Annette King leaves Accenture Song and steps back from executive career

Annette King, the global lead at the marketing practice of Accenture Song, has left the consultancy and ended her 35-year executive career.

King made the decision after a recent health experience.

Accenture Song hired King in April 2023. She joined the consulting giant in October of that year, and David Droga, the global chief executive of Accenture Song, almost immediately expanded her role in a reorganisation.

In the UK, Accenture Song acquired Unlimited Group, which includes TMW Unlimited. The consultancy also shored up Droga5's global leadership, bringing in Pelle Sjoenell, the former global creative chief at Bartle Bogle Hegarty, as chief creative officer and appointing Mark Green, the co-founder of Accenture-owned The Monkeys, as chief executive. 

King Charles awarded King a damehood in his Birthday Honours in June 2023.

From 2018 until 2023, King was the chief executive of Publicis Groupe UK, where she was responsible for all of the French-headquartered group’s UK businesses, including Publicis. Sapient, Zenith, Digitas and Saatchi & Saatchi. Publicis Groupe's UK revenues rose 22% year on year in 2022.

King said: “To those who know me, it's no exaggeration to say that this industry has been one of my great loves. I consider myself extraordinarily lucky to have been embraced by it and the many people who make it the wild and wonderful place it is.

“I have seen and learned a lot over the past few decades, and after my time at Accenture Song, I can confidently say that we’re in for our most exciting chapter yet. I would have loved to continue leading the marketing practice, but a recent health experience has made it clear to me that it is time for a change, and so, while it has not been an easy decision, it is the right one.”  

King spent 17 years at the WPP network Ogilvy, latterly as the group chief executive of Ogilvy UK from 2014 to 2017, during which time it won the advertising account for British Airways and Vodafone. She was the UK chief executive of its direct specialist OgilvyOne between 2008 and 2012 and the EMEA chief executive of OgilvyOne between 2012 and 2014. Campaign named OgilvyOne Direct Agency of the Year for three consecutive years in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

Droga said: “My professional affection and deep respect for Annette is no secret. She is as brilliant as she is lovely. And for the record, I was a fan long before the royal family. 

“While her time at Song was shorter than we both would have liked, her impact has been vast and meaningful. The team she built and the confidence and calmness she instilled will echo for years. 

“But life has a funny way of resetting priorities, and I couldn’t be prouder of our relationship and her decision. We will be friends for life, and she will be a Song mentor in perpetuity.”

King, who started her career at Wunderman, will continue as a non-executive director at Channel 4 and the chair of the Advertising Association.