Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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Chris Lawson

Charlottesville,VA

Summary

Accomplished client partner with a decade of experience driving account growth and surpassing performance goals in marketing. Strong background in integrated media marketing allows for expanding client engagements as a trusted advisor, demonstrating the full marketing ecosystem and the impact of MarTech, creative, CRM, and CX on overall performance success. Skilled in leading global partnerships, managing multi-level internal teams, and consistently achieving client goals to cultivate lasting relationships, boost client satisfaction, and drive sustained account growth.

Overview

10
10
years of professional experience

Work History

Senior Account Director, Client Leadership Group

IProspect
01.2025 - Current
  • Lead global account and relationship management for a top-tier financial services client, directing a 60-member cross-regional team to align local strategies with global performance goals.
  • Oversee the development and delivery of a $70 million annual media budget spanning the Americas, EMEA, and APAC, executing full-funnel campaigns across Paid Search, App, Display, Video, CTV, Paid Social, Affiliate, SEO, and Media Analytics.
  • Consistently outperformed client performance media targets by 20% over the past six quarters as Media Agency of Record.
  • Delivered 28% year-over-year account revenue growth in 2024, with a projected 32% increase in 2025 via expanded services (global SEO retainer, identity and audience solutions), new market activation, and incremental media investment.
  • Primary liaison to client's Global Chief Media Officer, shaping global media strategy to achieve overarching business goals.
  • Cultivated relationships with creative, technology, and analytics leaders to identify and drive incremental growth opportunities.

Account Director, Client Leadership Group

Merkle
02.2022 - 01.2025
  • Directed day-to-day account operations and client relationships, managing a range of engagements from new business launches to mature industry leaders across financial services and retail verticals.
  • Oversaw creative, MarTech, strategy, and analytics engagements, specializing in integrated media activation.
  • Cultivated and maintained strong stakeholder partnerships, translating feedback into actionable improvements and identifying growth opportunities to enhance overall account value.
  • Led quarterly business reviews with executive leadership to highlight performance achievements and present strategic recommendations for continued optimization.

Senior Manager, SEM

Merkle
01.2016 - 02.2022
  • Defined and executed paid search strategies across Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, and programmatic platforms, managing annual budgets exceeding $25 million.
  • Oversaw end-to-end campaign execution—including keyword research, ad copy development, landing page optimization, and negative-keyword strategies.
  • Developed and implemented various bidding and messaging optimizations, lifting loan application conversions by 7% within a competitive lending program.
  • Led and mentored a team of five paid search specialists, fostering professional growth through structured coaching.
  • Served as an agency advisor on the Google Shopping Leadership Team, delivering client-driven insights and performance feedback that shaped roadmap priorities and Shopping Ads.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Business, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, And Technology Management

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Blacksburg, Virginia
01.2013

Skills

  • Client Relationship Building & Stakeholder Management
  • Leadership & Cross-Functional Team Management
  • Global Client Account Leadership
  • Data-Driven Integrated Media Strategy
  • Employee Development & Team Mentorship
  • Executive Communication & Presentation
  • Business Development & New Revenue Generation
  • Solution Oriented Problem Solving
  • Data Analysis & Insights
  • Budgeting & Financial Management

Timeline

Senior Account Director, Client Leadership Group

IProspect
01.2025 - Current

Account Director, Client Leadership Group

Merkle
02.2022 - 01.2025

Senior Manager, SEM

Merkle
01.2016 - 02.2022

Bachelor of Science - Business, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, And Technology Management

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

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