Sally-Ann Dale, the creative force who helped build Droga5 New York into one of the most influential ad agencies in the world, has died at the age of 53.
Her passing was confirmed Wednesday in a moving tribute on LinkedIn by Justin Durazzo, creative director and producer at Accenture Song’s Metaverse Continuum.
Life can just rip the rug from underneath it seems.
Least expected, violent force.
Insufferable, human shock.
Monday, as one of those days.
To reckon with your whole existence.
Question value in every moment…
where the measure of performance
is only time itself
and how we truly choose to spend it.
We lose a leader, a mother,
a force that’s fed so many.
For the past of several decades.
Of beautifully deviant cultures.
Of widely varied skillsets.
Uncompromised taste and character.
Spanning gradient-like textures.
Sally-Ann set new bars.
As human, colleague, mentor.
A supportive, loving nature,
creatively-driven instinct
for unimaginable heights.
As individuals, in community.
A reason to show up daily.
That morning cup of tea
(cold brew with Dos Coffee).
That random British biscuit.
Through love, respect,
through shared desire.
For an impact on our week,
For a placement on our world.
Immense immeasurable passion.
Infectious and contagious.
For the time to process an exit like so
stand on par with the years of her sweet harvest.
Of care and such attention
to every detail in her craft.
For the sake of friends and family.
For the sake of art and progress.
We’ll miss you oh so much.
The random thoughtful check-ins.
The local BK gossip.
The care for how we’re doing.
Your favorite new design swipe.
We’ll pour a few out for you.
In celebration and momentum.
For the love of God and time,
for a memorably good time.
XO Sally-Ann Dale
Droga5
hashtag#bitsandbobs hashtag#Droga5
Born in the U.K., Sally-Ann Dale left school at 15 and began her advertising career in 1988 as producer and head of TV at Saatchi & Saatchi London. She moved to the U.S. in 2003, serving as Publicis’ head of production before joining David Droga in 2006 to launch Droga5 New York. Over nearly 17 years, she rose to chief creation officer, overseeing award-winning work for more than 50 brands, including Toyota’s Fueled by Bullsht* and Air Wick’s Home is in the Air.
After a brief hiatus from 2023 to 2024, Dale returned to the industry as an executive producer at Smuggler and production specialist for Accenture Song, later freelancing as a creative producer and consultant.
Dale was known for her relentless creativity, high standards, and ability to inspire teams to push boundaries. She is survived by her two children, Matilda and Saul, and was living in Brooklyn, New York, at the time of her passing.
Reel 360 News expresses our condolences to Sally-Anne’s family.
REELated:
Malcolm-Jamal Warner, ‘The Cosby Show’ star, drowns
