The American Marketing Association today announced the appointment of Russ Klein as its CEO. He replaces Dennis Dunlap, who will retire after 15 years at the helm.
Klein brings to the job wide experience in consumer markets, having served as CMO of Burger King, 7-Eleven, Dr Pepper/7Up, and most recently at Arby’s. A winner of a Titanium Lion at Cannes who is recognized as a pioneer in merging digital methods with traditional broadcast media, he is also known as a fixer who helped revitalize fading businesses acquired by private equity firms such as Bain, Goldman Sachs, and TPG. His agency experience includes stints at Leo Burnett and Foote Cone & Belding.
Having launched new brands in China, Klein will be counted on to lead AMA’s mission to expand its operations internationally. “This was a global search, in every sense of the word, and SpencerStuart did an exceptional job in identifying candidates worldwide,” said Rob Malcolm, chairman-elect of the AMA board of directors.
Klein’s naming is also a torch-passing of sorts. “I was involved in hiring Russ at Leo Burnett 30 years ago and nothing could be more poetic than to be part of his selection to succeed me at the AMA,” said Dunlap, who will leave his post on Aug. 11.
