Mike Gallardi

Creative Director with 20+ years of experience building brands, campaigns, and customer experiences across wellness, lifestyle, retail, and consumer markets. Experienced leading creative strategy, brand development, and integrated marketing initiatives that connect business goals with clear creative execution. Skilled at guiding cross-functional teams, shaping brand vision, and delivering cohesive experiences across digital, social, motion, retail, and performance marketing channels.

Selected experience includes Nike, Vans, Reef, Vuori, Fridays, NativeMed, Rip Curl, Quiksilver, and growth-stage wellness brands.

Brand Lead at C Squared Social (2022-01 – Present)

• Led brand strategy, creative direction, and campaign development across wellness, lifestyle, and consumer brands spanning digital, social, paid media, and web platforms.
• Developed performance-driven creative aligned to engagement, acquisition, conversion, and ROAS goals across multi-channel campaigns.
• Guided multidisciplinary creative teams and cross-functional partners to align creative execution with audience targeting, campaign performance, and brand objectives.
• Established scalable content systems and production workflows that improved creative consistency, operational efficiency, and campaign execution across client accounts.

Co-Founder, Creative Director at UPLAND Brand Development (2017-01 – 2022-12)

• Directed brand development, creative strategy, and integrated marketing initiatives for startups and growth-stage companies across wellness, lifestyle, retail, and consumer markets.
• Led the development of brand identities, integrated campaigns, digital experiences, and multi-channel content ecosystems across web, social, motion, and print.
• Guided multidisciplinary creative teams and external partners through concept development, production, and campaign execution while establishing scalable workflows that improved creative consistency and operational efficiency.
• Built asset management systems and production standards that improved cross-functional collaboration and long-term brand consistency.

Art Director, Print & Production Specialist at Fastsigns (2012-01 – 2017-12)

• Oversaw design and production across large-format print, signage, environmental graphics, and branded marketing materials for regional and national clients.
• Managed high-volume production workflows while maintaining quality, consistency, and fast turnaround across client projects.
• Collaborated with sales, production, and client teams to develop functional visual solutions aligned with brand standards and business objectives.

Senior Graphic Designer at Mellace Family Brands | Mama Cares Foundation (2008-01 – 2012-12)

• Created multi-channel marketing campaigns and brand assets across print, digital, retail, packaging, and promotional environments.
• Built scalable design systems, templates, and production standards that improved workflow efficiency and creative alignment across teams.

Senior Graphic Designer at Surfride Boardshops (2006-01 – 2008-12)

• Led creative development for in-store campaigns, branded marketing materials, and retail graphics across multiple store locations.

Industrial Graphic Designer at Chandler Signs (2004-01 – 2006-12)

Applied Arts & Sciences, Graphic Design Studies – San Diego State University

Associate in Arts (AA) – MiraCosta College