4As IAAS Western Region 2026

Calling All Agency Emerging Leaders!

The 4As Western Region is thrilled to open registration for this year’s IAAS program. The Institute of Advanced Advertising Studies (IAAS) is a comprehensive, multi-week program designed for talented professionals with 1-5 years of experience. You’ll team up with fellow creatives, strategists, media, and account leads to develop a campaign for a live client brief – and compete to win the pitch!

Get ready for 11 weeks of intensive collaboration, creativity, and training. You’ll tackle a real-world challenge for a major brand (past clients include Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority, Taco Bell, Kia, and Corona) and get the chance to showcase your skills in a thrilling competition.

New for 2026: AI prompts and assistants for each instructional session to supercharge and accelerate the process of making. Our most recent IAAS program received an impressive 9.67 (out of 10) rating from participants on whether they’d recommend it to their coworkers. We’re aiming for a perfect 10 this year and believe our teams can get to better work faster with enhanced AI integration into their work.

IAAS is where you’ll learn from the best, collaborate with the brightest, and level up your career. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity!

Deadline to register: Wednesday, January 14, 2026

What is IAAS?

• It’s the Institute of Advanced Advertising Studies, the top professional development program for rising stars in your agency!
• 11 weeks of training (one night per week).
• You’ll tackle real-world client issues.
• Exciting competition to see who comes up with the best solution to a genuine client challenge.

What’s in it for You?

• Learn from the best: Get fresh perspectives from industry experts in key areas of advertising.
• Level up your skills: Learn how to organize, prepare, and deliver a winning advertising pitch.
• Collaborate with your peers: Work closely with peers who specialize in complementary areas of advertising. Network with other talented young professionals from different agencies.
• Accelerate your career: Gain real-world experience and learn best practices from seasoned pros.
• Get noticed: Showcase your skills and make a name for yourself in the industry.

Who Should Attend?

• Promising agency professionals with 1-5 years of experience.
• All disciplines welcome: Creative, media, research, planning, strategy, account management, analytics, CX, social, and mobile.

Course Curriculum

• Understanding the consumer, brand, and competitive landscape

• Strategic planning

• Creative development: Crafting a big idea, then bringing it to life

• Media strategies  impact

• Presenting a tightly integrated plan; Pitching for the WIN

How Does it Work?

• Classes most Tuesday evenings from February 11, 2026 – May 8, 2026
• 11 week (virtual + 2 in-person mandatory sessions: February 10 for kick-off and May 5 & 6 for final presentations

• Teamwork: You’ll be part of a team of 5-6 people from different disciplines and different agencies.
• Final presentation: Pitch your ideas to the client and a panel of judges!

Registration Deadline: January 31st!

Pricing:

• 4A’s Members: $1,200 for the first participant, $1,100 for the second, $1,000 for each additional.
• Non-Members: $1,500 per participant.

Register now and get ready to take your skills to the next level!

Questions?
Registration: Contact Reba Baum | [email protected] | (212) 850-0789

Program Director/Logistics: Mike Margolin, IAAS Director | [email protected]