Client Stories


It always starts with a story. Whether working with publications, brands or individual thought leaders, I take a literary approach to uncovering narratives and developing stories.

Here are a handful of stories I’ve helped tell over the last decade.


CLIENT: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

The STory: Rock and Roll is more than a style. it is a diverse countercultural perspective that transcends genre.

OUTPUT: a 5,000+ word essay on the history of Rock & Roll, expanding the Hall’s definition of Rock & Roll as more than a genre. The essay is to be included in the 2024 museum guidebook.


CLIENT: Fretboard Journal

The STory: Legendary blues guitarist Hubert sumlin was more than a sideman, he we an integral part of every major advancement of blues music over the last 100 years.

OUTPUT: Published in FJ46, the 5,000+ word essay tells the oral history of hubert sumlin’s impact on american music, including interviews with marc maron, robben ford, luther dickinson, eric gales, marc ford, and more.


Brandingmag is an independent journal narrating the global discussion on branding and culture.

CLIENT: Brandingmag

THE STORY: You can’t have a meaningful conversation about culture without discussing branding. clear thought leadership is one of the best ways for brands to grow lasting cultural relevance.

OUTPUT: Commissioned and edited over 300 articles, working with industry leaders from around the globe to better articulate their message and mission, improve their writing, and transform their methodologies into compelling thought leadership.


CLIENT: Toyota TRD

THE STORY: Toyota racing development is more than a product, it is a brand deeply rooted in racing culture around the world.

OUTPUT: An editorial content series including in depth interviews and coverage of extraordinary racing events around the globe like the Rallye Aicha des Gazelles in morocco, the FJ summit in ouray, co, the toyota grand prix in long beach ca, and more. Interviews included celebrity drivers like Frankie muniz, Sean Patrick Flanery, and Alfonso Ribeiro as well as legendary adventure drivers Nicole Pitell-Vaughan and Jessi Combs.


Honest Adventure: Storyboard Part 1

Honest Adventure: Storyboard Part 2

CLIENT: Honest Tea

THE STORY: After visiting india, Honest tea founder seth goldman started the iconic tea brand with the mission of creating a healthier product that is grown and produced in a better way.

OUTPUT: seth goldman’s founder’s story was transformed into the “Honest Adventure” Spot–a national tvc that hit a record high “One score” in testing at the coca-cola company. The founder’s story was further developed into a mission-centered narrative for ooh, print, and digital assets.


CLIENT: Elemental Superfood Bars

THE STORY: founder Nicole Anderson started Elemental in her kitchen with the purpose of providing healthy snacks for her daughter.

OUTPUT: The inspiring story of how raw and natural ingredients improved the quality of life for her daughter became the hallmark of elemental superfood Bar’s new packaging. The rebrand and new narrative helped successfully pitch elemental to whole foods, earning it coveted shelf space in store.


Restaurant 1683 Advertorial for Architecture Digest

Restaurant 1683 Advertorial for Architecture Digest

CLIENT: Gaggenau Restaurant 1683

THE STORY: from the depths of the black forest to the pinnacle of culinary luxury, a story of innovation and precision 333 years in the making.

OUTPUT: the 333 year heritage story inspired a multi-sensory campaign, including a pop-up restaurant in nyc featuring michelin star chef daniel humm, video content, an immersive digital hub, advertorials, print collateral, audio playlists, and additional digital media.

Print placements include: GQ, Architectural Digest, Dujour + more.


CLIENT: Chad Farmer (TLA)

The STory: Aesthetics don’t just decorate our world, they shape it.

The output: A series of thought leadership articles articulating the approach used on legendary campaigns for Airwalk, Campari, Grand Marier, and DASANI. Previously the subject of chapter six in Malcolm Gladwell’s best-selling book, The Tipping Point, this marked the first time Chad Farmer offered his own thought leadership publicly. Articles included Where your brand goes, your business follows, understanding the aesthetics of success, luxury isn’t what you think it is and more.


CLIENT: Tahiti Tourisme

The Story: Mana is the vital force that inhabits and connects all living things, past and present, in Tahitian culture.

The Output: The story of mana was first brought to life through a series of digital videos, match-cut to show that the expression of all tahitian arts are connected by the spirit of mana. The story was then transFormed into digial content for social media.


CLIENT: Mammoth Lakes

The Story: mammoth lakes is not just awe-inspiring, it is otherworldly.

The Output: the legends of adventure narrative turned into a full campaign, including digital video, social media content, and online ads for the iconic travel destination.


“You Don’t Know Jack” headline at Petco Park, San Diego, CA

CLIENT: Jack In The Box

The Story: You think you know Crave Worthy Flavor, but you don’t know jack.

The Output: Starting with Target segmentation, focus groups, ELT meeting, and competitive, a new Narrative was developed to connect with the “limitless craver” cohort and address the cultural positioning of the QSr. The “You Don’t Know Jack” narrative ignited a new creative effort designed to change existing perceptions across platforms and activations.


CLIENT: Paven

The Story: Financial well-being is a journey that can begin today.

The Output: A series of videos, website copy, in-app content, and activations were produced leveraging financial insights with real consumer stories to empower users to take control of their financial well-being, and start their journey wherever they are at.


