CLAYMAKER MEDIA
Own the story.
Influence the outcome.
Elevate your brand.
Lee Clayton: Nearly 40 years at the highest level of media — creating standout sports brands, breaking major stories and building award-winning teams.
High-Performing Teams
Impactful Storytelling
Breaking News
News Management
Getting Ahead Of The Story
Brand Strategy
40 Years Of Experience
High-Performing Teams
Impactful Storytelling
Breaking News
News Management
Getting Ahead Of The Story
Brand Strategy
40 Years Of Experience
ABOUT
At the sharp end of Media
Founder Lee Clayton is a former Chief Football Writer and national sports reporter who became Global Publisher of Sport at DMG Media (Mail/MailOnline) and later served as Head of talkSPORT.
Among a range of other clients, Claymaker Media currently supports The Athletic with Lee serving as Consultant Editor-at-Large.
Lee’s career has been defined by operating at the sharp end of Media — where nerve, performance, pace and results matter.
He’s led award-winning teams across newspapers, digital platforms, podcasts, video, social media and radio. Storytelling has always been at the front of each role.
From traditional publishing to modern digital ecosystems, Lee has shaped some of the UK’s most recognised sports brands — combining elite editorial performance with commercial evolution.
Today, Claymaker Media works directly with organisations, businesses, brands and talent who want to move faster, react under pressure and get ahead of the story.
Lee Clayton
Founder, Claymaker Media
SERVICES
Claymaker Media helps brands win in sport and media.
High-Performance Teams
Building, recruiting and restructuring high-performing teams
Strategy & Audience
Defining content and audience strategy
Brand Positioning
Launching and repositioning brands to lead the way
Storytelling
Delivering impactful storytelling that will change the narrative
TESTIMONIALS
Trusted by leaders in Sport and Media
“Lee is an exceptional journalist and leader. I have trusted and admired what he has achieved over many years. Beyond our numerous successful collaborations, I am proud to call him a friend. He brings a rare combination of skill, integrity, and adaptability that makes him a genuine asset to any organisation lucky enough to work with him.”
— Richard Thompson,
ECB Chair, M&C Saatchi Merlin Chair
"I’ve known Lee since we were teenagers and I first met him at Bournemouth, before I moved to Liverpool. Since then, we’ve been around the block a few times in our professional and personal lives. The key word is trust. It’s a pleasure to call him my friend."
— Jamie Redknapp
Former Liverpool captain and England international
"I’ve enjoyed working with elite people all of my football career - I like to think I know one when I see one. Lee became a hugely trusted friend and confidant as well as a colleague. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him. He makes a difference."
— Martin Keown
England international and Arsenal Invincible
"Lee is one of those rare people who can hold a room without needing to take it over. He leads with calm authority, zero ego, and a steadiness that makes people trust him quickly. As a media pioneer, he understands the craft and the culture, but what sets him apart is how he shows up: as an ally, a supporter, and a doer. There’s a vulnerability to Lee that’s genuinely disarming, and it’s part of why people lean in. Then there’s the results. He moves things forward. He makes decisions. He delivers. If you want someone who can lead powerfully and humanly, Lee is it."
— Shelley Bishton
D & I leader and founder of Think Twice House
WHAT WE DO
What can Claymaker Media do for you?
We step into teams, support performance, shape people, and deliver results.
Proven by the number of leaders in the sports media landscape.
01
- We shift culture and raise standards
- We sharpen ambition, direction, and storytelling
02
- We move fast and act with intent
- We bring control under pressure
03
- We lead on stories and deliver work that stands up
- We are in contact with global media leaders
For brands that expect more.
We get in. We make it better. We move you forward.
APPROACH
Claymaker Media accelerates performance and improves your team
Claymaker Media supports and builds high-performing teams and helps deliver lasting impact.
Founder Lee Clayton said: “I’m proud that many talented people I’ve worked with and mentored now hold senior roles across The Times, The Athletic, The Daily Mail, BBC, Sky Sports and talkSPORT, reflecting a consistent focus on culture, standards, long-term development and performance.
“I was a newspaper delivery boy who loved the feel of print on my fingers and worked with people who believed in me. I earned my first national newspaper byline at 17 and my nan collected every cutting in a scrapbook I have at home — a mindset that still defines my outlook: work relentlessly to find a way.”
Direct
Clear, creative thinking. Decisive action. Focus on what actually moves the needle.
Collaborative
Working closely with leadership and teams to align vision, culture and execution.
Results-Focused
Operating where performance matters — delivering results under pressure.
Direct
Clear, creative thinking. Decisive action. Focus on what actually moves the needle.
Collaborative
Working closely with leadership and teams to align vision, culture and execution.
Results-Focused
Operating where performance matters — delivering results under pressure.
Get In Touch
Put Your Brand
In Control
Of The Story.
Sport is shaped by storytelling, critical moments, culture and leadership. Claymaker Media works with organisations and leaders to take control of their narrative, align their teams and turn pressure into performance.
Clarity
Alignment
Momentum
Nearly 40 years at the highest level of media — ready to work for you.
Let's Talk