Sarah Thompson, the global lead for Accenture Song’s communications unit and former Droga5 global CEO, is departing the company due to personal reasons, Ad Age has learned.

Thompson first joined Droga5 in 2008 as general manager after serving at several agencies including BBH, Goodby Silverstein & Partners and Mullen. She steadily moved up the ranks, becoming Droga5’s global CEO in 2014, and was one of the driving forces behind the agency’s stellar growth and eventual acquisition by Accenture Interactive in 2019.

Thompson in January was elevated to her current role at the consulting giant alongside Nick Law, who was simultaneously appointed global lead for design and creative tech at Accenture Song.

"It has been nothing short of a privilege to build Droga5, the best agency in the world with David over the course of 15 years," Thompson said. "As well as integrating amazing agencies across Accenture to Accenture Song over the past year, Accenture Song and Droga are far bigger than one person. They will continue to lead the industry and do great work with or without me. How lucky I have been. I am taking time to reflect on what I do next and leave a tremendous global team in charge."

David Droga said that "I'll be forever grateful to Sarah as a partner, friend and peer. In the 15 years we've worked together, she’s only left a trail of goodness and belief in her path. Her contributions to Droga5 and Accenture Song are almost immeasurable."

Thompson's departure marks the latest shift in the ranks at Accenture. In May, Wieden+Kennedy vet Jason Kreher stepped into the newly created role chief creative officer, brand, North America at Accenture Song. In October, Accenture Song tapped Adam Kerj as chief creative officer for Europe and promoted Jon Wilkins to global chief strategy officer for its communications practice. Liz Wilson was named growth and integrated client solutions lead for its communications practice in Europe. 

Former Droga5 Global Chief Creative Officer Neil Heymann, who had left briefly to join Publicis, rejoined Accenture Song as global chief creative officer last February.

There have been significant changes at Droga as well this year. The agency's Co-Chief Creative Officer Tim Gordon departed to join Zulu Alpha Kilo and its other Co-Chief Creative Officer Felix Richter left to join Mother London. Scott Bell was promoted to take over as chief creative officer in New York. Then in May, Droga5 London’s Chief Creative Officer David Kolbusz joined independent agency Orchard. The Droga position was soon filled by Shelly Smoler.

In April of last year, Droga5 Global Chief Strategy Officer Jonny Bauer left to join Blackstone. In November 2021, Susie Nam was promoted to CEO of the Americas; Managing Director Dan Gonda became president of Droga5 New York; and Sean Lackey added global duties to his chief marketing officer role.