Digital Signage Federation Announces New Leadership Team Taking Effect January 1, 2026

The Digital Signage Federation (DSF) has announced its new leadership team for 2026, with the change taking effect immediately on January 1, 2026. This announcement, made on December 31, 2025, signals potential shifts in strategic direction that could influence the trajectory of the digital signage industry in the coming year.

Who should care: DOOH network operators, digital signage program managers, ad-tech platform leaders, display technology decision-makers, and out-of-home advertising teams.

What happened?

The Digital Signage Federation, a key organization shaping the digital signage ecosystem, has revealed its leadership lineup for 2026. Although specific names and roles were not disclosed, the leadership transition officially began on January 1, 2026, following the announcement on December 31, 2025. The DSF is widely recognized for setting industry standards, promoting best practices, and advocating on behalf of the digital signage community. Its influence spans technological innovation, regulatory guidance, and market development. This leadership change arrives at a pivotal moment as the industry prepares for ISE2026, one of the largest global events showcasing the latest in digital signage technology and strategy. The new leadership team is expected to play a critical role in steering the DSF’s efforts to address emerging challenges and capitalize on new opportunities. Notably, artificial intelligence continues to gain prominence within digital signage, driving advancements in content personalization, operational efficiency, and audience engagement. The incoming leadership is likely to prioritize the integration of AI-driven solutions, ensuring the DSF remains at the forefront of these transformative trends. This transition may also influence the federation’s approach to collaboration with technology providers, advertisers, and network operators, shaping the future landscape of digital signage.

Why now?

The timing of this leadership change coincides with the industry’s ramp-up to ISE2026, a major event where innovations and strategic directions in digital signage are unveiled and debated. Over the past 18 months, rapid advancements—particularly in AI and data analytics—have reshaped how digital signage content is created, managed, and delivered. By instituting new leadership now, the DSF positions itself to better align with these evolving trends and to proactively guide the industry’s response. This strategic timing suggests an intent to refresh priorities and reinforce the federation’s role as a catalyst for innovation and standardization amid a rapidly changing technological landscape.

So what?

The DSF’s leadership transition carries important implications for the digital signage industry’s future. Strategically, the new leadership could redefine industry standards and advocacy efforts, influencing how digital signage technologies are developed, deployed, and regulated. This may affect everything from hardware specifications to content management protocols and data privacy practices. Operationally, the change could usher in new initiatives focused on integrating emerging technologies—especially AI—to optimize network performance and enhance audience targeting. For stakeholders, staying attuned to these shifts will be essential to maintaining competitive advantage and ensuring compliance with evolving standards. The DSF’s ability to adapt and lead during this period will be critical in sustaining its influence and supporting industry growth.

What this means for you:

• For DOOH network operators: Monitor updates to industry standards and best practices that may impact network design and operations.
• For digital signage program managers: Prepare for potential shifts in strategic focus that could affect content strategies and campaign execution.
• For ad-tech platform leaders: Evaluate how new leadership priorities might accelerate the adoption of AI and other advanced technologies within digital signage solutions.

Quick Hits

• Impact / Risk: Leadership changes may lead to shifts in industry standards and strategic priorities, influencing stakeholders across the digital signage ecosystem.
• Operational Implication: Organizations should anticipate adjustments to strategies and operations to align with new DSF directives and initiatives.
• Action This Week: Review current digital signage strategies for alignment with potential new standards; update executive teams on the leadership change and its possible effects.