After an incredibly successful three-decade tenure, Sally Kissane has announced she is stepping down from her role as CEO of Ogilvy Network ANZ. Sally will be leaving the agency this month, and potential successors are currently being considered.
In her statement, Sally shared, “I have been incredibly fortunate to work with the most talented teams, as well as brave and innovative clients throughout my career at Ogilvy. This is a testament to Ogilvy’s ability to develop its talent for the long term, and I have often said that I ‘bleed red’ as a result.”
She continued, “It’s my loyalty to Ogilvy that has led me to make this difficult decision. At this pivotal moment in our network’s evolution, I believe it’s time for new leadership to take Ogilvy into the next chapter. While it’s never easy to leave, after 30 years, I am confident in my decision. I am incredibly proud of the work we’ve done, the creativity and effectiveness that have been at the core of everything we do, and the vibrant culture we have continuously fostered. The formation of Ogilvy ANZ Network will be one of the defining moments of my career. Together with Ogilvy ANZ’s leaders and staff, we have expanded and integrated our capabilities to become one of the most integrated agencies in the region. I will deeply miss Ogilvy, our people, and our clients but will always be a close friend to the business, cheering on its future success from the sidelines.”
Sally’s career at Ogilvy began in the early 1990s in Sydney, where she started in client service. She honed her leadership skills at Ogilvy New York, focusing on the IBM global account for over a decade. She then returned to Australia to take on the role of Managing Partner at Ogilvy One, before becoming Ogilvy Australia’s Managing Director in 2018. In March 2021, she was appointed CEO of Ogilvy Australia, later leading the creation of Ogilvy Network ANZ to better serve clients across the region. Under her leadership, Ogilvy Australia earned the title of Employer of Choice for seven consecutive years in The Australian Business Awards, a unique achievement in the industry.
Sally’s legacy also includes spearheading initiatives like the unification of Ogilvy’s social and influence services under the Social@Ogilvy brand, a move that brought together over 30 platform-certified social specialists.
Devika Bulchandani, Global CEO of Ogilvy, praised Sally for her remarkable three-decade journey, stating, “Sally’s passion for our brand, our culture, and the careers of our people has been clear to everyone she’s worked with. She didn’t just lead; she created an environment where creativity thrived, consistently delivering exceptional value and results for our clients. Sally leaves a lasting legacy that will be felt for years.”
Ogilvy’s leaders will continue to drive the agency’s vision forward, with the support of WPP Australia and New Zealand President Rose Herceg. Rose commented, “Sally’s leadership has been an inspiration to us all. Her unwavering commitment to driving growth for our clients through the power of culture and her dedication to developing female leadership have been pivotal in shaping the future of Ogilvy. She leaves behind a culture of teamwork, collaboration, and diversity of thought that will continue to drive Ogilvy forward.”
Ogilvy’s legacy of creativity, collaboration, and leadership development is set to continue, as the agency looks ahead to its next chapter.
