Droga5 global CEO, Mark Green, died of a heart attack in New York on Saturday, aged 53. Green was one of three of-founders of famed Australian agency, The Monkeys, that was absorbed into Droga5 at the end of 2024. He was also a former chair of Advertising Council Australia (ACA) and a visionary leader whose influence shaped Australian and global advertising for more than two decades.

“It is with tremendous sadness that we acknowledge that Mark Green passed away from a heart attack on Saturday in New York City at the age of 53. It was sudden and unexpected. As co-founder of legendary advertising agency, The Monkeys, president of Song ANZ and most recently, Global CEO of Droga5, Mark made an indelible mark on the advertising industry both in Australia and globally,” stated an Accenture spokesperson, in a statement.

“Under his leadership, The Monkeys and Song ANZ captured our imagination with celebrated campaigns like The Government of Tuvalu’s First Digital Nation and Sydney Opera House’s Play It Safe. At the helm of Droga5, he scaled the agency to become a full-fledged global network, and for the first time in its history, it was named Ad Age A-List Network of the Year.

“He was a trusted mentor and friend to many, and his loss will be felt deeply by our entire family at Droga5, Accenture and Accenture Song. He will be remembered not only as the visionary that he was, but for his generosity, his humour, and his empathy.”

ACA chair, Michael Rebelo, commented, “The loss of Mark is incredibly hard to comprehend. We grew up in this industry together, from our early days as suits at Saatchi & Saatchi, and I feel very lucky to have called Greenie a dear friend. He was an exceptional leader, with strong business instincts and real creative bravery, who backed great ideas with absolute conviction and inspired those around him to go for it.

“He gave so much to our industry, but what I’ll remember most is his passion for creativity and his remarkable ability to bring people together, even rallying competing agencies for the greater good. It was a privilege to work alongside him on the ACA Board, and even more so to know him as a friend. His passing leaves an enormous void, and he will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with Rachel, Ari, Gisele and Mark’s wider family.”

ACA CEO, Tony Hale, added, “I am stunned and heartbroken. It is such a tragedy, and my thoughts are with his wonderful family in New York at this incredibly difficult time. Mark was the quintessential new age ad man. Sharp, witty, entrepreneurial, and always with a wry smile and glint in his eye as he orchestrated the next deal. He was a friend, mentor, and chair of ACA, during which time he totally transformed the organisation.

“A rare leader, he was fiercely ambitious for creative excellence, entirely devoid of cynicism, and relentlessly committed to the industry that he loved. He led with clarity, genuinely cared for people, and his generosity was boundless. His influence went far beyond his commercial success; he made a lasting difference to our business culture and the people in it.”

Mark is survived by his wife Rachel and their two children, Ari and Gisele.

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