My name is Anastasia Vaccaro and I am General Counsel at dentsu responsible for all legal matters in the Benelux. I have a background in both private practice and in-house roles, with a particular focus on IP, advertising, technology and commercial law. My career has taken me across various industries, but what has always driven me is a passion for working in and building strong, collaborative teams and finding creative solutions to complex problems.
Dentsu is a media, marketing and communication network with offices in more than 100 countries. Our mission is to innovate the way brands connect with people. The media industry is in full swing and dentsu is at the forefront of the developments. Through constant innovation, we explore new ways to reach, engage and nurture relationships between advertisers and their audiences. In the Benelux, we work with a wide range of clients in various industries, including retail and consumer goods, financial services and automotive. We create and produce advertising campaigns, advice clients on the best ways how to reach their target audiences, purchase media space and provide seamless customer experience. At dentsu, we believe in the power of collaboration and diversity – values that resonate deeply with me, both professionally and personally.
The Legal Team
Although the legal and compliance team of dentsu globally is over 200 people, our Benelux legal team is fairly lean. With just the three of us (and the ever-present assistance of a legal intern) we have a great mix of different talents, backgrounds and perspectives. We support a broad spectrum of legal matters – from commercial contracts and data privacy to intellectual property and regulatory compliance. Hot topics on our agenda include the ever-changing landscape of digital advertising regulations, genAI, data protection, and the integration of new products and technologies into our business. Diversity is a core strength of our team; we bring together people from various cultures, legal expertises and walks of life, which not only enriches our work but also makes for a lively and supportive working environment.
Challenges
As General Counsel, one of my biggest challenges is balancing the need for legal certainty with the fast-paced, innovative spirit of our business. It’s a bit like gardening in the Dutch climate: you have to be prepared for sudden changes, adapt quickly, and sometimes get your hands dirty to keep things going! For the team, the challenge is often about staying ahead of regulatory developments, especially in areas like genAI, data protection and digital media, while also being a true business partner. We strive to be seen not just as the “department of no,” but as enablers – helping the business to flourish while managing risk in a pragmatic way.
Legal Operations & Technology
Legal operations and technology are very much at the heart of how we work. We’re always looking for ways to weed out inefficiencies and adopt new tools that help us work smarter, not harder. Whether it’s implementing contract management systems (with LawVu), automating routine tasks (with Copilot), or document drafting and review (with Harvey), we see technology as a key enabler for our team and the business. It allows us to focus our energy on the more strategic, value-adding aspects of our work.
Moestuin lessons
Outside of work, you’ll most likely find me in the garden (moestuin!), knuckles deep in the soil. Gardening is my way of unwinding and reconnecting with nature – it’s both a creative outlet and a source of endless learning (and sometimes, a lesson in patience). I love the rhythm of the seasons, the satisfaction of nurturing something from seed to harvest, and the occasional surprise when something unexpected pops up. Whether I’m tending to my plants or hiking in the countryside, being outdoors gives me fresh perspective and energy that I bring back to my work. Plus, I find that many of the lessons from the garden – resilience, adaptability, and the importance of diversity – apply just as well in the legal world as they do among the tomatoes.
