FTF strengthens leadership with two key C-suite promotions

CHICAGO – Feb. 2, 2026 – Fifty Thousand Feet (FTF), a global brand consultancy known for strategic clarity, world-class craft, and deep, senior-led partnerships with leading organizations, today announced the promotions of Erica Riccobono to Chief Client Officer and Mike May to Chief Strategy Officer. Both appointments are effective immediately. The promotions follow Fifty Thousand Feet’s recent acquisition of design firm Tangible and reflect the firm’s continued investment in leadership to help clients navigate increasing complexity as its capabilities expand.

Erica Riccobono, Chief Client Officer

Formerly a Managing Director, Riccobono steps into the role of Chief Client Officer, responsible for client relationships, account growth, and the overall quality of the client experience across the firm. In this role, she leads the account function, ensuring strong partnerships, disciplined delivery, and sustained value for clients.

Since joining the firm in February 2025, Riccobono has played a key role in strengthening client retention and expansion, elevating account excellence, and aligning cross-functional teams around client priorities. She is known for her ability to build trusted, long-term relationships with senior stakeholders and to guide organizations through moments of change. As Chief Client Officer, she will continue to focus on deepening client partnerships and scaling a consistently high-quality client experience as Fifty Thousand Feet grows.

Mike May, Chief Strategy Officer

Previously serving as Managing Director, Strategy, May now assumes responsibility for firm-wide solution design, delivery leadership, practice building, and mentorship. As Chief Strategy Officer, he will shape how Fifty Thousand Feet defines, delivers, and evolves its strategic offerings across brand, experience, and transformation.

Since joining the firm in August 2025, May has played a central role in sharpening Fifty Thousand Feet’s strategic point of view, leading complex engagements for senior client teams, and developing frameworks that help organizations make clearer choices and move forward with confidence. In his new role, he will continue to elevate the rigor, consistency, and ambition of the firm’s strategic work while developing the next generation of strategic leaders.

“These promotions are perfectly timed as Fifty Thousand Feet expands its portfolio and deepens its capabilities following the acquisition of Tangible,” said Kate Watts, CEO of Fifty Thousand Feet. “Mike and Erica are the right leaders at the right time for our firm. Their judgment, leadership, and partnership have been instrumental to our success, and they will play a critical role as we continue building a more integrated, future-ready firm for our clients.”

May and Riccobono join the executive leadership team in guiding Fifty Thousand Feet through its next chapter, reinforcing the firm’s commitment to strategic clarity, enduring client partnerships, and building timeless brands.

About Fifty Thousand Feet

Fifty Thousand Feet is a global brand consultancy that partners with leading organizations to build brands that drive growth, relevance, and long-term value. Spanning brand strategy, experience design, digital transformation, and integrated creative, FTF helps organizations achieve clarity, coherence, and timelessness across the full customer journey. With studios in Chicago, New York, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and London, FTF works with ambitious leaders to create brands designed to endure.