Marc Cross Brands™ — London & Global
Building brands people care about, in hospitality, F&B and lifestyle.
Brand Strategy. Visual Identity.
Brand Experience.
I am an independent branding consultant in London, helping ambitious founders in hospitality, F&B and lifestyle build standout brands through strategy, identity and experience.
I partner with ambitious, lifestyle led businesses to turn great ideas into standout brands, building loyalty, sparking growth and creating lasting impact in hospitality, F&B and lifestyle markets across London, the UK and beyond.
Agency Expertise. Personal Partnerships.
I spent more than 15 years as Creative Director of a London branding agency, leading projects across the UK, the Middle East and beyond. That experience taught me how to build brands that last, and it showed me how slow and costly big agencies can be.
Now I bring that experience directly to founders. As both a senior brand strategist and a multidisciplinary designer, I shape brands from every angle, defining the big idea, crafting the story and bringing it to life with clarity and creativity.
Working alongside me is a small team of senior specialists across design, development, content and production. Together we deliver high level expertise with the speed, focus and personal involvement that only comes from working closely, one to one with every client.
Recent Branding Projects:
Myra — Brand Identity for a Luxury Patisserie in Saudi Arabia
Brand strategy, naming and visual identity for Myra, a French inspired luxury patisserie in Jeddah and Riyadh, shaped to blend European craft with the tastes and expectations of a discerning Saudi audience.
Brand Strategy & Positioning / Brand Naming / Visual Identity
Hazal — Brand Identity for a High End Levantine Restaurant in Saudi Arabia
A premium Saudi restaurant and shisha lounge reimagining Levantine cuisine through a refined, contemporary lens. The brand blends rich Middle Eastern heritage with elevated dining and an immersive guest experience.
Visual Identity / Tone of Voice & Messaging / Brand Experience
KOA — Brand Creation and Visual Identity for a Modern Fine Dining Restaurant in Jeddah
A crafted visual identity for KOA, a modern fine dining restaurant in Jeddah, inspired by its refined interiors, global influences and elevated, organic culinary experience.
Brand Strategy & Positioning / Visual Identity / Brand Messaging & Voice / Brand Experience
Burro Blanco — Brand Positioning and Visual Identity Refresh for a QSR Franchise in the UAE
A bold brand repositioning and visual identity refresh for this fast growing QSR brand in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, crafted to scale with story, style and franchise ready clarity for rapid regional growth.
Brand Strategy & Positioning / Visual Identity / Brand Messaging & Voice / Global Franchise Expansion
HOSPITALITY, F&B, RETAIL, BEAUTY, WELLNESS, FASHION, TECH.
HOSPITALITY, F&B, RETAIL, BEAUTY, WELLNESS, FASHION, TECH.
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What I Offer. Holistic Branding Services for Hospitality, F&B and Lifestyle.
Brand Strategy & Positioning
I uncover the essence of your brand. What it stands for, how it is positioned and why it matters. From mission and values to audience and competition, I define a clear strategic foundation for your brand to grow from. Every strategy includes practical rollout planning, turning insight into action through launch ideas and long term brand initiatives.
Brand Naming
Naming is one of the most defining decisions a brand can make. I work closely with founders and marketing leads to create names that are relevant, memorable and rooted in strategy, whether for a new brand, a product or a sub brand.
Visual Identity Design
Whether the strategy is already defined or you are starting fresh, I create distinctive visual identities that reflect who you are and where you are going. From custom logo design and visual language to full identity systems, every detail is grounded in insight and designed to help your brand connect and grow.
Brand Consultancy
Long term, expert support to help your brand evolve with clarity and confidence. I work as an embedded partner, offering one to one strategic insight, creative guidance and direction as your business grows, expands or enters new markets.
Website Design & Build
I design and build clean, high performing websites that elevate your brand online. From UX to full development, every site is responsive, easy to manage and crafted to drive bookings, sales and engagement across every device.
Social Media Management
I manage strategic, high quality social content across Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. Through monthly planning, photography, post creation and scheduling, I keep your brand consistent, polished and visible to the audiences who matter.
My Approach
How I take you from big idea to brand impact.
1. Discover
I immerse myself in your world, exploring your vision, audience, culture, competitors and ambition. Together we uncover the truths, tensions and opportunities that will shape your brand and set the direction forward.
2. Define
I turn discovery into strategy, clarifying positioning, narrative, values and tone of voice. This is where your big idea takes form, creating a clear framework that gives your brand focus, purpose and room to grow.
3. Design
I bring the strategy to life, shaping the identity, storytelling and brand experience that connect with audiences in meaningful ways. This is where creative expression takes shape, establishing the tone, personality and foundations for everything to follow.
4. Deliver
I equip you with the tools to activate your brand, from guidelines and toolkits to creative direction and rollout support. This ensures consistency, confidence and impact across every touchpoint as your brand enters the world.
Choose a time and book instantly.
Client Testimonials
I’ve worked with Marc and his team on multiple branding projects in both Dubai and London, often supporting clients as they prepare for expansion or move into franchising. What really sets him apart is his ability to turn complex business goals into clear, confident brand positioning. He combines strategic insight with creative thinking, shaping brand narratives that feel both commercially sound and visually engaging. Every project has gone above and beyond, and I always look forward to the next collaboration.
Charlie Mander - Co-Founder / Presman & Colard
Marc has been a key branding partner for me over the past six years, helping to develop hospitality brands like KOA, Myra, and most recently HAZAL. His approach is thoughtful and strategic, ensuring each brand is grounded in strong positioning and brought to life with clarity and creativity. From naming to identity design, he knows how to make a brand resonate in the Saudi market. His work has been instrumental in creating concepts that feel both authentic and commercially strong.
Amro Bagedo - Founder & CEO / KRAIV & KAB Holding
Working with Marc’s team on the rebrand for Global Academy International - a group of successful schools with a rich history, founded by my father - was a brilliant experience. They brought clarity to our thinking, helping reposition the brand with confidence while respecting its legacy. From our founding schools in Qatar to our expansion into Saudi Arabia via franchising, Marc’s insight, strategic focus, and collaborative approach made a lasting impact on the outcome.
Omar Al Sheikh - Vice Chairman / OWMNYA Holding
Branding Blog & Insights
Is Your Restaurant Brand Ready to Franchise?
Before expanding into new markets, your brand identity needs to be clear, consistent and franchise ready. In this article I share lessons from real F&B projects across the GCC, including Burro Blanco and Bread Ahead, and explain how strategy, storytelling and visual identity can set your brand up for successful growth.
Launching a Restaurant in Dubai? Start With a Brand That Stands Out.
Dubai's F&B scene is dynamic, competitive and full of opportunity. To succeed, your concept needs more than great food. This article breaks down the essential steps to building a standout restaurant brand, from defining your positioning and name to creating a compelling identity and tone of voice that connects with the right audience.
Brand Storytelling. The Secret to Customer Loyalty.
In a world of endless choice, customers connect with stories, not just products. This article explores how thoughtful brand storytelling builds emotional loyalty, using real world examples like Jebena Co to show how a clear narrative can elevate your brand and inspire long term customer engagement.
