David Droga steps down as Accenture Song CEO

David Droga is stepping down as Accenture Song’s chief executive officer, passing on the reins of one of the world’s biggest tech-powered creative businesses.

Droga will officially step down on September 1, after four years in the role.

The Australian creative is one of adland’s most respected names. He began his career at just 18 in Sydney, becoming an executive creative director by 22 at Omon. He was the first-ever worldwide chief creative officer of the Publicis Network and held key creative leadership roles across agencies in the UK, Asia and Australia.

He founded Droga5 in 2006 in New York, and two years later, its Sydney office opened. A few years later, 2012, there was unprecedented growth locally, due to a couple of huge client wins including Qantas and Woolworths. In just eight months, the agency’s headcount grew from around 50 to 130. In 2015 however, Droga5 shut down its local operations following several senior staff departures and client losses.

David Droga

Accenture Interactive (now Accenture Song) acquired Droga5 in 2019, which at the time was the largest deal to date by the consulting firm’s agency arm. It had previously also acquired other agencies, including The Monkeys, which has since turned into a re-established version of Droga5.

Droga has been at the helm of Accenture Song since 2021, when he replaced Brian Whipple as CEO. He led the business’ rebrand in 2022, unifying over 40 acquisitions under the new name. Under his leadership, the company integrated creativity, technology, design, AI, strategy, and data into a single platform.

He is one of the most awarded creatives at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, is the youngest person ever inducted into the New York Art Directors Club Hall of Fame, and he was awarded with the Cannes Lions Lifetime Achievement Award, the Lion of St. Mark.

While he considered retirement, Droga will instead stay with Accenture as its vice chair, working across the entire business. He told the Wall Street Journal that he plans to dedicate more time to the foundation he set up with his brother, as well as other companies he has invested in, in addition to taking some time off.

“I’m happy to catch my breath, because I’ve been sprinting since I was 18,” he said.

“I want to take a few beats to understand how I can contribute in different ways, meaningful ways… Not running the day-to-day of Song frees up a lot of thinking time and contribution time.”

Julie Sweet, chair and CEO of Accenture, said: “David Droga has long been a singular force and a once-in-a-generation creative leader and business builder and he has lived our core value of stewardship and has developed the next generation of leaders who will build an even better Song.

“He brings humanity, imagination, clarity, and confidence to everything he touches and helps redefine how businesses grow and connect. His brilliance is matched only by his generosity, integrity, and belief in others. As Accenture’s vice chair, his legacy and impact will continue for our people, our work, and our purpose.”

Ndidi Oteh, head of Accenture Song’s Americas business, will succeed him. Meanwhile Nick Law, current creative chair, will take on a new role of creative strategy and experience lead.

Oteh has been with Accenture for nearly 14 years, mostly outside the advertising unit, while Law has been with Song since 2022.