GALE Announces New Leadership

Business Agency GALE has announced new leadership, elevating two of its long-time senior executives, Andrew Noel and Sophia Zhang, to CEO of global and CEO of North America, respectively. The new appointments come after GALE’s founding CEO Brad Simms announced his retirement last month.

“Brad was integral to GALE’s success and we wish him well in this next chapter,” said Andrew, one of GALE’s co-founders. “As we take the baton, Sophia and I are excited to build on the agency’s well-established legacy, emphasising the disruptive approach and innovations that have made it one of the industry’s most-awarded agencies.” 

Andrew and Sophia, who have been with GALE for a decade, will continue driving the agency's status as a leader in modern marketing, doubling down on its strategic advisory offering, further enhancing its industry-leading technology, Alchemy.Ai, and fostering a continued emphasis on driving real business growth for its clients. 

“GALE’s culture of great people, great clients, and great work is one that we care about deeply,” said Sophia. “The value we bring as a Business Agency is more critical than ever and will define our future success as we set the standard for excellence across creativity, strategy, and technology.”

As global and North America CEOs, Andrew and Sophia will co-lead the agency’s strategic vision and direction, expanding on a close partnership established in their previously held roles of Managing Partners. Both will maintain close oversight of client services and advisory, and have been integral in agency, client, and employee decision-making for several years. 

Over the past few years, GALE has experienced unprecedented growth, earning accolades including Ad Age’s A-List, Ad Age’s Data & Analytics Agency of the Year, Adweek’s Fastest Growing Agencies, Adweek’s Breakthrough Media Agency of the Year, and Campaign US’ Advertising Agency of the Year. It is also currently shortlisted for Campaign US’ Digital Innovation Agency of the Year.

"I see a bright future for GALE's next chapter under Sophia and Andrew's leadership,” shared chairman and CEO of Stagwell Mark Penn. “GALE sits at the forefront of modern marketing, and I feel confident the agency will continue to drive strong client outcomes across creative and media ecosystems under their leadership."