Annette Sally has been named executive VP at Atlanta-based independent agency Blue Sky. Sally will be responsible for overseeing the agency’s client relations and new business development.
She comes to Blue Sky most recently from 22squared, where she was executive director of client services. In that role, Sally oversaw clients including The Home Depot, Publix, SunTrust, Baskin-Robbins, and Southeast Toyota. Previously, she was an EVP at Leo Burnett Worldwide, Arnold NYC, and Grey Group, where she managed global brand portfolios such as Procter & Gamble, Unilever, and Edgewell Personal Care.
At Leo Burnett Sally was account lead on the critically acclaimed and culture-changing campaign Always #LikeaGirl, which swept the awards circuit, winning an Emmy, Global Gold Effie, Black Pencil, Grand Clio, Titanium Lion, Glass Lion, and the Grand Prix at Cannes.
“Annette’s track record speaks for itself and is a true testament to her comprehensive experience working with clients to produce exceptional work,” said Blue Sky CEO Rob Farinella. “She’s a courageous leader who’s not afraid to challenge industry standards. Annette’s ability to impact our client’s brands and businesses in a more entrepreneurial agency environment is truly exciting. She’s a team player whose intuitive strategic acumen is matched only by her friendly and caring personality.”
Sally’s new role, paired with the 2020 hiring of executive creative director Mariana Costa, brings together two powerhouse women from large holding company agencies. “I’m very excited to be joining an independent agency that consistently elevates client partners to new heights,” said Sally. “I’m especially thrilled to be working alongside Mariana Costa to grow client business to its greatest potential.”
Eleanor Adds Director Candice Vernon To Its Roster For Spots and Branded Content
Director Candice Vernon has joined production house Eleanor for U.S. representation spanning commercials and branded content. She has already wrapped several jobs at Eleanor, which waited to announce her until they had a body of work together.
Via Eleanor, Vernon made history as the first Black director on a Febreze commercial. The “Small Spaces” campaign marks a major departure from Febreze’s typical blue-and-white world. The home of the “Revolving Door” commercial is a beautiful array of bold sunset hues, African prints, and African art.
Vernon said, “I asked myself, what feels right to me? What feels new? I wanted to bring an essence of not just Black Americans but the full diaspora. I wanted to make a statement that we’re not a monolith.”
Following the success of the “Small Spaces” campaign, Febreze brought Vernon back for a comedy-infused trifecta exploring the hilarious situations that call for an air freshening hero.
Febreze Brand VP Angelica Matthews said, “About two years ago, we realized the consumers that were the most loyal to Febreze were the African American consumers. And the more we learned, the more we realized the richness that we were really missing. So we said we have to go beyond just Black casting, we need to get Black directors that truly understand the culture that truly understand how to bring authentic performances out on screen. We really looked around the industry and noticed there’s actually a shortage of African American directors who have experience doing commercials. When we all saw Candice’s reel, we could all tell the passion for the craft, passion for really trying to help us from where we are to where we’re trying to go.”
Vernon brings a unique lens to... Read More