Get famous.
Stay relevant.

I'm Carl Mesner Lyons. I help businesses work out what they stand for, why it matters — and how to say it in a way that cuts through. I've done it for some big names. I can do it for you.

How can I help? →

Something's
not working.

You're putting in the effort. The product is good. But the message isn't landing — and you can feel it.

Here's what I hear most often.

  • "We're doing a lot, but nothing's cutting through."
  • "Our story isn't clear — even internally."
  • "We've outgrown our original positioning."
  • "There are too many ideas and not enough clarity."
  • "Marketing feels disconnected from the rest of the business."

I find your
story. Fast.

Most marketing problems are positioning problems. Fix that first — and everything else gets easier.

I get inside the business quickly, work out what's really going on, and give you the clarity and direction to move forward with confidence.

  • 01 What you actually are. The honest, compelling version — the one that makes the right people lean in.
  • 02 Why it matters. Sharp, specific positioning. Felt, not just stated.
  • 03 How to say it. A narrative that works across channels, teams, and time.

I work at the strategic level. Thinking and direction — not execution.

Simple process.
Real outcomes.

01

Your situation

I get under the skin of your business fast. Where are you now? What's not working? What does the market look like? One sharp session — sometimes two — and I know what we're dealing with.

You get a clear diagnosis — not a deck full of questions.

02

The story sprint

A focused 4–6 week engagement to build your brand narrative, sharpen your positioning, and create the strategic platform everything else grows from. Fast, collaborative, no fluff.

You get a brand story you believe in — and can actually use.

03

Ongoing advisory

Some clients want a senior marketing brain on call — for the big decisions, the tricky moments, and staying sharp as the business evolves. I work with a small number of clients this way.

You always have someone who knows your business in your corner.

Brand strategy
that moves the needle.

A powerful brand story isn't a nice-to-have. It's the platform your growth is built on. Get it right and everything accelerates — your sales, your fundraising, your hiring, your market position.

I've built that story for businesses at every stage — from fast-growing startups to global brands. The work I do tends to last.

20+
years in senior marketing roles
100+
brands advised and built

"You nailed this, Carl!"

Olly Thornton-Berry
CEO, Thirdfort
Modern fintech & legaltech

Thirdfort
Tide
Travelex
Utility Warehouse
Unruly
Trainline
Uber
News UK
Hussle
The Guardian
lastminute.com
Guinness
Capital FM
Carwow
Direct Ferries
OpenTable
Hailo

★ Client logos coming soon — updating to reflect recent AI and fintech work

"Carl plays a key role supporting the Unruly marketing team. It's great to be able to call on his experience and abilities — we love having him as part of the business."

Sarah Wood CEO, Unruly

"Carl is a big thinker and understands how to drive emotion through brand. We've worked with him for almost two years and he's become our go-to for everything brand related."

Jamie Ward CEO & Co-founder, Hussle

Senior.
Fast. Opinionated.

I've been the lead marketer in four high-growth startups. I've run brand for global names. I've sat on boards. I've written the briefs, hired the agencies, and been accountable for the results.

That means I get up to speed fast, I know what good looks like, and I'm not afraid to tell you what I think. Most clients say the first session alone is worth it.

  • No juniors, no account handlers. You work directly with me, every time.
  • I've built from scratch and scaled. Startups, scale-ups, and global brands — I know what works at each stage.
  • Commercial to the core. Marketing that can't be tied to growth isn't worth doing. I don't lose sight of that.
  • Flexible. A one-off project or a long-term relationship — I work the way that suits you.

Pick a time.
Let's get into it.

No pitch. No proposal before we've spoken. Just a straight conversation about where you are, what's not working, and whether I can help.

Book a 15 or 30 minute slot below — or drop me an email if you'd rather start that way.

Email me directly →
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