Stephen Heitz

About Stephen Heitz

Named CIO of the Year, Innovator of the Year, and recognized by Forbes “Best of the Web,” I help brands innovate at the intersection of digital, media, marketing, technology, and AI—turning complexity into clarity and data into growth.My approach to innovation goes beyond hype and shortcuts. I focus on building meaningful, evidence-based systems that scale sustainably. As an architect by nature (Myers-Briggs INTJ), I thrive on digging deeper—specifying, systematizing, and stabilizing innovation so it creates a lasting impact (Koble A 7-8-2-3). I’m an evidence-based marketing enthusiast who loves debunking marketing myths and uncovering the rest of the story hidden beneath the fog of data and untested assumptions.From my start as a solutions architect, app developer, and product designer to serving as CTO for an eBay subsidiary, I’ve led initiatives that defined new market categories—helping eBay grow a used-car vertical that now accounts for 60% of its revenue. I’ve co-founded one of the largest online retailers in its category and guided digital transformation, automation, and analytics strategies for organizations across various sectors, including healthcare, education, franchising, non-profit, government, and technology.My work includes creating the Visibility Impact Index for SEO benchmarking, developing Dynamic AdMatch personalization technology, and designing one of the earliest lead-generation assessment tools for in-home care. I’ve helped brands like Massage Envy pioneer digital gift cards and loyalty systems before “customer data platforms” existed—and helped LifeLock grow from members to 1.4 million.Today, I’m focused on helping organizations see beyond the fog of data—to uncover whether their marketing and media spend creates an actual advertising effect or just a selection effect. My mission is to help brands and organizations create sustainable, measurable, net new growth.As an active community leader, I’ve served on and advised multiple boards that support economic mobility and the arts, earning MVP and innovation awards from organizations including the Arizona Theatre Company, Arizona Small Business Association, and Arizona Innovation Marketing Association.I’m passionate about marketing, technology, innovation, and impact—and always open to conversations about how technology and creativity can fuel the next generation of progress.

Experience

1. Chief Innovation Officer

   LAVIDGE

   Oct 2017 — Present

   Champion innovation across the agency, expanding service offerings and improving marketing and media effectiveness for clients through strategy, media, technology, digital, and AI.

Education

• University of Phoenix

  Bachelors of Science, Information Technology

Skills

• Interactive Marketing
• Online Advertising
• Ppc
• Management
• Search Engine Marketing (Sem)
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
• Project Management
• SEO
• Web Design
• Strategy
• E-Commerce
• Interactive Advertising
• Email Marketing
• Application Development
• Digital Marketing
• Marketing
• Microsoft Sql Server
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Marketing Strategy
• Information Technology
• Online Marketing
• Project Planning
• Web Analytics
• Strategic Planning
• Integrated Marketing
• Information Architecture
• Software Development
• Sem
• Social Media Marketing
• Digital Strategy
• Enterprise Architecture