About

For 27yrs, we’ve been empowering organisations to progress, grow, serve and lead through brand – inside and out.

Mezzanine founder Luke Burrell at the Newcastle brand agency studio
Brand strategist leading a discovery session with a client at Mezzanine's Newcastle studio
Nikki Wright presenting Mezzanine Workshop
Conscious Capitalism Australia Hunter region launch event
Shane - Baptist World Aid NFP Brand Project
Mezzanine team working on-site with nfp Salvation Army on a brand project
Visual from a Mezzanine Impact Program brand project for a social enterprise
INNX Newcastle brand event

Our story

In 1999, we planted the seeds for a future we could see so clearly — a future where the purpose of business shifted from striving to be the best in the world to becoming the best for the world.

With this vision guiding us, we turned our knowledge, craft, and skills toward a single goal: to partner with those who shared this belief and help them build enduring conscious brands that inspire, lift up, and leave a positive imprint on people, their organisations, and the world.

It all began in the central west, our hometown, when brothers Shane Burrell and Luke Burrell laid the foundation for something extraordinary. Not long after, their vision led them to Newcastle, where Mezzanine found its roots.

Restless in the best way, they were driven by the belief that there had to be a better way… a more authentic way to do business, a more honest way to communicate and a more enduring way to build brands.

We have dedicated the decades since to working closely with our clients and team, rethinking how businesses can truly connect and thrive. Through exploration, research and lived experience, we’ve honed a human-centric, values-led and purpose-driven approach that puts people at the heart of every decision.

This is Mezzanine — where belief fuels action, purpose drives strategy, and enduring impact is the measure of success — the essence of a conscious brand.

Our people

Over time, that initial spark grew into a thriving collective — a team of questioners, thinkers, empaths and innovators – driven by their values and belief in making a positive contribution in the world. They are strategists, brand builders, marketers, designers, developers, storytellers, and producers. Each one bringing a unique perspective, united by a shared purpose: to empower organisations to discover their purpose, build enduring conscious brands, and contribute something truly remarkable to the world.

Today Mezzanine is led by Director Luke Burrell, with Shane Burrell still woven into the vision that has guided us from the beginning. Together with our team, they continue to champion the belief that branding is more than identity — it is about shaping a narrative, embodying purpose and forging connections that resonate. Through thoughtful strategy, creative storytelling and purposeful design, we create conscious brands that connect deeply, act boldly and inspire others to follow.

Mezzanine Luke Final 1340x1340 1
Luke Burrell
Founder and Director
Mezzanine Shane Final 1340x1340 1
Shane Burrell
Co-founder, Film and Story
Jessica Johnson, brand and communications strategist at Mezzanine
Jessica Johnson
Brand and Communications Strategist
Liz Knapp, studio and production manager at Mezzanine
Liz Knapp
Studio and Production Manager
Zara Choy, brand strategy and brand builder at Mezzanine
Zara Choy
Brand Builder
Faith Lerio, digital and community builder at Mezzanine
Faith Lerio
Digital Support
Naomi Nash, brand leadership and brand culture specialist at Mezzanine
Naomi Nash
Leadership and Culture
Darren Clark, leadership, culture and business brand strategy at Mezzanine
Darren Clark
Leadership, Culture and Business Strategy
Hosanna Haddon, administration and accounts at Mezzanine
Hosanna Haddon
Administration and Accounts
Cassie Holland, conscious communications and content producer at Mezzanine
Cassie Holland
Content Producer

Our collaborators

We believe there is no problem too great for the collective and creative genius of people. Over the years, we’ve met some pretty amazing people who are redefining what it means to do business. These people have become a part of our collective – all like-minded pioneers who offer unique value in their respective fields along our journey to embed humanity and purpose into organisations.

David Robertson, brand-led SEO collaborator at Mezzanine
David Robertson
Brand-led SEO
Sam Valich, conscious brand strategist
Sam Valich
Brand Strategist: Monostory
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Louise Di Francesco
Public Relations and Media
Eleanor LinkedIn photo large square
Eleanor Glenn
Common Cause Australia
George headshot
Spark Strategy
Strategic Thinking and Transformation

Working together

We partner with people like you who want to grow their organisation and transform for the better. We love working with people to amplify their brand, purpose and impact. A partnership with us will steer you towards your goals and ensure that you’re having a positive impact.

 

Human-centred

We care about people, a lot. The wellbeing of the people you serve as a organisation is our foremost priority. We tell stories and develop solutions that have a positive impact and truly add value to their lives. We put people before profit.

Positive values and frames

There are many ways to influence behaviour change, attract customers or sell your development. We believe in empowerment over fear tactics. We embody positive values and frames in our solutions and build brand trust for your organisation through authenticity and integrity.

Strategic alignment

A creative idea or piece of communication is only valuable if it serves your brand strategy and purpose. We think beyond the short-term goal to ensure our solutions also support the long-term aspirations and purpose of your organisation.

Storytelling

Humans have been telling stores for thousands of years, it’s how we make sense of the world. We use the power of narrative to authentically and intentionally engage your audience so your brand truly matters to people.

Design thinking

The problem we think we have is not always the problem we actually have. We apply empathy, challenge assumptions, redefine problems and test ideas to ensure we’re seeing, understanding and solving problems in the right way.

Meaningful collaboration

Our most successful ideas and projects are always the outcome of a relational approach, where all involved commit to getting the best outcome. Transparency and collaboration mean we can learn, adapt and respond to new information, findings or feedback to ensure time is spent on the most valuable path.

Our experience

For more than 26yrs we’ve worked across many sectors with a focus less on the industry itself, and more on the aligned values, mindset and goals of the organisations we engage.

Our partnerships with our clients are long-standing, some in excess of 20 years. Over this time we’ve worked with national brands to start-ups. Industry bodies, banks, schools and government departments. Launching new brands and services, guiding leaders through business transformations from the inside-out, helping organisations understand their customers, brand and create new communities, launching meaningful campaigns, and crafting new futures for schools and education.

In the social space, we’ve had long-standing and active relationships with many social-impact organisations. It’s been a privilege to work closely, supporting Australia’s top 3 NFPs – World Vision, Salvation Army and Compassion – as well as other organisations such as CanTeen, Conscious Capitalism ANZ, Employment Plus and Baptist World Aid, delivering everything from brand strategy, marketing and fundraising campaigns, events, film production, digital and design creative.

We’re proud of our work because we can see the meaningful impact it has for organisations, the people within them, the people they serve and the broader community.

Discover the Power of Clarity.

Your brand’s potential lies in its ability to connect, inspire, and lead with purpose. Our Brand Diagnostic uncovers hidden strengths, identifies areas for alignment, and provides actionable insights to elevate your brand’s impact. Whether you’re looking to refine your strategy or reposition your identity, this is your first step toward building a conscious, purpose-driven brand that resonates deeply with your audience.

It starts here!

The best way to get started is to complete these questions to help us better understand your organisations needs. We look forward to meeting and working with you.