Celeste Stroud Jones
🌟Overview:
I am a seasoned Creative Operations/Production Director with over two decades of unparalleled experience working with premier agencies from Los Angeles to Atlanta. Initially grounded in Integrated Production, I delved into diverse domains: tech, gaming, content, AV, and digital. This rich tapestry of experience paved the way for my transition to leading Creative Operations at Prime Video Marketing. Recognized for my deep-seated expertise in both creative operations and production dynamics, I have consistently been the catalyst behind optimal performance, heightened efficiency, and breakthrough innovation. My leadership journey is dotted with stewardships of high-caliber clientele, notably Activision, Samsung, and the Grammy Awards, especially during my tenures at esteemed agencies like DuetschLA, 72 and Sunny, and TBWA\Chiat\Day. My penchant for innovation is further evidenced by the initiatives I pioneered in workflow streamlining, drastically cutting down content creation cycles. My capabilities are not just limited to operations; I also steered monumental production endeavors for industry titans such as Nissan, SONY PlayStation, and Starbucks.
🌟Experience:
Amazon Prime Video – Culver City, California
Sr. Program Manager: Brand Marketing/Operations
January 2024 - Present
Expanded role from Creative Operations to oversee end-to-end brand program management and operations processes, managing multiple agencies across various mediums and disciplines for comprehensive creative campaign execution.
Strategic Leadership: Drive strategic direction and execution of brand marketing initiatives aligned with business objectives and market trends.
Budget Management: Oversee high-level budget planning and allocation for brand marketing campaigns, optimizing resource use.
High-Impact Campaigns: Lead development and execution of campaigns to enhance brand visibility and drive customer engagement.
Cross-functional collaboration: Collaborate with senior leaders across creative, media, product, and finance teams to deliver impactful marketing strategies.
Performance Metrics and Analysis: Develop metrics to measure the success of brand marketing activities, providing actionable insights for improvement.
Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong relationships with key stakeholders, facilitating effective communication and strategic decision-making.
Process Optimization: Implement improvements to enhance efficiency within brand marketing, driving operational excellence.
Amazon/MGM Studios Marketing – Culver City, California
Senior Creative Operations Manager
July 2021 - November 2023
Team Establishment: Established and led the Creative Account Management team, bridging the gap between creative and operational processes.
Team Leadership: Led a dynamic team of Integrated producers, fostering a collaborative and efficient work environment.
Spearheaded a long-term forecasting mechanism to predict resource needs and business trends.
Introduced standardized creative briefs, ensuring a consistent approach to all creative projects.
Implemented Scrum methodology, enhancing the team's agility, responsiveness, and collaboration.
Developed the "front door" platform on the department's Wiki, centralizing project intake and fostering improved cross-departmental communication.
Constantly innovated behind-the-scenes processes, ensuring continuous improvement and optimization in creative production.
Oversaw the integration and innovation of project management tools, streamlining workflows and improving efficiency.
Focused on creative resource management, ensuring optimal talent assignment across various projects.
Enhanced cross-functional collaboration, building trust and improving communication flows with creative partners.
Continuously evaluated and refined processes, ensuring consistent alignment with business goals and effective resource utilization.
Jam City – Culver City, California
Mobile Games Producer - Lead
October 2019 - July 2021
Led the successful launch of "Wild Things Animal Adventures" in 4 months after overcoming 5 years of development challenges.
Managed multi-track development of game refreshes, ensuring timely delivery and consistent quality.
Oversaw a team of 2 Assistant Producers and a Live Ops Manager, ensuring optimal coordination across the board.
Collaborated with Product Management to identify and focus on high-impact game development areas.
Ensured continuous alignment of resources with the executive management team's vision, facilitating the achievement of game goals.
Left Field Labs – Venice, California (Freelance)
Product Manager/Sr. Producer
2018 - 2019
Served as a SCRUM Master and Product Manager, driving Android App development projects to completion.
Provided leadership across a range of digital and interactive projects, managing from conception to delivery.
Successfully launched three digital apps in 2018, meeting all client specifications and quality standards.
Worked closely with high-profile clients such as Google and ToneItUp, ensuring tailored solutions to meet their unique needs.
Continuously enhanced and refined internal processes, ensuring optimal efficiency and alignment with business objectives.
Envoy Collective – Irvine, California (Freelance)
Product Manager/Sr. Producer
2017 - 2018
Managed the Verizon Telematics Global Launch, overseeing all production from pre-production to post.
Produced a wide array of collateral, from Brand Guidelines to National Print campaigns and Digital Assets.
Collaborated closely with creative teams, ensuring the best possible creative and production methods.
Sourced and evaluated vendors, ensuring top-tier production support.
Streamlined communication, ensuring close alignment with client needs from project inception to delivery.
72 and Sunny – Los Angeles, California
Sr. Interactive Producer
2014 - 2017
Managed budgets, timelines, and resource allocation for clients like Activision, Samsung, Marvel, Starbucks and ESPN.
