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.

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.

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.  

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

This preview was generated utilizing Google's Notebook LLM to produce an engaging discussion about the upcoming full episode with John Pagano. 

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.

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.

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.