• by Fern Siegel , November 28, 2023

Brand consultancy-creative agency 50,000feet tapped Doug Gallow as managing director and Mark Smeraglinolo as senior vice president, finance.

Gallow will drive client and new business growth across the agency, centered on client work originating in the U.S. He will work on the Mastercard account. A seasoned brand consultant, Gallow began his career at Ogilvy. Most recently, he was associate partner at VSA partner, working with clients such as Kohler, Morningstar, UBS and AbbVie.

Smeraglinolo has experience spanning both public accounting and private industry roles. For the last three years, he worked as vice president, controller at 3Q Digital (now DEPT). He started his career as an audit manager at Deloitte and director of accounting at The Duchossis Group.

Both hires will be based in Chicago and report to Jim Misener, CEO, 50,000feet.

“50,000feet is setting the standard for what it means to deliver brand transformation in a digitally transformed world,” said Misener. “The addition of Doug and Mark, as well as other recent additions to our team, is a testament to all of our collective talent, dedication and world-class work.”

In June, the company opened a London outpost that serves as a European hub for global clients, including Mastercard, BCG and Knoll.

Two months ago, the firm added Turner-Duckworth veteran Moira Seymour as managing director, London. Mid-year, Erie Street Growth Partners invested in the consultancy to support its strategic growth.

Gallow told Agency Daily that the agency "strikes a unique balance of strategic consulting and creativity, as well as integrates technology and the digital experience. This way of working allows the firm to really pay off what we do — transforming brands for a digitally transforming world."

In 2020, 50,000feet joined forces with design firm Carbone Smolan Agency, opening an office in New York. In February 2023, 50,000feet launched a health and wellness practice.

Agency work includes BCG X, Sony and Northwest.