Advertising luminary Dame Annette King DBE has died at 57.  

Her 35-year career in the business included service at WPP, Publicis and most recently Accenture Song, where she paused her career in early 2025 to deal with a health issue. 

She started her career at Wunderman before moving to Ogilvy where she spent 17 years, lastly as U.K. Group CEO. 

In 2018 she was named UK CEO at Publicis Groupe and in 2023 joined Accenture Song as global lead of its communications practice.  

Ogilvy issued a statement, describing King as “a fierce, passionate visionary, famously pairing a steely competitive edge with a legendary capacity for kindness, infectious enthusiasm, a wicked sense of humor, and sheer fun. She led and lived with absolute humanity and a boundless verve for life. Annette profoundly loved people—whether clients, colleagues, peers, or even competitors—approaching everyone with genuine curiosity and unparalleled generosity with her time.” 

Beyond Ogilvy, the agency noted King was a "tireless and fervent advocate for causes close to her heart," including mental health initiatives, pioneering menopause policies, and promoting neurodiversity "long before these became standard corporate discussions."

The agency's tribute continued: "As a mentor for the Marketing Academy and Chair of the Advertising Association, she embodied 'paying it forward,' nurturing emerging talent with unwavering dedication. Her spirit, known for bursts of laughter, deep friendship, and a love of a glass of Chardonnay, served as a constant, joyful reminder that while advertising is serious business, it should also be 'wild and wonderful.'"