The president and CEO of the 4As reflects on the changes reshaping US advertising and how the 108-year-old trade body must adapt to stay relevant.
When Justin Thomas-Copeland took the stage at Cannes Lions in June 2025, newly installed as president and CEO of the 4As, he stood out – not just for his imposing presence and London accent, but for the calm clarity with which he laid out the scale of change the ad industry was facing.
Seven months later, that change has only accelerated.
“The first few months… have been really staying closely connected to the dynamic of the industry,” he tells The Drum. “And then using it as a platform for our relevance as the 4As to be brought to the fore in different ways.”
