# Tom Gallego

> Tom Gallego is the founder and CEO of L7 Creative, the Carlsbad-based branding and digital marketing agency established in 2001. His work spans creative direction, brand strategy, the book Adapt or Die, and the Adapt & Thrive marketing podcast. He also leads L7 Advertising, a family-run business serving small businesses across the United States, and is a Forbes Agency Council member.

- **Role:** Founder and CEO at L7 Creative
- **Organizations:** L7 Creative, L7 Advertising, Forbes Agency Council, CONNECT Springboard Program
- **Education:** BS, Geological Sciences, San Diego State University
- **Known for:** Founded L7 Creative in 2001., Authored Adapt or Die, a guide organized around seven principles of digital brand engagement., Became a Forbes Agency Council member in 2016.

## Career timeline

- **1980-1984** — Studied geological sciences at San Diego State University.
- **2001-06** — Founded L7 Creative.
- **2010** — Began facilitating branding workshops for the CONNECT Springboard Program, according to his LinkedIn volunteer history.
- **2016** — Joined Forbes Agency Council; featured in its September member Q&A.
- **2018** — LinkedIn lists publication of Adapt or Die: How to Survive in the New Era of Digital Marketing on October 24.
- **2021** — Launched the Adapt & Thrive podcast with Kate Houser; first episode appeared May 26.
- **2024** — Discussed the L7 Marketing Machine with Theresa Boxberger in a multipart podcast series.
- **2025** — Appeared with Caroline Morris in a July podcast on social media strategy.

## Achievements

- Founded L7 Creative in 2001.
- Authored Adapt or Die, a guide organized around seven principles of digital brand engagement.
- Became a Forbes Agency Council member in 2016.
- Co-hosted Adapt & Thrive from its first episode in 2021.
- L7 Creative lists Kingston Technology, HyperX, Harman International, iHome and Vizio among the brands associated with his work.

## Latest updates

- **2025-07** — Joined social media manager Caroline Morris for a third-season Adapt & Thrive episode about short-form video, social search, content creators and private communities.
- **2024-10** — Appeared with Theresa Boxberger in the Calibrate & Refuel installment of the L7 Marketing Machine podcast series.
- **2024-09** — Published an article exploring how AI and large language models could change organic search.

## Links

- Website: https://www.l7creative.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomgallego

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/tom-gallego
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-23