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AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ADVERTISING AGENCIES

NEW YORK, NY · EIN 131621786 · Form 990 · FY2024 · Large ($10M-$50M) · aaaa.org
revenue
$19.6M
expenses
$19.9M
net assets
$7.0M
employees
70
mission · from form 990

WE CHAMPION AGENCIES, FOSTER TALENT & DRIVE INNOVATION (SEE SCHEDULE O)

profile · synthesized from sources

Trade association representing advertising agencies in the United States, focused on advancing the industry through talent development, advocacy, and innovation. Provides member agencies with resources including professional development, research, and policy representation. Operates programs to strengthen agency capabilities and promote inclusive, future-ready practices across the sector.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $0
    SEE SCHEDULE O
  2. #2 $0
    SEE SCHEDULE O
named programs · 6 · from sources

What they call their work

4As Coaching for Growth
Professional coaching program designed to enhance performance and leadership skills within member agencies
4As Training Subscription Plan
Curated training programs for agency staff at all levels, covering leadership, account management, and creative development
4As.4sight Podcast
Podcast series exploring trends in creative, technology, and client-agency relationships with industry consultants and leaders
Building Talent Through Belonging
Resource initiative promoting inclusive language and neurodiversity in agency hiring and team development
Face of Talent MAIP Graduation
Event and initiative supporting diversity in advertising by showcasing graduates of the Multicultural Advertising Intern Program
I’m New Here
Community and mentorship program for professionals new to agency careers, offering peer connections and career guidance
activities · 9 groups

What they do

  • Industry Advocacy and Regulatory Engagement 1 activity
    • Advocacy for advertising industry policy interests
      Engages with federal, state, and local policymakers to advocate for the advertising agency community, providing guidance on legislation and compliance related to privacy, tax, employment policy, and other legal issues. Operates a Washington office to support these efforts.
  • Professional Certification and Continuing Education 1 activity
    • Capacity building and professional development for member agencies
      Provides member agencies with access to professional development programs, including webinars, workshops, certification, and training through the 4As Learning Institute and Learning Management System. Offers curated learning plans, skill enhancement, and career development opportunities for agency talent at all levels.
  • Union and Association Benefit Funds 1 activity
    • Design and management of member benefits and insurance programs
      Designs, manages, and negotiates exclusive benefits and insurance programs for member agencies, including health, dental, vision, workers’ compensation, and 401(k) retirement plans. Guarantees savings on certain plans and provides dividend returns through captive insurance programs.
  • Workplace DEI Research and Training 1 activity
    • Diversity, equity, and inclusion programs
      Operates programs to improve diversity in advertising agencies, including scholarships, awards, and guidance on building neuroinclusive teams using inclusive language and mentorship structures.
  • Professional Association Capacity Building 1 activity
    • Industry partnership and engagement services
      Provides partner representatives with speaking opportunities, event access, content distribution, and executive meetings to foster collaboration between partners and member agencies.
  • Membership Program Administration 1 activity
    • Membership intake and governance
      Conducts a formal review process for membership applications, requiring completion of a formal application form and providing ongoing governance for member agencies.
  • Nonprofit Capacity Building Services 1 activity
    • Membership support and business operations consulting
      Provides consultative and complimentary services to member agencies on finance, operations, business development, project management, staffing, diversity and inclusion, leadership, and mergers and acquisitions. Supports agencies in addressing critical business issues through access to staff, tools, and information resources.
  • Industry Research and Benchmarking 1 activity
    • Research and thought leadership publication
      Co-authors, publishes, and distributes research reports, white papers, and thought leadership content on topics including advertising’s economic impact, ESG frameworks, sustainability, and consumer insights. Provides members with custom research and business trend analysis.
  • Global Sustainability Convenings & Forums 1 activity
    • Sustainability and environmental responsibility initiatives
      Supports member agencies in achieving environmental sustainability through research dissemination, development of RFP questions, implementation tactics based on sustainability guides, and hosting summits. Participates in global initiatives like Ad Net Zero and provides guidance on eco-labeling and regulatory considerations.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$19.58M
Contributions & grants$00%
Program service revenue$15.45M79%
Investment income$1.98M10%
Other revenue$2.15M
expenses
Total expenses$19.92M
Program expenses
Admin / overhead
Fundraising
Salaries & benefits$13.10M
Grants paid out$25K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$21.75M
Cash$5.10M
Investments$9.80M
Liabilities$14.75M
Net assets$6.99M
Liquid reserves9.0 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +0.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 17
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
MARLA KAPLOWITZ PRESIDENT & CEO 40 $1.02M
ADAM COTUMACCIO CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER 45 $487K
ASHWINI KARANDIKAR EVP MEDIA, TECH & DATA 45 $451K
MOLLIE ROSEN EVP STRATEGY, INSIGHT, INNOVATION 45 $448K
ALISON PEPPER EVP GOVERNMENT RELATIONS 45 $422K
ANN RUBIN EVP, MARKETING, COMM. & EVENTS 45 $405K
JUAN C SUAREZ EVP MED HOLDING COMPANIES & GROWTH 45 $371K
JAMES O'DONNELL EVP FINANCE & TREASURER 45 $328K
NICOLE RIZZO SVP, BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE & INSIGHT 45 $284K
MATTHEW KASINDORF SVP, BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE & INSIGHT 45 $276K
KEVIN FREEMORE SVP MEDIA, TECH & DATA 45 $275K
CATHY BUTLER AS OF 0224 EVP, TALENT, EQUITY & LEAR. SOLUTIONS 45 $267K
GREGORY WALKER THRU 0624 EVP MED INDEP. AGENCIES & RETENTION 45 $245K
SEAN MCGLADE SVP, PROFESSIONAL & ORG DESIGN 45 $245K
ANDREW GOLDSMITH SVP, MEMBER ENG. & DEVEL. SOLUTIONS 45 $239K
RUPA RAMAN VP MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS 45 $177K
KIRA LACKS VP, EVENTS & CONFERENCES 45 $171K
board members · 8
  • AARON WALTON — WESTERN REGION DIRECTOR
  • ABBEY KLAASSEN — CHAIR (AS OF 04/24)
  • AMBER GUILD — DIRECTOR AT LARGE
  • ANDREW GRAFF — SECRETARY/TREASURER (AS OF 04/24)
  • ANGELA STEELE — DIRECTOR AT LARGE (THRU 04/24)
  • ANGELA TENUTA — CENTRAL REGION DIRECTOR
  • BARRY WACKSMAN — IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR (THRU 04/24)
  • CHANNING MARTIN — DIRECTOR AT LARGE (AS OF 01/25)
relationships · 21

