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As a Chief Marketing Officer, I further define the ideal fractional CMO job description this way: It should be someone who can bring strategic insight and flawless execution to the marketing objectives that matter most to your company.
About Lane Houk
Reviving Opportunities, Revolutionizing Results
At Grizzled CMO, we’re not just another marketing consultancy. We’re pioneers in transforming dormant opportunities into dynamic revenue streams through the power of artificial intelligence and decades of marketing expertise.
Led by Lane Houk, a US Army combat medic veteran, and a distinguished veteran in the digital marketing industry, with over 15+ years of experience, Grizzled CMO specializes in breathing new life into your marketing strategy, team and technology. Our proprietary AI-driven strategies don’t just manage leads – they resurrect them, transforming yesterday’s missed opportunities into tomorrow’s victories.
Our Founder’s Journey
Lane Houk’s path to marketing innovation began long before AI became a buzzword. Recognized as one of Florida’s top business leaders by Gulf Shore Business, Lane has consistently stayed ahead of the digital curve. His journey includes founding and successfully exiting Signal Genesys, an Adaptive Web Presence SaaS™ platform, which was acquired by Search Atlas Group in August 2024.
As a Level 7 Local Guide and SEO strategist, Lane has mastered the art of digital visibility for franchises and multi-location enterprises. His expertise extends beyond traditional marketing, encompassing brand conquesting and strategic positioning that helps businesses dominate their local markets. Lane is a frequent speaker at digital marketing industry events and a trainer/mentor to other marketing agencies, especially in the specialized field of SEO, where Lane is recognized as one of the top industry experts.
Why Choose Grizzled CMO?
As your Fractional CMO, we bring:
- Advanced AI Implementation: We don’t just use AI – we harness its power to resurrect and nurture leads other systems might have written off
- Strategic Marketing Leadership: Executive-level expertise without the full-time executive price tag
- Proven Track Record: Lane has built and operated multiple digital marketing agencies providing a full suite of digital marketing and branding solutions. He has also trained and mentored other company owners and agency owners along with founding a digital PR and SEO software platform and successfully exiting.
- Specifically tailored for businesses generating over $5MM annually, and only for personal injury law firms, roofing companies, and solar enterprises
- Marketing Team Optimization: We assess, advise, and enhance your existing marketing operations and overall marketing strategy/plan and current implementation(s).
- Demand Generation Mastery: Custom strategies that create sustainable growth to take your company to the next level.
Industry Recognition
Lane’s thought leadership extends beyond client work. As a frequent guest speaker and podcast host of The Marketing Center of Excellence, he shares insights on SEO, marketing technology, and agency systems. His contributions to the industry were recognized with the Distinguished Leadership Award from the Community Leadership Association.
Our Approach
We believe in transformation, not just transactions. Through our fractional CMO services, we provide the strategic oversight and AI-powered solutions that modern businesses need to thrive. Whether it’s optimizing lead nurture systems, implementing cutting-edge AI solutions, or developing comprehensive demand generation strategies, we bring enterprise-level marketing expertise to growing businesses.
Ready to revive your marketing potential? Partner with Grizzled CMO and discover how our AI-driven strategies can transform your dormant leads into active opportunities.
Meet Our Chief Technology Officer
About LUKE Houk
Luke is a current student at the University of Utah pursuing a degree in Business Administration, and CTO of Grizzled CMO, an AI-powered consultancy providing sales automation, lead nurture and a database reactivation platform called ScaleSynth. He is skilled in leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and effective communication to align business needs with technical capabilities for maximum impact.
Luke is the Founder & CEO of Detailers AI, an AI Sales Assistant & custom CRM for the automotive services industry. His experience in the auto detailing industry inspired him to produce an all-in-one solution for business owners who wanted to streamline sales and marketing with modern AI capabilities, without spending 5-6 figures on employees to do it for them.
Luke previously built, owned and operated Mobile Detail Doctor, a mobile car detailing service based in Raleigh, NC. With over 5 years in business, 6 full time employees, and a glowing 5-star online reputation from thousands of satisfied clients, Mobile Detail Doctor quickly grew to become one of the largest non-franchised mobile detailing companies in the Triangle, NC area. MDD received Expertise.com’s Best Car Detailing Shops in Raleigh award for 2021 & 2022. MDD was sold and acquired by local corporate car care competitor, Get Spiffy, Inc. in 2022 on private terms.
When he’s tinkering with AI tools, Luke enjoys Brazilian jiu jitsu, and many outdoor activities like fly fishing, camping, hiking, snowmobiling and skiing. He’s also a Level 3 certified USA Hockey Referee, and enjoys giving back to the game he grew up playing.
Luke was blessed to have started playing ice hockey when he was 5, ultimately moving across the country when he was 16 and living in many different states to pursue junior hockey, and eventually a college commitment at the University of Delaware in 2020.
