Balancing Efficiency and Creativity:
The Specsavers team uses frameworks that allow for both consistent brand storytelling and creative flexibility across markets.
Future-Proofing Creative Teams:
Embracing continuous learning, strategic thinking, and AI integration are key to staying ahead in the evolving creative landscape.
Empowering Teams Through Systems:
Effective creative operations create an environment where teams thrive, ensuring people are connected to the brand’s purpose and set up for success.
22 Jan 2025
EP 36 - To Refactor or Not: AI’s Impact on Tech Stacks
01:34:02
Guest Information
Name: Jarrod Gingras
Title: Managing Director & Analyst
Organization: Real Story Group
Expertise:
Marketing and workplace technology evaluation
Aligning technology with strategic goals
Digital content and customer data platforms
Episode Summary
In this episode, Jarrod Gingras shares his expertise on navigating the seismic shifts AI brings to creative operations and tech stacks. He breaks down how AI demands clean data, aligned content, and strategic decisions, and explains why refactoring your tech stack might be essential for staying competitive. This conversation is packed with actionable insights for leaders and teams navigating this critical inflection point in creative operations.
Key Takeaways
Refactoring vs. Staying the Course:
AI has introduced foundational changes to creative operations, making tech stack alignment essential.
Content, Data, and Decisions:
These three elements form the backbone of successful AI adoption. Clean data and aligned content are non-negotiable.
Human in the Loop:
AI workflows require human oversight to ensure meaningful and relevant outcomes.
Breaking Down Silos:
Collaboration between content and data teams is critical for creating impactful AI-driven solutions.
Future-Proofing Your Tech Stack:
Assess your systems for scalability, data fluidity, and integration with AI tools.
Personalization at Scale:
AI enables always-on workflows but requires a foundational shift in how content and data are managed.
Actionable Frameworks:
Jarrod outlines practical steps for leaders to assess and update their tech stacks strategically.
The Existential Question:
To refactor or not to refactor? The answer depends on your current system’s readiness for AI integration.
15 Jan 2025
EP 35 - In-House Evolution vs. Offshore Extinction: The AI Revolution
01:07:43
This episode explores the potential role of AI in disrupting offshore production and accelerating in-house innovation. Penri Jones shares his bold perspectives on the evolution of workflows, modular storytelling, and why creativity remains the ultimate differentiator in an AI-driven world.
Key Takeaways
The Economic Disruption:
AI is fundamentally reshaping the business model of creative production.
Offshore production may face obsolescence as in-house operations leverage AI to scale and innovate.
From Linear to Modular Workflows:
Brands must move from traditional workflows to modular, AI-enabled storytelling.
This approach enables hyper-personalized content and one-to-one consumer connections.
Creative’s True Differentiator:
Creativity—not technology—remains the ultimate edge in the AI era.
Leaders must balance automation with imaginative, human-driven work.
Leadership in Transition:
Leaders must ask critical questions about how AI integrates into their teams.
Identifying opportunities for upskilling and workflow innovation is key.
Future-Proofing with AI:
Build adaptable teams ready to embrace AI-driven change.
Engage in proactive discussions about the ethical and practical implications of AI in creative work.
Reflection Questions Segment
Stick around after the interview for Nish’s Reflection Questions segment. Here, Nish shares his insights and poses thought-provoking questions sparked by the conversation with his guest. It’s an invitation to shift gears—from listening mode to thinking mode—and ultimately into action mode, serving as a launchpad for bold possibilities of what creative operations is and can become.
E17 - Creative Ops Dots: Purpose; Creative Ops Vocabulary; Change, Grandpas & Bruce Lee
00:39:28
Summary
In this episode, I discuss:
Purpose of this Podcast: sharing my What, Why & How. "..... to facilitate the evolution of creative operations and help define what it is and what it can be......"
Creative Ops Vocabulary: the power of the words we use to create the stories we want to come true (i.e. people provide feedback on time). "....for example .... the language and story of Easy Mode vs Hard Mode... changes the framing of how recipients of notifications think about their responsibilities."
Change: the changing landscape of change management and the need for creative operations leaders to think differently about change management. ".....this is not our grandfather's change management. The environment has changed, and we need to think differently....."
E30 - The AI Meteor: Evolution, Extinction, & the Future of Creative Services w Wesley ter Haar of Monks
01:04:51
In this critical episode for creative operations and creative leaders, we dive deep into the AI revolution with Wesley ter Haar, co-founder of Monks. Wesley shares invaluable insights on how AI is reshaping creative workflows, team structures, and business models. This conversation is essential listening for any leader looking to future-proof their operations and creative processes to leverage AI for competitive advantage.
