Sally-Ann Dale, a founding chief of Droga5 and one in every of promoting’s most influential manufacturing executives, died unexpectedly on August 3. She was 55 years previous.
Born within the U.Okay., Dale started her promoting profession at simply 15 years previous and shortly rose via the ranks at Saatchi & Saatchi London, changing into head of TV at 18. It was there that she first labored with David Droga, forging a artistic partnership that may span many years.
In 2003, Dale relocated to New York to guide manufacturing at Publicis, the place Droga was worldwide chief artistic officer. Three years later, she grew to become the third worker at Droga5, taking part in an instrumental function within the company’s rise to prominence.
As chief creation officer and associate, Dale helped forge a brand new mannequin for contemporary manufacturing management whereas overseeing work for purchasers together with Meta, Hennessy, The New York Instances, Chase, and Amazon. She constructed a 180-person manufacturing and studio outlined by creativity, excellence, and care.
Neil Heymann, international CCO at Accenture Music, remembered Dale as “a large.”
“She led with coronary heart, and her quiet fearlessness is woven via the whole Droga5 portfolio,” he stated. “Sally’s portfolio speaks for itself: world-class work, crafted fantastically in each type. However what we’ll keep in mind most is her love for her collaborators and co-conspirators… She was a servant chief—all the time ensuring her staff was supported, empowered, and seen.”
Exterior of shaping among the most acclaimed artistic in trendy promoting, Dale’s affect prolonged far past work. Her proudest function was as a mom to her kids: 19-year-old Matilda and 17-year-old Saul.
“We lose a frontrunner, a mom, a pressure that’s fed so many,” wrote Justin Durazzo, immersive design director at Accenture Music. “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 will likely be missed by many as her impression will proceed to be felt all through the trade, and past.”
Calleen Colburn, government producer at Arts & Letters Inventive Co., shared a extra private reminiscence on LinkedIn: “I cherished my time together 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 strategy 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 expertise to the nonprofit Saving Moms, which works to stop 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 web site the place associates and colleagues can share recollections is offered right here.
