Sally-Ann Dale, a founding leader of Droga5 and one of advertising’s most influential production executives, died unexpectedly on August 3. She was 55 years old.
Born in the U.K., Dale began her advertising career at just 15 years old and quickly rose through the ranks at Saatchi & Saatchi London, becoming head of TV at 18. It was there that she first worked with David Droga, forging a creative partnership that would span decades.
In 2003, Dale relocated to New York to lead production at Publicis, where Droga was worldwide chief creative officer. Three years later, she became the third employee at Droga5, playing an instrumental role in the agency’s rise to prominence.
As chief creation officer and partner, Dale helped forge a new model for modern production leadership while overseeing work for clients including Meta, Hennessy, The New York Times, Chase, and Amazon. She built a 180-person production and studio defined by creativity, excellence, and care.
Neil Heymann, global CCO at Accenture Song, remembered Dale as “a giant.”
“She led with heart, and her quiet fearlessness is woven through the entire Droga5 portfolio,” he said. “Sally’s portfolio speaks for itself: world-class work, crafted beautifully in every form. But what we’ll remember most is her love for her collaborators and co-conspirators… She was a servant leader—always making sure her team was supported, empowered, and seen.”
Outside of shaping some of the most acclaimed creative in modern advertising, Dale’s influence extended far beyond work. Her proudest role was as a mother to her children: 19-year-old Matilda and 17-year-old Saul.
“We lose a leader, a mother, a force that’s fed so many,” wrote Justin Durazzo, immersive design director at Accenture Song. “Sally-Ann set new bars. As human, colleague, mentor.”
Marianne Stefanowicz, chief community and communications officer at Mother, described Dale as “a lovely human,” adding, “she will be missed by many as her impact will continue to be felt throughout the industry, and beyond.”
Calleen Colburn, executive producer at Arts & Letters Creative Co., shared a more personal memory on LinkedIn: “I loved my time with her and looked forward to our weekly catch ups. She’d take notes and we’d bond over our love for pens and notebooks. She was the real deal—no BS and was authentic in her pursuit and approach to craft but what I enjoyed most was the sparkle in her eyes and how much she cared.”
In 2024, Dale stepped away from Droga5 to launch a consultancy exploring new forms of immersive storytelling. She also dedicated her time and skills to the nonprofit Saving Mothers, which works to prevent deaths during pregnancy and childbirth—a cause close to her heart.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to Saving Mothers. A memorial site where friends and colleagues can share memories is available here.
