Abbey Klaassen

CEO, Dentsu Creative U.S.

Abbey Klaassen is U.S. CEO of Dentsu Creative (DC), a global creative network that transforms brands through the power of Modern Creativity. As Chief Executive Officer, Abbey’s vision for the U.S. market reflects a deep commitment to its 1,400 creative minds, driving growth and transformation for a strategic client portfolio and pursuing bold and focused innovation that continuously elevates Dentsu Creative’s reputation in the industry. Abbey is a member of the DC Global Leadership Team and the Dentsu Americas Executive Leadership Team.

Prior to her appointment, Abbey was New York President, Dentsu Creative, where she built and grew relationships with some of the world’s largest companies, including leading entertainment, CPG, travel, retail, and B2B clients. Before the creation of Dentsu Creative as a single agency focused on transformation brands and businesses through creativity, Abbey was New York president of dentsu’s 360i, an award-winning digitally led agency. In that role, Abbey was responsible for incubating new capabilities, building the agency’s culture, and helping clients capitalize on change. 

Abbey joined the agency world after a decade and a half in journalism, including a decade at Ad Age, five of those years as Editor in Chief. Under her leadership, Ad Age earned multiple awards for business journalism excellence. 

A respected people advocate and client leader, Abbey is passionate about equity in advertising and the impact of marketing and advertising on business. She serves the industry as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for the 4A’s and is a past board VP of New York Women in Communications Inc. In 2019 she was inducted into the American Advertising Federation’s prestigious Advertising Hall of Achievement and in 2013 was named a WICI Award winner, honoring rising stars in communications.

Abbey is a proud graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, has run the NYC Marathon (twice!) to raise money for Brooklyn’s Community Roots School, loves to garden, cook, and work on her golf game.