Decisions 2026 | Washington, D.C.
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Influence. Messaging. Action. The Rules Are Changing.
Venue
Venable LLP
600 Massachusetts Ave NW,
Washington, DC 20001
FREE for 4As Members
Non-Members: $100 for the first attendee; $50 for each additional attendee from the same agency
Whether you’re in the business of persuading consumers to buy, voters to go to the polls or policymakers to vote a certain way, one thing is increasingly clear: there’s no playbook anymore. The rapid convergence of an increasingly disgruntled, skeptical population with the advent of AI, analytics and influencers means that it’s harder than ever for companies to get the right message to the right person at the right moment.
While the ongoing arranged marriage between Madison Avenue and Silicon Valley is not without its friction, together, they’re coming-up with adaptive and evolving ways to keep the communications lines open.
Join us in Washington, DC for a first-of-its-kind 4As Decisions where we focus on pairing best-in-class technology with timeless emotional insight to help you deliver results for your clients. Explore the strategies and tools you need to navigate a new environment where the audience is more skeptical than ever of what you have to say, and the mediums for reaching them have never been more complicated.
Time
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Registration and Check-In
10:30 AM
Opening Remarks
Justin Thomas-Copeland, CEO, 4As
10:40 AM
Opening Keynote: The Next Agency Playbook
11:05 AM - 12:00 PM
Featured Presentations
Building the Innovation Engine: Technology-Driven Business Models & Innovation in Media
As emerging technologies reshape how audiences consume and interact with content, media organizations must evolve to stay relevant and competitive.
This session explores how agencies, creators and platforms are leveraging tools like live streaming, immersive storytelling, VR/AR and mobile-first formats to drive engagement and growth. We will also examine how cross-sector partnerships between media, technology and policy stakeholders can foster responsible, sustainable innovation in a fast-changing digital landscape.
More Sessions to Come
12:10 PM - 12:50 PM
Lunch
12:50 PM - 2:30 PM
Featured Presentations
Data Policy Meets Platform Regulation
Innovation is moving fast — and so is the demand for accountability. Around the world, regulators and policymakers are redefining what it means to be responsible in the digital age, setting new standards for platform governance, competition, data privacy and ad tech transparency.
Join industry leaders and policy experts as we dive into the high-stakes intersection of technology, regulation and public trust. From protecting children online to safeguarding digital rights and freedom of expression, this session unpacks the real-world challenges shaping the future of media and advertising. We’ll also explore how new data policies — from first- and third-party frameworks to anonymized insights — are transforming audience engagement, rebuilding trust and fueling the next wave of responsible innovation.
Strengthening Trust and Integrity in Media Ecosystems
In an era of accelerating technological change and rising misinformation, sustaining public trust has become both a strategic and ethical imperative for media organizations. This session explores how the media, data and technology ecosystem participants can strengthen integrity through transparent governance, responsible innovation and accountability. The discussion will include emerging frameworks for managing synthetic media and deepfakes, building oversight standards and ensuring credibility in AI-driven content environments. We’ll also examine how evolving business models — shaped by shifts in distribution, monetization and creation — can support a more resilient, trustworthy media ecosystem.
More Sessions to Come
2:30 PM - 2:50 PM
Break
2:50 PM - 3:45 PM
Featured Presentations
Decoding the Algorithm: Taking Back the New Public Square
Master the algorithmic public square. Learn how digital platforms amplify or silence voices, then apply frameworks for building authentic influence with your consumers. You'll walk away with strategies to navigate algorithmic visibility, identify what drives virality versus credibility and lead responsibly when platforms—not people—set the agenda. Discover how to compete for attention without compromising integrity, decode the mechanics behind viral moments and build sustainable influence in an environment where algorithms control the conversation.
More Sessions to Come
3:45 PM - 4:15 PM
Closing Keynote and Closing Remarks
4:15 PM - 5:15 PM
