Steven Watkins

About Steven Watkins

I am a growth-minded creative strategist who helps high-quality, multi-location service businesses scale through strong creative, Google and Meta ads, and AI-era search including SEO and AEO. My work blends storytelling, experimentation, and data into repeatable systems that drive real acquisition results.Recently, I led Google and Meta ads for Game Show Studio, a fast-growing, 5-star entertainment franchise. I managed campaigns across four locations along with corporate support, scaled new markets, and delivered up to 27x ROAS in top-performing regions through disciplined creative testing, local SEO alignment, and conversion-focused landing pages.On the organic and AI search side, I build content systems that improve both SEO performance and LLM visibility. My work drove a 439 percent increase in ChatGPT discovery within 60 days through structured FAQs, optimized location content, and LLM-friendly information architecture. I also built Looker Studio dashboards that measure LLM, SEO, and paid performance together, giving leadership a clear view of how modern users discover and evaluate brands across search, social, and AI platforms.I enjoy environments that value creative experimentation, performance insights, and fast learning cycles. I bring together creative direction, paid media strategy, analytics, and AI-native search to build scalable acquisition systems for modern teams.

Experience

1. Head of Paid Media Growth Marketing

   Leads Up Ai

   Nov 2024 — Present · Irvine, CA, US

   Driving growth for multi-location and high-quality service businesses through integrated Google & Meta ad campaigns, landing page optimization, and AI-informed strategies. Led Google & Meta campaigns for Game Show Studio (4 locations + corporate campaigns), achieving up to 27x ROAS and supporting expansion into new markets. Created SEO-optimized content that increased organic Google clicks 203% and grew ChatGPTdiscovery by 438% within 60 days, influencing new creative and paid messaging. Designed a unified Looker Studio dashboard tracking paid traffic, organic search, and LLM referrals(ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, etc.), giving leadership real-time visibility into modern demand channels. Managed campaigns for True Neighbor, helping scale market reach and deal flow for a 5-star real estate investing brand. Built and launched paid ads for Leads Up AI own client acquisition, contributing to multiple new client signings. Developed Sabre Plumbing & HVAC\'s paid media campaigns and an optimized landing page, setting the foundation for future AI-powered workflows. Redesigned and optimized Red Nose Lites website (UX, color palette, content, Elementor design), resulting in #1 ranking in Nashville for “Christmas lighting installation. Ran Red Nose Lites Google Ads campaigns for Residential & Commercial services, generating $1M revenue in a single month, with a 3.69x ROAS and one month reaching 11.95x ROAS, leveraging ~50% database reactivation through their CRM. Built a TikTok and Instagram based acquisition funnel paired with a mobile-optimized Carrd landingpage and Typeform to showcase case studies and support new client generation efforts.

Education

• UC Irvine

  Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Business Economics

  2012 — 2016