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I’m Miro Cernetig. For 20 years as a foreign correspondent, I documented how world leaders shape narratives that move markets—from Gorbachev’s reforms to Silicon Valley’s rise. Now I architect the same narrative power for companies at inflection points.
They say the pen is mightier than the sword. But there’s something even more powerful: brands — they define nations, command markets, and set the course of the future.
I’ve built my career around that idea, first as a journalist telling the world’s stories, and now as a strategist and publisher building them.
That led to The CITYAGE STUDIO SYSTEM™, a proven, repeatable process we use to help select founders and leaders turn ideas into capital, influence, and lasting impact. This framework blends narrative design, crisis communications, investment storytelling,
Three ways I can help you.
1
The Branded Weekly Newsletter
Every Saturday morning, I share practical guidance to help you start and scale your one-person internet business.
2
The CityAge Studio System™
A proven, repeatable process for turning ideas into capital, partnerships, and influence.
3
1-on-1 Strategy Sessions
Accelerate your growth with the networks, strategy, and positioning that move capital and influence.
Track Record
Miro’s campaigns and clients have been featured in 60 Minutes, The Wall Street Journal, TIME, The New York Times, Bloomberg, CBC, and The Globe & Mail.
He helped reimagine Foster’s wine division into Treasury Wine Estates, which went on to become an $8B global company.
As CEO of CityAge, he oversees a platform of 25,000+ leaders worldwide driving innovation in infrastructure, energy, technology, and urban growth.
Case Studies
NAQI – FROM INVENTION TO $100M+ VALUATION
The Challenge: NAQI’s remarkable invention lets people control digital devices and wheelchairs with facial gestures. But it needed attention and finance.
Our Solution: We wrote a narrative that showcased the human impact.
The Process:
- Wrote compelling brand narrative around accessibility and empowerment
- Made videos demonstrating real-world use cases
- Secured coverage in TIME and Inc. Magazine
- Got NAQI onto the Edison Awards stage—where it won first prize
The Result: A brand transformation that helped value the startup at $100 million+.
The Impact: From unknown invention to globally recognized accessibility leader.
NEW WORLD/OLD EARTH – TREASURY WINE ESTATES
The Challenge: Foster’s needed a compelling story for their wine division—the world’s second-largest wine distributor.
Our Solution: We wrote the “New World/Old Earth” brand concept in just days.
The Process:
- Developed positioning that honored wine’s ancient traditions while celebrating innovation
- Wrote narrative framework for global wine portfolio
- Positioned division for market leadership and investor appeal
The Result: Foster’s used our concept to IPO the wine division as Treasury Wine Estates.
The Impact: Now worth $8 billion. The beer division no longer exists.
THE DATA EFFECT – IBM WATSON HEALTH
The Challenge: Establish IBM Watson Health’s first country-specific brand in Canada and demonstrate leadership in health and human services to a national leadership audience.
Our Solution: Organized three editions of The Data Effect in Ottawa, Toronto, and Vancouver, complemented by a newsletter and LinkedIn community.
The Process:
- Convened 500+ government leaders across three national summits
- Built a newsletter with 1,500+ subscriptions
- Launched and grew a LinkedIn group to sustain engagement
The Result: Aligned IBM’s offering with Canada’s emerging national data strategy and won the targeted major contract.
The Impact: Strengthened IBM Watson Health’s position in Canada’s health and human services market.
THE NEW AMERICAN CITY – CITY OF PHILADELPHIA & DREXEL UNIVERSITY
The Challenge: Raise attention for the redevelopment around 30th Street Station and Drexel University as a new innovation district.
Our Solution: Produced The New American City in close collaboration with Mayor Michael Nutter and President John Fry’s senior teams.
The Process:
- Co-created agenda and objectives with city and university leadership
- Curated a high-level audience of civic, academic, and private-sector leaders
- Positioned the district vision for broad regional buy-in
The Result: Development momentum accelerated; Skidmore, Owings & Merrill won the masterplan shortly after the event.
The Impact: Elevated Philadelphia’s innovation district into active design and delivery.
CITYAGE: LONDON – GREATER LONDON AUTHORITY
The Challenge: Highlight the administration’s infrastructure investments and secure national coverage for the multi-billion-pound Crossrail 2 initiative.
Our Solution: Organized CityAge: London (2014) to deliver a high-level UK and international audience.
The Process:
- Programmed a platform for the Mayor to unveil Crossrail 2
- Invited top national and international media outlets
- Showcased transit-oriented development and associated investments
The Result: Mayor Boris Johnson keynoted, proposed “The Winston Churchill Line,” and secured coverage in The Telegraph, The Economist, Reuters, BBC, The Guardian, and more.
The Impact: Put Crossrail 2 on the national agenda with broad, influential media reach.
THE CORRIDOR BRAND – CITY OF TORONTO & REGION OF WATERLOO
The Challenge: Create a unified brand to position Southern Ontario as a major tech centre, replacing fragmented regional messaging.
Our Solution: Launched a complementary conference in Waterloo, reinforced the Toronto edition, and staged a San Francisco forum featuring Mayor John Tory.
The Process:
- Built dual-city convenings to catalyze regional collaboration
- Facilitated alignment between Toronto and Kitchener/Waterloo leaders
- Activated Bay Area audience with a San Francisco edition
The Result: Toronto and Kitchener announced “The Corridor” brand in San Francisco; the visit generated national Canadian media.
The Impact: Shifted the region from competition to collaboration with a unified international tech identity.
Insights & Ideas
The Influence Engine: Why Modern CEOs Need Networks More Than They Need Strategy
When historians look back on the business climate of the 2020s, they may conclude that
THE CITYAGE STUDIO SYSTEM™
Turning Brands Into Campaigns That Move Markets I’m Miro Cernetig. For decades, I reported from
The Strategist’s Hour: Why a New Breed of Advisors Is Rewiring How Leaders Build Influence
Throughout most of the last century, the executive coaching industry occupied a predictable corner of the business world—useful for refining communication, sharpening leadership style or