Sally-Ann Dale, a founding chief of Droga5 and certainly one of promoting’s most influential manufacturing executives, died unexpectedly on August 3. She was 55 years previous.
Born within the U.Ok., Dale started her promoting profession at simply 15 years previous and rapidly rose by way of the ranks at Saatchi & Saatchi London, turning into head of TV at 18. It was there that she first labored with David Droga, forging a artistic partnership that will span a long time.
In 2003, Dale relocated to New York to steer manufacturing at Publicis, the place Droga was worldwide chief artistic officer. Three years later, she turned the third worker at Droga5, enjoying an instrumental function within the company’s rise to prominence.
As chief creation officer and accomplice, Dale helped forge a brand new mannequin for contemporary manufacturing management whereas overseeing work for shoppers together with Meta, Hennessy, The New York Occasions, Chase, and Amazon. She constructed a 180-person manufacturing and studio outlined by creativity, excellence, and care.
Neil Heymann, international CCO at Accenture Tune, remembered Dale as “an enormous.”
“She led with coronary heart, and her quiet fearlessness is woven by way of the complete Droga5 portfolio,” he stated. “Sally’s portfolio speaks for itself: world-class work, crafted superbly in each type. However what we’ll bear in mind most is her love for her collaborators and co-conspirators… She was a servant chief—at all times ensuring her crew was supported, empowered, and seen.”
Outdoors of shaping a few of the most acclaimed artistic in fashionable promoting, Dale’s affect prolonged far past work. Her proudest function was as a mom to her youngsters: 19-year-old Matilda and 17-year-old Saul.
“We lose a frontrunner, a mom, a drive that’s fed so many,” wrote Justin Durazzo, immersive design director at Accenture Tune. “Sally-Ann set new bars. As human, colleague, mentor.”
Marianne Stefanowicz, chief neighborhood and communications officer at Mom, described Dale as “a beautiful human,” including, “she might be missed by many as her impression will proceed to be felt all through the trade, and past.”
Calleen Colburn, govt producer at Arts & Letters Artistic Co., shared a extra private reminiscence on LinkedIn: “I cherished my time along with her and appeared ahead to our weekly catch ups. She’d take notes and we’d bond over our love for pens and notebooks. She was the true deal—no BS and was genuine in her pursuit and method to craft however what I loved most was the flicker in her eyes and the way a lot she cared.”
In 2024, Dale stepped away from Droga5 to launch a consultancy exploring new types of immersive storytelling. She additionally devoted her time and abilities to the nonprofit Saving Moms, which works to forestall deaths throughout being pregnant and childbirth—a trigger near her coronary heart.
In lieu of flowers, the household encourages donations to Saving Moms. A memorial website the place buddies and colleagues can share reminiscences is accessible right here.
