Creative Ops Compass

Most creative leaders think asking for a smaller budget will help them get approval for a studio. They're wrong. In this episode, Lauren Jensen of Provost Studio explains why that approach backfires, and shares the frameworks she uses to help in-house teams navigate the complex process of winning studio approval. From deciding whether to build in the first place through execution and beyond, Lauren reveals why this is fundamentally a transformation project about people and relationships, not

Jesse speaks with Tim Bradley, founder of Pennant Video, about why in-house creative teams tend to play it safe and what that caution costs them over time. Tim shares insights from running a video agency that collaborates regularly with internal teams, revealing the dynamics that keep teams stuck in risk-averse patterns and the practical steps leaders can take to break the cycle.About the GuestTim Bradley is the founder of Pennant Video, a mid-funnel focused video agency specializing in the critical

In this solo episode, Jesse tackles a question that comes up constantly with in-house creative teams: should there be a mandate requiring stakeholders to work with you instead of external agencies? Jesse shares his honest perspective on why mandates often backfire, when they might actually make sense, and what it takes to build a team that stakeholders choose to work with rather than one they're forced to use.Key Topics DiscussedWhy mandates can signal weakness and create the perception that your

In this episode, Jesse speaks with Priya Shah, CEO and founder of Shah Squared Consulting, about one of the most frustrating challenges for in-house creative teams: getting process improvements to actually stick after implementation.Priya brings over 15 years of experience helping global companies, startups, and mission-driven organizations enhance their social media presence and operations. In this conversation, she shares hard-won insights about why implementations fail, how to get real

Jesse speaks with Joel Kaplan, founder of MK3 Creative, about how in-house creative teams can build stronger, more productive relationships with external agencies. Joel shares nearly 30 years of insights from the agency side, revealing what separates one-off projects from long-term partnerships and how better communication in the intake process saves both time and money for everyone involved.About the GuestJoel Kaplan is the founder of MK3 Creative, a Boston area creative agency with nearly three

Welcome to the Creative Ops Compass podcast!