Key Insights
Redefining Workflow Efficiency:
How AI is collapsing traditional departmental functions
Balancing AI-driven "Scale" workflows with human-centric "Story" processes
Strategies for integrating AI into existing creative operations
Evolving Team Structures:
Moving from rigid departments to fluid, AI-augmented project teams
Identifying roles at risk of AI displacement and areas for human upskilling
Fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptation
Transforming the Creative Process:
Using AI as "middleware for human imagination"
Reimagining briefing, ideation, and production workflows with AI
Maintaining brand consistency and emotional resonance in AI-assisted work
Rethinking Performance Metrics:
Moving beyond billable hours to value-based compensation models
New KPIs for measuring AI-enhanced productivity and creativity
Balancing efficiency gains with quality and innovation metrics
Strategic Client Management:
Educating clients on AI capabilities and limitations
Differentiating services in an AI-saturated market
Leveraging AI for improved client insights and personalization
Ethical Considerations and Risk Management:
Developing guidelines for AI use in creative work
Addressing copyright and ownership issues in AI-generated content
Ensuring data privacy and security in AI-driven operations
Future-Proofing Creative Operations:
Wesley's vision of a near-term "creative renaissance"
Identifying new revenue streams and service offerings enabled by AI
Preparing for the next wave of AI advancements
Quotable Moments
"The AI meteor has struck the creative industry. The question isn't if you'll be affected, but how quickly you can evolve."
"It's about using AI to amplify human creativity, not replace it. We're becoming expert AI collaborators, not obsolete creatives."
Action Items
Conduct an AI readiness assessment of your current operations
Identify pilot projects for AI integration in your creative workflow
Develop an AI upskilling program for your team
Review and update your creative process to incorporate AI touchpoints
Engage clients in discussions about AI's role in your services
Thought-Provoking Questions
How can creative leaders balance the efficiency of AI with the need for original, breakthrough ideas that maintain a brand's unique voice and emotional resonance?
What new skills and roles should creative operations leaders prioritize developing in their teams to thrive in an AI-augmented environment, and how might this reshape traditional creative department structures?
How might AI transform the entire creative process, from briefing and ideation to production and optimization, and what new workflows or methodologies should agencies adopt to leverage these changes effectively?
Engage:
Join the CreativeOpsFM Community: TEXT 1.917.810.3425
Questions or a different point of view than what you heard today? Drop me a line nish@creativeops.fm
EP 43 Learning to Lead: Why Upskilling in Creative Ops Matters More Than Ever
00:53:11
Guest Information
Name: Amy Strickland
Title: Instructor, Advanced Creative Operations Program
Organization: Rutgers
Expertise:
Expert in Creative Ops Leadership, Systems Thinking, and Team Optimization
Name: Alicia Nicely
Title: Senior Manager, Creative Operations
Organization: Kidde Global Solutions
Expertise:
Specialist in Scaling Teams, Data-Driven Decision Making, and Process Development
Episode Summary The creative operations field is evolving fast—and the professionals who invest in learning won’t just keep up, they’ll lead.
In this episode, Amy Strickland and Alicia Nicely break down how education in creative operations isn’t just valuable—it’s career-changing.
Alicia’s journey is proof. She was already doing creative ops without the title, but after completing the Rutgers Advanced Creative Operations Program, she gained the strategic skills, leadership mindset, and KPI-driven approach to transform her role and scale her team.
Amy, an educator and creative ops strategist, shares why structured learning is essential for professionals looking to advance, and how the right training helps move from execution to strategy.
If you’ve ever wondered whether formal education in creative ops is worth it, this episode will answer that question—and show you exactly how it can accelerate your career.
Key Takeaways
You can’t manage the future with yesterday’s skills:
Creative operations is shifting from execution to strategic leadership—and professionals who upskill will be the ones who lead that shift.
Formal education in creative ops isn’t just theory—it’s career acceleration :
Alicia applied what she learned immediately at work, using KPI tracking, workflow optimization, and leadership strategies to scale her team and gain executive buy-in.
If leadership doesn’t recognize creative ops, you have to advocate for it:
Learning how to speak the language of business impact, data, and efficiency is key to positioning creative ops as a must-have, not a nice-to-have.
Education gives you a framework—so you don’t have to build everything from scratch:
Instead of learning through trial and error, structured programs teach proven methods for scaling teams, improving processes, and driving impact.
The best creative ops leaders never stop learning:
AI and automation will optimize workflows, but leadership is the X factor—and the ones who keep learning will be the ones driving the future..
EP 39 - What Is Creativity in the age of AI: Makers & Machines
01:33:05
Guest Information
Name: Alexia Adana
Title: Director of Creative Technology and Innovation
Organization: Edelman
Expertise:
Creative technology
AI-driven storytelling
Democratizing creative tools for underrepresented communities
Episode Summary How does AI impact creativity—does it empower new forms of artistic expression or dilute human ingenuity? In this episode, we sit down with Alexia Adana, Director of Creative Technology and Innovation at Edelman, to explore the evolving intersection of AI and creativity. From democratizing creative tools to redefining artistic workflows, Alexia shares insights into AI as both a collaborator and a challenge to human storytelling.
