Dentsu Creative Welcomes Era of Transformative Creativity

Dentsu has today announced two new leaders, to deliver global and local connectivity across its Creative business and drive growth for clients, with Abbey Klaassen named global brand president for Dentsu Creative, and Phil Gaughran as president, global creative product, growth and strategy for dentsu.

Abbey will continue to lead in her role as Dentsu Creative US CEO, while also working in partnership with Yasu Sasaki, dentsu’s global chief creative officer and creative practice lead, to serve clients on a global basis and create synergy at a market, regional and global level. Phil will be responsible for business growth, product offerings for clients, as well as articulating business strategy and positioning in the market. Together they will work towards enhanced cohesion between Dentsu Creative and dentsu’s production arm, Tag Worldwide, to unlock new value for clients, as well as champion data, tech and AI adoption across the Creative practice. 

The announcement coincides with Dentsu Creative launching a new go-to-market positioning, Transformative Creativity. Designed to unlock exponential growth for clients, Transformative Creativity is a differentiating, driving force that brings together the agency network’s capabilities to positively impact people, businesses and society. This follows dentsu revealing its new brand vision, Innovating to Impact, in May this year, positioning dentsu as an integrated growth and transformation partner to clients.

Abbey has worked at dentsu for over 10 years, playing a critical role in bringing together 10 of its US agencies, including 360i and McGarryBowen to launch Dentsu Creative in 2022. Under her leadership Dentsu Creative US was named as an Ad Age 2024 A-List ‘Standout Agency’, and appointed as the lead creative agency for T-Mobile and Lowes early this year. 

Phil Gaughran has worked at dentsu for 14 years and has been key to fostering cross-practice growth and realizing the One Dentsu vision. Originally a strategist, he most recently acted as corporate strategy officer for Dentsu Americas.

Jean Lin, group president, global practices, Dentsu Group Inc said, “These appointments reinforce dentsu’s commitment to seamlessly serving creative clients across the global, and to harness the incredible talent of our teams around the world under inspiring and unified leadership. Abbey and Phil are a formidable pair, who lead with energy, wisdom and kindness. There’s been strong new business momentum within Dentsu Creative US under their watch, and I have every confidence in Abbey and Phil’s leadership to maintain this momentum in both the US and globally”. 

Yasu Sasaki, global chief creative officer, dentsu, “Abbey and Phil are trusted and admired leaders, as well as valued partners to me and our clients. Our Transformative Creativity mission is in safe hands with them, to drive exponential growth that positively impacts people, businesses and society.”

Abbey Klaassen, global brand president, Dentsu Creative said, “The launch of Transformative Creativity is an important moment for Dentsu Creative, cementing our brand positioning and differentiation on a global scale. In this role I’m excited and energised to work with our talent across markets to fuel client growth and impact culture and society through the power of creativity."

Phil Gaughran, president, global creative product, growth and strategy, dentsu said, “Helping to shape the next chapter of dentsu’s creative businesses, alongside our talented creative, strategy and product teams from around the world, is hugely rewarding. It’s my job to further integrate and innovate in the way we serve our clients and their brands, and I look forward to celebrating the work and achievements that the future promises.”