Who they work with

  • 350 MEMBER COMPANIES Network — Organization provides services to approximately 350 member companies in the advertising industry.
  • 4As Benefits Network — Entity that designs and manages benefits and insurance programs for 4As member agencies.
  • 4As Benefits Partner — For-profit sister organization that designs and manages benefits and insurance programs exclusively for 4As members.
  • 4As Board of Directors Partner — Responsible for electing new member agencies after review of qualifications.
  • 4As Board of Directors Partner — Responsible for electing new members to the 4As following staff review.
  • 4As Board of Directors Partner — Reviews and considers agency applications for membership.
  • 4As Foundation Network — Subsidiary organization focused on diversity programs, scholarships, and awards in the advertising industry.
  • 4As Learning Institute Partner — Provides professional training programs in partnership with the 4As.
  • ANA Partner — Collaborated on research and advocacy initiatives related to the advertising industry.
  • Allen & Gerritsen Partner — Member agency named PR Agency of Record for Appalachian Mountain Club.
  • BCH Agency Partner — Member agency running campaign for Kentucky Lottery and Kentucky Humane Society.
  • BlueCross BlueShield Partner — Provides fully insured medical solutions through a PEO partner for 4As member agencies.
  • Global Alliance for Responsible Media Partner — Collaborated with GARM to distill sustainability action guide takeaways and develop implementation resources for member agencies.
  • Integral Ad Science Partner — Member agency featured in news about executive appointment.
  • MPW Marketing Partner — Formerly named member agency now operating as Trust & Proof.
  • Netsuite Partner — Partner organization associated with Oracle, present at events and referenced in professional programming contexts.
  • Non-Agency Partner Members Partner — Organizations that collaborate with the 4As through formal partnership memberships, receiving benefits such as co-publishing, speaking opportunities, and access to events.
  • Oracle Partner — Partner organization featured in event imagery with branding visible during a professional presentation.
  • Response Marketing Partner — Formerly named member agency now operating as StayGold.
  • The Advertising Coalition Partner — Co-supported research on the economic impact of advertising.
  • regional rep Partner — Facilitates access to expert consultants for member agencies.
strategies · 5

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Capacity Building via Shared Resources and Expert Access
    methodology: capacity_building_through_shared_resources
    By providing shared services, on-demand experts, and consultant referrals, member agencies gain access to capabilities they could not afford independently, thereby increasing their operational resilience and strategic capacity because pooled resources lower barriers to high-cost expertise.
  • Collaborative Knowledge Exchange Across Specialties
    methodology: collaborative_industry_forums
    By convening professionals through forums, councils, and committees, the organization enables cross-agency learning and alignment because structured collaboration fosters innovation, shared standards, and collective problem-solving in a fragmented industry.
  • Diversity, Inclusion, and Talent Development as Strategic Levers
    methodology: diversity_and_inclusion_talent_development
    By advancing diversity, inclusion, and talent development—through inclusive language, neurodiversity support, and career advancement—the organization strengthens the industry’s human capital pipeline because equitable practices expand talent pools and improve innovation and representation.
  • Industry Advancement through Advocacy and Innovation
    methodology: industry_advancement_through_advocacy_and_innovation
    By advocating for the advertising industry and promoting innovation, the organization advances agency interests and drives sector-wide progress because policy influence and forward-thinking practices create a more favorable operating environment and foster competitive advantage.
  • Sustainability Integration through Operational Tools and Compliance Guidance
    methodology: sustainability_integration_via_tools
    By translating sustainability guidelines into procurement tools and compliance frameworks, agencies can operationalize environmental responsibility in media planning and client work because practical toolkits bridge the gap between regulatory expectations and day-to-day execution.