Several advertising agencies are reconsidering their memberships in the American Association of Advertising Agencies as they seek to makes cuts because of shrinking revenues and fears of a looming recession, AdAge reported Monday.

Among the agencies reportedly debating leaving 4A's is McCann Worldwide, which currently pays $250,000 annually in dues, the industry publication reported, citing anonymous sources. McCann and other members are beginning to question the worth of the association and its role as a public defender of the industry.

"Our industry is facing a series of major issues where we naturally look to our associations to take the lead in addressing them," McCann CEO Harris Diamond told AdAge, although he declined to confirm whether the agency was debating parting ways with 4A's.

The New York City-based 4A's has more than 700 agency members and reported revenues of $18 million in 2018. Greg Stern, chair of 4A's board of directors, said talks of leaving the group may be a negotiating tactic as 4A's plans to launch its membership renewal season at the start of 2020. http://bit.ly/2OqMQv8

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