The 4A’s will host its 23rd annual strategy festival, StratFest, on October 9-11 at Convene at 32 Old Slip in New York City. This year’s conference will mark the 50th anniversary since the planning discipline was first introduced to the advertising industry.

On August 6-10, 2018, the 4A’s hosted its eighth annual The Face of Talent, recognizing and celebrating a diverse group of aspiring advertising hopefuls from across the 4A’s diversity and inclusion initiatives, along with educators and agency leaders who advocate and champion diversity across the marketing communications industry. It marked the first time the weeklong series of events took place under the banner of the 4A’s Foundation, which recently brought together programs including the Multicultural Advertising Intern Program (MAIP) and its alumni association, the 4A’s scholarship & grant program, and its high school initiatives, including two New York City–based public high schools: the High School for Innovation in Advertising and Media (IAM) and the Manhattan Early College School for Advertising (MECA).

The 4A’s, the leading trade organization for marketing communication agencies, today announced several notable shifts and appointments to its board of directors. Effective immediately, Sharon Napier, CEO of Partners + Napier, has moved from board secretary/treasurer to the co-vice chair role left vacant last year by Greg Stern, following the BSSP CEO’s appointment to 4A’s chairman. Christine Fruechte, CEO of Colle McVoy, replaces Napier as secretary/treasurer.