Creative Operations Architect

I build the systems that make creative work.

With a background rooted in the fast-paced world of global beauty and consumer goods, I specialize in transforming in-house creative friction into seamless workflow. I bridge the gap between high-level ambition and execution, ensuring your creative "machine" runs with the same precision and elegance as your products.

Where creative excellence meets operational precision.

Let's Talk!

Brand Stories Told

Client-side and agency-side, I've developed creative work and told stories for some of the world's top brands.

About Me

Elissa Strell

Creative Operations Leader

A career built out of relationship-building, brand ambassadorship, my superpower is leveraging my innate problem-solving mastery to drive brand growth and champion creative excellence.

With over 15 years of experience operating at the intersection of strategy and execution, I've built scalable systems and ways of working that elicit efficiency in process and best-in-class delivery of on-brand, on-budget marketing initiatives.

From marketing strategy to project management and execution, I have led global teams to excellence for a host of discerning clients including Tom Ford Beauty, Shiseido Americas, Estée Lauder (Clinique) Goldman Sachs, Verizon, MetLife, and Bacardí.

A lifelong New Jersey resident, I hold a BA in Broadcast & Digital Communications from The George Washington University.

Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.

- EDGAR DEGAS

How I Can Help You

Creative Operations Solutions

Transform in-house creative chaos to creative calm with implementation of vetted and scalable creative processes, tools assessment and optimizations, and change management solutions tailored to your team's specific needs.

Two middle age business workers smiling happy and confident. Working together with smile on face hand giving high five at the office

Account Management

Focusing on outcomes over deliverables, I act as the connective tissue between creative teams and business stakeholders. I'll dig deep to understand the client's brand, their business goals, and the pressure to deliver high-volume, high-performing content by streamlining communication for a true strategic partnership.

Photo & Video Shoot Production

Plan it. Shoot it. Produce it. Share it. Across your most important media channels, I oversee the end-to-end production lifecycle to ensure high-velocity content creation remains on-brand, on-budget and optimized for multi-channel growth.

work flow

Vendor/Agency Management

Looking for the right agency partner but don't know where to start? I can help you identify the challenge, write the RFP brief, and source the right vendors--building the right pricing model--for your team's needs.

Creative Project Management

A creative team is only as good as the project managers who guide them. From proper lead times to execution, I manage teams who ensure timely delivery and adherence to budget, brand, and brief.

Proofreading / Copy Editing

With over 15 years of marketing campaign experience, I'll ensure your brand voice is consistent and carries editorial precision at every touchpoint.

Creativity takes COURAGE.

- HENRI MATISSE

Video Highlight: Clé de Peau x Benjamin Puckey

Photographer: Stephen & Rebecca

People are Talking...

"Elissa and I worked together during her time at eg+ when the agency won MetLife as a global production client. Elissa was instrumental in transitioning the eg+ team to take over MetLife's internal production studio in the midst of a global rebrand for the organization. Whatever challenges arose, I knew Elissa was only a phone call away, and would see to it that every challenge was approached with understanding, strategy, and calm. Elissa is a proven client services professional who takes ownership and leads with confidence. She would make a valuable addition to any brand or agency."

Sam Schoenfield, former client, General Manager, Digital Matter

"Elissa immediately elevates the creative effectiveness of any marketing team she joins. She’s a clear communicator and meticulous planner, always committed to excellence. Whether it’s guiding teams through creative development or orchestrating seamless on-set productions, Elissa's leadership is indispensable. She consistently implements and leverages the latest technology to optimize processes and achieve results on realistic timelines. Her proficiency in navigating creativity, marketing, digital, e-commerce, and contractual considerations sets her apart. Her passion for creative and positive attitude make her a joy to work with. "

Jessie Dawes, CMO, Diptyque US

"Elissa is a professional, experienced, and proven Account leader, with a natural ability to connect with people, build strong client relationships and develop business. She is a dedicated and focused self-starter, who takes full ownership of her role and always strives to go above and beyond. Elissa brings a spectrum of experience across sectors and is a strategic thinker, consistently up to speed on the industry and players. She would be a valuable asset to any marketing services company, whether client, agency, or production side. I would work with Elissa again in a heartbeat. And she has a great sense of humor!"

George Ashbrook, EVP Client Lead, Publicis Production

"I had the good fortune of working with Elissa at Clinique, where she worked in creative ops, and again later at Shiseido where she led the Creative team for Shiseido and Clé de Peau. Elissa is a consummate professional, very organized, highly strategic, and able to work seamlessly across different disciplines. Elissa has the ability and maturity to bring together different disciplines and align them in a task. I have been very fortunate to work with Elissa twice. She is an incredible asset and also a pleasure to work with."

Agnes Landau, Former CMO Shiseido US

"Elissa is an amazing professional and a great person to work with. We have worked together re-organizing the internal creative services for Shiseido brand in the US, implementing new processes and ways of working. The team gained many efficiencies under her leadership and improved the overall quality of our creative assets. I strongly support Elissa and I hope we will work together again in the near future."

Daniel Bruzzone, Former SVP Marketing, Dr. Dennis Gross

"I had the pleasure of working with Elissa at Williams Lea Tag, where she managed a global client relationship with creative hubs across various continents. Elissa was my manager, but rarely did it feel that way - despite us being located in different countries she has an ability to inspire the best from people by being a great coach, mentor and friend. I was in awe of her ability to deliver results, despite complex targets and seemingly impossible client expectations around data and metrics tracking. The team operated as a small business within a larger organization, thus proving Elissa has the expertise to excel in any environment."

Ross Dishley, Managing Director, Westhill Communications, UK
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