On this episode of Creator Ops, I talk with Chris Smith, the Head of Agency & Partnerships at The Gold Studios — a creative studio that works with YouTube creators to produce some of the platform’s biggest shows.

Chris leads celebrity and brand partnerships, oversees campaign management, and works closely with both agents and rising talent to build standout digital media collaborations across YouTube and beyond.

Whether it’s structuring long-term sponsorships, helping creators land premium brand deals, or innovating on new monetization strategies, Chris brings deep insight into what makes partnerships actually work in this space.

During our conversation, we talk through:

• How most managers and agents actually sell brand deals today — and why the old way often falls short
• Why creative-first pitching beats rate cards and unlocks higher-value sponsorships
• A tactical walkthrough of Chris’s brand deal process: from outreach to pricing to closing
• How to sell YouTube integrations by matching upcoming videos with brand goals
• The importance of planning content calendars ahead to increase sell-through and repeat brand work
• Why short-form is crowded—and how long-form YouTube sponsorships are still undervalued
• Creative ideas for mixing traditional advertising formats (like logo ramping) into YouTube content

Links:
Chris Smith's LinkedIn
The Gold Studio

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About:

Creator Ops teaches you how to become a great manager or operator for creators.

As the creator economy gains momentum, the need for great operators is dramatically increasing. These are the people behind the creators who help with product development, finances, sponsorships, content strategy, and much more.

We’ll interview the industry's best managers and operators to understand how they're shaping this rapidly changing space.

Connect with me (Thomas Schreiber) on:
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If you have any questions, comments, or feedback, send me an email: thomas@creatoropsmedia.com