Collaborated with creative teams to outline and finalize user interface design specifications.
Managed client expectations and ensured smooth communication flow throughout the production process.
Oversaw activities with third-party partners, ensuring synchronized and efficient production.
Evaluated and sourced quality vendors, matching creative projects with the best possible resources.
TBWA\Chiat\Day – Los Angeles, California
Interactive Producer
2008 - 2014
Managed content integration and site updates for prominent clients like Diet Pepsi, Nissan, Infiniti, The Grammys and Singapore Airlines.
Resolved production-related issues and implemented preventive measures to avoid future challenges.
Developed and maintained comprehensive project documentation, ensuring all stakeholders remained informed.
Acted as the primary point of contact across departments and with client partners.
Successfully managed complex projects, ensuring scope, schedules, and budgets were consistently adhered to.
Deutsch LA – Los Angeles, California
Digital Producer
December 2006 - August 2008
Managed budgets, timelines, and resources for clients like SONY PlayStation and DIRECTV.
Collaborated with creative teams on user interface design specifications and final integrations.
Handled client communications related to production, managing expectations and ensuring satisfaction.
Addressed and resolved production-related challenges, implementing preventive measures where necessary.
Managed content integration and site updates, ensuring all platforms remained current and functional.
🌟Early Years (the start of my career in Atlanta)
MCS. Inc. (Matchlight Interactive) – Atlanta, Georgia/Fullerton, California
Interactive Producer
February 2005 – May 2006
Effective Project Execution: Delivered projects on time and within budget, showcasing exceptional project management skills.
Web Development Supervision: Managed outsourced web projects throughout their lifecycle, from ideation to launch.
In-depth Documentation: Authored comprehensive project documents including functional requirements, sitemaps, wireframes, and flowcharts.
Stakeholder Collaboration: Spearheaded communications with various stakeholders, from business owners to the development team, to ensure seamless project execution.
Marketing & Launch Campaigns: Partnered with clients and Account Executives to execute multifaceted campaigns spanning print media, digital launches, and local promotions.
Project Manager
December 2002 – January 2005
End-to-End Project Management: Oversaw project elements from initial concept to delivery, ensuring client satisfaction.
Client Communication: Established open communication channels between the client base and technical teams, enhancing project clarity.
Relationship Building: Fostered and maintained valuable contacts, paving the way for future business collaborations.
Optimized Workflow: Developed logistics plans to enhance project workflow and maximize resource utilization.
Custom Marketing Programs: Collaborated with clients to formulate bespoke marketing initiatives, including trade shows and promotional events.
Interstate America – Norcross, Georgia
Marketing Product Manager
November 2000 - December 2002
Product Line Strategy: Orchestrated a unified marketing approach for the eXitSource® product line, earning a nomination for the 2001 Cellmania WAPPY AWARD at CTIA Las Vegas.
Advertising & Media Planning: Managed product placements, advertising campaigns, and media outreach, increasing brand visibility.
Team Leadership: Supervised a talented trio in product development and design, fostering a collaborative work environment.
Design Expertise: Created compelling promotional pieces, banner advertisements, and presentations to capture target audiences.
Budget Management: Successfully planned, allocated, and supervised quarterly budgets, ensuring financial prudence.
ComputerJobs.com – Atlanta, Georgia
Marketing Services Project Coordinator
November 1999 - November 2000
Interdepartmental Collaboration: Worked closely with Content Development, Marketing, and PR Directors to coordinate key projects.
Event Coordination: Managed end-to-end online sweepstakes, ensuring seamless event execution.
Sales Collateral Development: Conceptualized, designed, and coordinated impactful sales materials.
Online Newsletter Creation: Designed an engaging online newsletter and authored relevant content to engage the platform's user base.
Print Campaign Management: Collaborated with ad agencies to oversee direct mail campaigns, maximizing outreach.
World Travel Partners – Atlanta, Georgia
Marketing Coordinator
1998 - 1999
Support Marketing Initiatives: Assisted in the formulation and execution of marketing strategies, supporting the broader marketing team.
Elrick & Lavidge (Interserve Market Research) – Tucker, Georgia
Marketing Assistant
1995 - 1997
Administrative Duties: Managed scheduling, meeting coordination, and other administrative tasks to ensure smooth department operations.
🌟Education
American Intercontinental University, 1997 -1998 - Marketing & Merchandising
Georgia State University 1998 - 2002 Marketing
Certified Scrum Master
🌟 Brands I've Worked With:
Activision
Amazon Studios &Prime Video
Crate & Barrel
Diet Pepsi
DirecTV
ESPN
Google
The Grammy Awards
Infiniti
Johnson & Johnson
JamCity
Kraft
Mitchell and Ness
Nissan
Pinkberry
Real California Milk
Samsung
Shutterfly
Singapore Airlines
Sony Playstation
Stacy's Pita Chips
Starbucks
Target
United Healthcare
CELESTE STROUD JONES - MARKETING, CREATIVE OPERATIONS & PRODUCTION
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