We recently welcomed Chris Ellis to our Paid Marketing team, heading up the team as PPC Strategist. Lancashire-based Chris brings 13 years of experience in Paid Search and has a wealth of cross-sector knowledge, thanks to time spent both agency and in-house, with roles at Hippo Motor Group, Beaverbrooks, and more.
We sat down over virtual coffee with Chris to learn more about his journey to Climb & Conquer and his tips for those starting in the industry.
Meet the Team – Chris Ellis, PPC Strategist
Give us a whistlestop tour of your career journey to date:
I’ve worked in PPC pretty much my whole career, both in-house and agency-side. Over the years, I’ve sold everything you can imagine through Google Ads – from the sublime to the ridiculous. Whether it’s been high-end products, quirky niche services, or mainstream e-commerce, I’ve probably had a go at marketing it. I’ve built a deep understanding of what works, what doesn’t, and how to adapt as platforms and algorithms constantly evolve. Most recently, I’ve focused on leading PPC strategy and performance teams, helping clients get the most from their ad spend.
Describe briefly a typical day in the life of your role:
Most mornings start with checking in with the team and ensuring everything runs as it should. If anything urgent or not performing quite right, we deal with it immediately. I’ll update clients if anything important has come up and then check in with the management team to see if there’s anything else I can support, such as new business, onboarding, or internal projects.
Once all that’s sorted, I can get stuck into strategy work. That means reviewing client performance, looking at what’s working and what could be improved, and ensuring PPC is aligned with other channels like Klaviyo and SEO. It’s all about getting the best possible results for our clients through a holistic view and application of channels.
What made you want to join Climb & Conquer?
It was the story behind the agency that drew me in. I’d previously worked somewhere with a very similar ethos to what Shane’s built here, and it was honestly one of the best working environments I’ve been part of. When I saw that same culture and ambition at Climb & Conquer, I knew I had to be part of it.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I really enjoy working directly with clients. I get to know their businesses, their goals, and what makes them tick, and then I figure out how PPC can help them achieve their goals. No two businesses are the same, and that variety keeps the job interesting.
And what’s the most challenging part?
Working with Google. They change the playing field a lot, and it can feel like the rules change every other week. Match types get tweaked, campaign types come and go, and it often feels like the platform favours bigger budgets over smaller, more agile advertisers. That can be frustrating, but it’s just part of the job – you’ve got to stay sharp and keep adapting.
What’s your hot take on Digital Marketing for 2025?
Digital marketing never stands still. Things change constantly, especially in PPC, so the best thing you can do is embrace it. Stay curious, keep testing, and don’t get too comfortable with what worked yesterday because the chances are high it might not work as well today.
If you could give one piece of advice to anyone looking to get into your field, what would it be?
Take your time and soak up as much as you can. Ask questions, learn from others, and don’t fear getting things wrong now and then. That’s how you learn.
I follow many PPC people on LinkedIn, and I’m always picking up new ideas, seeing what others are trying, and thinking about how I can apply them to my work. Keep learning and stay open to new ways of doing things.
Stay tuned for more team interviews with our SEO, PPC and Klaviyo experts, and if you’re looking to join Climb & Conquer, keep an eye on our LinkedIn page, where we’ll share up-to-the-minute news on the vacancies we’re looking to fill.
