The IAA ( International Advertising Association) Lebanon Chapter crowned 50 golden years of success in the advertising industry by launching the book ‘Lebanon Communicating – 50 years of history and achievements’ during a cocktail evening held on January 27, at Palais Maillot.

The anniversary ceremony gathered more than 400 professionals and was an opportunity to pay tribute to 17 past presidents who headed the Lebanon chapter since 1961, in an exceptional and cheerful evening hosted by the master of ceremony Michel Abou Sleimane.

The cocktail evening was followed by a press conference held on February 1 at the syndicate of advertising agencies. The IAA Lebanon chapter’s president and members of the board presented the book and highlighted the role of the association and its role during the last 50 years.

The 232 page book recounts the past 50 years of the IAA Lebanon Chapter, from its inception in 1961, through the golden age, the war years, the period of reconstruction, and the new millennium up to the present day. This history of the IAA and by extension advertising and media communications in Lebanon has been retraced directly from those who have lived this era and witnessed the incredible changes and events of the past five decades.

It is a testimony to the resilience of the Lebanese in the face of the many challenges they have been confronted with, finding ever new and creative ways to survive and remain proactive in every aspect of their lives.

‘We hope this book will be an essential tool for all advertising professionals and students. It is the legacy of the pioneers and admen who developed the advertising industry during the last 50 years, which led us to our current expansion’, said IAA President Naji Boulos. The book was published by NMS under the direction of Nadim Zahar, and written and edited by Rosemary Abdallah.

The book is on sale now at the IAA office and major bookstores.