Key Takeaways
AI as a Creative Partner :
AI can expand human creativity by serving as a brainstorming and ideation tool rather than replacing original thought.
The Risk of Creative Homogenization :
Overreliance on AI-generated content can lead to a loss of originality and distinctive artistic voices.
The Role of Intentionality:
Creatives must be mindful of when and how they use AI to enhance, rather than dilute, their unique perspectives.
Democratizing Creative Access:
AI lowers barriers to entry for storytelling, allowing emerging artists—especially those from underrepresented backgrounds—to create at a higher level.
AI as a Thought Partner, Not an Easy Button:
The best use of AI is as a "creative therapist"—helping creatives refine ideas, expand perspectives, and push boundaries rather than simply generating output.
12 Jan 2024
E06 - My Takeaways from E3 w/ Michelle Vincent
00:17:53
The 'Takeaways' episodes offer my key insights and actionable ideas from our guest interviews. Through these episodes I am sharing what I am learning and some of the dots that I am connecting along the way.
Questions or a different point of view than what you heard today? Drop me a line nish@creativeops.fm
Timestamps: 00:00 - Introducing Takeaways Episodes 02:22 - Principle 1: Bringing Creatives Along 04:42 - Principle 2: Positioning Storytelling as a Central Creative Superpower (w Creators in the Middle) 07:01 - Principle 3: Cultivating a Culture of Transparent Experimentation with AI 09:17 - Exploring Open Forum Webinars and AI Experimentation Approaches 11:41 - Discussing Storytelling as the Original Algorithm and AI's Role in Expanding Creativity 14:01 - 3 Follow Up Questions I Would Like to ask Michelle
05 Mar 2025
EP 41 - Leadership in an Era of Constant Change
01:22:58
Guest Information
Name: Jason Holzman
Title: SVP, Creative, Production, and Brand Strategy
Organization: Macy’s
Expertise:
Creative leadership in retail, media, and advertising
Scaling creative teams in high-growth and high-change environments
AI’s role in creative operations
Episode Summary The future of creative leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about navigating uncertainty with trust, adaptability, and a new mindset. In this episode, we sit down with Jason Holzman, SVP of Creative, Production, and Brand Strategy at Macy’s, to explore how leaders can shift from control to enablement, balance execution with creativity in the age of AI, and build trust through transparency, empathy, and positivity. Whether you’re a creative ops leader, project manager, or CMO, this conversation is packed with insights on leading through disruption and thriving when the old playbooks no longer work.
Key Takeaways
Leadership in creative ops is no longer about control—it’s about enablement :
The best leaders aren’t making every decision; they’re creating the conditions for better decisions to be made.
Trust is the most underrated skill in leadership :
Uncertainty isn’t going away, but teams that trust their leaders—and each other—move through change faster and more effectively.
AI is shifting the balance between execution and creativity:
Leaders must rethink how they measure value, ensuring that efficiency doesn’t come at the cost of originality.
Transparency, empathy, and positivity aren’t just buzzwords—they’re survival strategies:
In times of rapid change, clarity and human connection are what keep creative teams engaged and performing.
The future of leadership is about designing for change, not just reacting to it:
The best teams aren’t waiting for stability—they’re building systems that thrive in uncertainty.
23 May 2024
E21 - Grassroots Creative Ops: From Chaos to Efficiency w the Jeffrey Lash & Roman Kuebler of Under Armour
00:45:37
In this episode, we'll take you behind the scenes with Roman Kuebler and Jeffrey Lash, the dynamic duo of creative ops at Under Armour. They share their secret sauce for building a well-oiled creative operations enabled content supply chain from the ground up, one template, one process at a time.
Key Takeaways:
1. Empathy as the Foundation for Effective Creative Operations: Understanding the pain points and needs of creative teammates is crucial for developing processes that stick.
2. Collaboratively Creating Guardrails for Creatives: Providing structure and templates that ensure brand consistency and quality while allowing for creative freedom.
3. Influencing Without Authority: Strategically building trust and credibility with partners and stakeholders through a grassroots approach.
4. The Power of Incremental Improvements: Continuously chipping away at problems and making small changes to transform the content supply chain over time.
5. Balancing Process and Creativity: Finding the right balance between left-brain (process-oriented) and right-brain (creative problem-solving) thinking in creative operations.
Questions or a different point of view than what you heard today? Drop me a line nish@creativeops.fm
Enhance your understanding of CreativeOps Podcast with My Podcast Data
At My Podcast Data, we strive to provide in-depth, data-driven insights into the world of podcasts. Whether you're an avid listener, a podcast creator, or a researcher, the detailed statistics and analyses we offer can help you better understand the performance and trends of CreativeOps Podcast. From episode frequency and shared links to RSS feed health, our goal is to empower you with the knowledge you need to stay informed and make the most of your podcasting experience. Explore more shows and discover the data that drives the podcast industry.
