Leejon Killingsworth

About Leejon Killingsworth

I work with founders and operators who are intense about results but refuse to sell their soul in the process. The best teams I’ve known are deadly serious about execution and still fun enough to enjoy the work.I consider myself an unshakable optimist who believes brands can become movements when vision, authenticity, and relentless execution align. My work centers on championing the people and stories behind great ideas, then turning those stories into strategies that cut through noise, scale markets, and shape culture.I’ve conducted “boots-on-the-ground” market research across twelve countries and more than three hundred cities, researching the world’s top resorts, restaurants and bars. I’ve seen the same pattern repeat: when story, strategy, and intensity move together, extraordinary can things happen. A single New York dive bar becomes a billion-dollar entertainment brand. A new kind of energy drink breaks through the most crowded category in CPG. Attention follows clear and compelling storytelling.As Chief Marketing Officer of Coyote Ugly, I helped grow a local bar into a global brand. Along the way, I’ve partnered with Coca-Cola, Red Bull, Harley-Davidson, and NASCAR, and co-founded FAMUS; an ultra-premium, natural performance energy drink built with chef-quality ingredients and designed by mixologists.Today, I work with founders, leadership teams, and brands to:• Define brand positioning and storytelling that actually connects and scales• Build campaign and content strategies that earn attention across platforms• Develop digital, experiential, and paid strategies with performance in mind• Create video and visual content designed for reach, retention, and action• Write clear, human sounding messaging optimized for search, AI, and real people• Support long-form thinking through articles, ghostwriting, and thought leadership• Craft emails, landing pages, and narratives that convert without sounding spammy• Write using AI as an assistant, not the author, so your copy doesn’t sound roboticEvery project I take on shares one aim: to build something impossible to ignore. Something that changes how people feel, connect, and behave.That philosophy is also the foundation of my upcoming book, Make ’Em Look—a playbook for founders and leaders who want to turn raw ideas into stories that command attention in a crowded market. It explores why no one is paying attention to you & how the winners (rig) design systems that make attention inevitable.If you’re building something you care deeply about ( & you want people to notice) we should talk.

Experience

1. Chief Marketing and Retail Officer Owner Partner

   Coyote Ugly Saloon

   Jan 2002 — Present

   SummaryTransformative Business Maverick & Global Expansion ArchitectOver 20 years of experience in turning bars, restaurants, and nightclubs into globally renowned brands.Orchestrated a historic $1b+ in sales and pioneered the world\'s first billion-dollar grossing bar brand.Excel in operations management, global strategy, brand transformation, and B2B partnerships. ExperienceCoyote Ugly Saloon | Chief Marketing Officer, Global Operations ManagerYear Started - Year EndedEngineered the world\'s first billion-dollar bar brand.Spearheaded a 1519% increase in system-wide hospitality sales, totaling over $775M.Oversaw the launch of 38 locations across 12 countries, expanding the brand globally.Delivered a jaw-dropping 600% ROI on domestic advertising campaigns.Pioneered a digital marketing strategy that catapulted monthly website traffic from 1K to 1M hits.Redesigned the merchandise line, resulting in a staggering increase in sales and introducing over 100 SKUs. Accolades & AwardsInnovators of the Year, Nightclub and Bar Magazine, 2005Capital City Food Drive (Austin, TX)- Raised enough funds to feed 8,800 peopleExtensive recognition at international trade shows (Licensing, Apparel, Franchise, Stationery) Thought LeadershipFeatured in Forbes, Inc, Maxim, The New York Times, and New York Post.Speaker at various industry events, podcasts, and webinars focusing on global hospitality trends.🤝 Strategic PartnershipsForged long-term collaborations with giants like Coca-Cola, Red Bull, NASCAR, and Harley Davidson. Media Appearances\"Elimidate\"(Warner Brothers, 2001)\"Real World Las Vegas\"(MTV Networks, 2002)\"Inside the Real Coyote Ugly\"(MTV Networks, 2004) – captured a record 50M+ viewers.

Education

• Missouri State University

  Master of Business Administration - MBA, Marketing, Business Management

  1997 — 1998

• Pittsburg State University

  BS business managment, AA marketing

  1994 — 1997

Skills

• Sales Management
• Advertising
• Creative Writing
• Event Planning
• Social Networking
• Microsoft Word
• Social Media Marketing
• Powerpoint
• Html
• New Business Development
• Microsoft Office
• Google Analytics
• Blogging
• Photoshop
• Cs5
• Graphic Design
• Account Management
• Trade Shows
• Adobe Creative Suite
• Public Relations
• Management
• Team Building
• Marketing
• Strategic Planning
• Digital Photography
• Restaurants
• Beer
• Photography
• Brand Development
• Marketing Strategy
• Artistic Vision
• Event Management
• Post Production
• Email Marketing
• SEO
• Online Marketing
• Competitive Analysis
• Creative Direction
• Customer Service
• Wordpress