Douglas Elliman’s highest-ranking marketing executive is leaving the firm.
As senior vice president of marketing, Dana DeVito spearheaded last year’s multi-million dollar brand campaign, dubbed “It’s Time for Elliman.” She has held the top marketing spot since 2016, when she replaced Nicole Oge, who left Elliman after a two-year marketing blitz.
DeVito’s departure coincides with Elliman’s search for a new chief marketing officer to expand the department on a national level following several acquisitions over the past 12 months. Last summer, Elliman purchased Los Angeles-based Teles and Otis & Ahearn in Boston.
Sources said DeVito was not in line for that job — nor was it in her wheelhouse — though she brought structure to the division after Oge’s departure. Much of Oge’s efforts involved trying to turn the brokerage into a “lifestyle brand.”
In a statement, Elliman president and COO Scott Durkin credited DeVito with planning an “array of exceptional experiential events” for the company.
DeVito could not be reached for comment.
Twitter account @nycregossip first made note of DeVito’s departure.
A former executive at Conde Nast, DeVito joined Elliman in 2015. Previously, she was brand development director for Conde Nast Traveler. She’d also held marketing jobs at Vogue, W, Domino and Vanity Fair. She came to Elliman as vice president of Elliman Experience.
Although Elliman at first seemed to be reining in its flashier branding initiatives under DeVito, the firm launched another marketing push last year. “It’s Time for Elliman” includes television spots, print and digital advertising, billboards and event sponsorships.
“This is going to reach 750 million people — from outdoor to print to digital to social,” DeVito said last year. “We’ve been scouring the country and making sure that if you’re not aware of Douglas Elliman, you will soon become aware.”