Australian advertising guru David Droga new CEO of Accenture Interactive

Accenture Interactive – the world’s largest digital agency with revenues in excess of US$10 billion – has named Australian advertising legend David Droga as its next CEO and Creative Chairman.

David Droga founded acclaimed agency Droga5, which was acquired by Accenture in 2019 and recently expanded to the Asia Pacific, and is the most awarded creative at the Cannes Lions festival. He replaces Brian Whipple, who has held the role for the past ten years and is retiring from the agency next month.

As a young kid growing up in the NSW ski resort of Thredbo (a population of just 450), Droga dreamed of touring the world as an instructor. Rather, he found himself in the mailroom of Grey Advertising, an unlikely platform that would nevertheless see him soon enough take on the world stage. At just 22, he became the Executive Creative Director of OMON Sydney, before shooting up the ranks at Saatchi & Saatchi in Singapore and Asia.

Barely a decade into his career, at 31 and with a slew of achievements already under his belt, Droga was named Executive Creative Director of Saatchi & Saatchi in London – one of the world’s most renowned agencies. A role as Worldwide Chief Creative Officer of the entire Publicis network followed, before Droga set off on his own to establish Droga5 in New York in 2006, building it into an acclaimed $200 million business.

From the 1st of September, he will helm an organisation which last year pulled in revenues of $10.6 billion, with 18,000 employees across 40 offices worldwide. “At a time when our clients are led by purpose, brand and the transformation of experience, David’s global perspective and unmatched creative track record allows us to help clients unlock business and human outcomes in unprecedented ways,” said Accenture CEO Julie Sweet.

Droga takes over from Brian Whipple, who will retire after spending altogether 20 years at the professional services giant. First joining Accenture for a ten-year stint as a strategy consultant in 1987, Whipple then spent 12 years between advertising agencies RAPP and Hill Holliday – respectively as senior vice president and COO – before rejoining the firm in 2011 to head up Accenture Interactive shortly after its formation.

During his tenure, Whipple has overseen more than 30 acquisitions, including Australian indie The Monkeys (CEO Mark Green now heads up Accenture Interactive in Australia and New Zealand) and a recent entry into Southeast Asia through the pick up of Malaysian branding agency Entropia. The biggest statement though was the purchase of Droga5, which was recently named by both Adweek and AdAge as ‘Agency of the Decade’.

“Accenture Interactive has rapidly become the leading digital powerhouse at the intersection of data, creativity and technology,” commented Droga. “As the world seeks to build back better, Interactive will continue to play a critical role in creating 360 degree value for our clients. I look forward to putting further emphasis on our creative excellence, coupling it with our world-class ingenuity and proven expertise in Interactive and experiences.”