CLIENT: Sunday

The Story: With the right information and products every lawn can be better for people, pets and planet.

The Output: Working directly with leading turf scientists, the “Better for people, pets and planet” narrative came to life through a series of ghostwritten blogs designed to empower lawn owners with actionable scientific information.


Past Clients Include:

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame | Songtradr | Big Sync Music | 7digital | Fretboard Journal | BranDingmag | Toyota TRD | FOX Broadcasting | Cirque du Soleil | Mammoth Lakes | Tahiti Tourisme | Legoland California Resort | Visit California | honest Tea | Gold Peak Tea | Fuze Tea | Gaggenau | Elemental Superfood Bars | DASANI | mcCafe | ThoughtFully | The Void | ASICS | CES | CES Asia | YesTo | PHYSICIANS FORMULA | Jack In the Box | Chosen Foods | Sunday | Paven | Diamond Mattress | Nestle | The Gemological Institute of America + more.


Past Agency Partners Include:

Gestalt Brand Labs | Grizzly | Round Feather | Maiden Creative | Hero & Outlaw | The Lambesis Agency | Passport Brand Design | AKINSPARKER | MeringCarson | Concept73 + more.


Client Testimonials


Noah is one of the best writers and editors I know. I didn’t expect I would find someone I felt 100% comfortable delegating so much of Brandingmag’s content work with high-touch contributors, but there I was giving Noah the reigns.

And boy, did he soar. He built fantastic relationships with everyone, striking the right balance between the passion he has for his craft, the honesty needed to protect the brand, and the grace required to give people feedback they not only accept, but thank you for. That was Noah: always being thanked for improving the mindsets, approaches, and executions of others (senior leaders included). So, whether he writes for you, edits for you, consults for you, or builds your entire narrative strategy, I wouldn’t hesitate for a second to bring him into the team. I’d pick Noah to be on my side anytime.
— Flavia Barbat, Editor-In-Chief at Brandingmag

If you’re in the market for a true master of his craft (indeed, he ticks all those boxes) who also happens to be one of the most decent souls you’ll ever meet, look no further. With Noah Lekas, I found myself falling head over heels for writing again. His journalistic eloquence, his profound understanding of language and timbre, and his ‘right there, where it counts’ with words coaxed my dormant writing soul back to life. And last but certainly not least, Noah’s human. Really, really human. His genuine spirit, compassionate heart, and infectious honesty resonated with me on a level that’s hard to put into words.
— Nathalie Brähler, CIO at Brandingmag

I’ve worked with Noah on strategic cultural narratives.  Noah has a real talent in nailing the essence of the story, and helping me to see what most needs to be magnified, to bring those stories to life. He is my go-to person when I need to check a narrative, to see if it fits the current zeitgeist, to analyze and strategize the implications of my understanding.  Noah is a dream thought partner.  He is always ready to give his well reasoned opinion, and yet, game when I challenge it.  He’s invested in the best idea, and refreshingly, less in his own ego.  He is respectful, timely and honest about what he doesn’t know.  He pushes me to be better, and I am so thankful for it.
— Grace Hanford, Design Strategist at Round Feather

As an accomplished musician and author, Noah’s creativity is seemingly boundless.  He possesses a unique perspective and the ability to infuse new, original ideas while retaining sensibilities on par with classic poets.  He intuitively understands client needs and executes with precision. The oft-used term “Renaissance Man” may seem platitudinal, but I can think of no better way to describe Noah.
— Krista Liney, Principal at Maiden Creative

Noah is one of the most strategic writers I have ever had the pleasure of collaborating with. A born student of the human condition with an artful command of the written word, Noah is an unassuming thought-leader who elevates both the strategic and creative product by investing deeply in the work and those around him.
— Lisa Hardenbrook, Principal Strategist at Hero & Outlaw

Noah is an incredible collaborator and creative thinker that dives into any project with enthusiasm, positivity, low ego, and high ambition. In my work with him, I’ve seen his ability to shape projects for the better by asking the important strategic questions, delivering creative speedily, and always asking and being open to integrating feedback. His expertise in video storytelling has been a huge asset to our company and team.
— Alexandria Rengifo, Entrepreneurial Lead at Round Feather

When the assignment calls for language that goes beyond copy - that raises sails, tightens bootlaces, squirms into the hole of your ear, marches an army to the cliff, screams silently through glass, cuts down, cuts up, kisses frenchly, vibrates lowly, pushes wrinkles into smiles, drops cords into bathtubs, educates, extrapolates, innervates, masticates - then I would call Noah Lekas. He listens. He thinks. He joins with others. He shares advice and caital-C concepts. He throws ideas so high in the air - with such velocity - and at such irregular angles - that crowds rush across fields to admire them breaking ground.
— Jeff Parker Principal at AkinsParker

We contracted Noah as a creative writer at our agency on many occasions to help with multiple projects across multiple categories and he always delivered. Noah has a unique ability to see a brief from different perspectives and execute against any one of those perspectives. He worked seamlessly with our strategy, creative and client service teams to achieve the best result for our clients.
— Julia McCartney, Managing Director at Passport Brand Design.