About that second IAA Hall of Fame gala....

Was the excitement off the charts after last year? (here). It was indeed.

First let us start with the inductees:

Faris Abouhamad (IAA Global Chairman and President 2013-17), Alain Brenas (Director of Graphic Arts abd Advertising and the School of Cinema at ALBA), Elie Kai (Founder of MIS), Nabil Kazan (IAA Honorary Life Member), Ramzi Raad (Founder of TBWA\RAAD), Elias Hanna Al Rahbani (Composer), Rafic Saadeh (Founder of Horizons Holdings), Fadi Kalim Salameh (President CEO of MCN Holding), Jean-Pierre Sikias (Founder of Laser Films), Alex Slim (IAA Lebanon Board Member 1995-1997), Raja Trad (Chairman & CEO Publicis Groupe MENA).

I think the organizers learned from some of the issues last year - no neighing horses in videos, no people claiming that the litmus test of the success of an inductee was working with them, and no extremely lengthy speeches from sons who did not mention their inductee father (no names you know who you all are). As a matter of fact, speeches were very short (not even cut with the Oscars orchestra!), totally on point, actually quite emotional (OK, we did not get a redux of Josyane Boulos almost losing it in crying like last year though), and trilingual (Arabic, French, and English but the audience was sophisticated enough to get all of them). One can understand the enormous work the "Council of Judges" had to do (Naji Boulos, Roni Jazzar, Dani Richa, Georges Jabbour, Joe Ayache, and Naji Irani) to cut the possible number inductees as last year there was a backlog.

Of course, last year with the late Walid Azzi and the incredible Farid Chehab being inducted the emotional factor was too high for me. Still, if I am to give one major issue with this year, it would be - believe it or not - the main dish in the menu (that duo filet de boeuf et poulet does not hold a candle to last year's whatever it was "sur pave de saumon"). 

And interestingly, I heard - live during the evening "oh but last year was better", and "oh but this year is way better". So in which camp do I fall?

Considering I am introverted, extremely so actually by nature (don't believe the hype or the image I project), seeing people who knew me when I was incredibly young (hello Hanna!), seeing someone I love dearly (hello Farid!), seeing connections I speak to on the net but never met (hello Krix, George and Rami!), having side meetings to talk shop (hello Ghada, Geoana, and Ali!), seeing IAA members despite them running the show (hello Joe!) and with the help of the - like last year - incredible wine, guess who had a much better time than last year?

Guilty as charged. 

And on to the next year indeed. Just let us fix the main dish haha!

The IAA Hall of Fame, now in its second edition (Save the date)

And there you go, you heard it first from me! The IAA Hall of Fame is back this year in its second edition (and yes, I do wonder how they will top last year's incredibly well-coordinated, super-fine orchestrated, totally well-oiled machine - see it here). This year, and the info just fell - the nominees are: 11 in the advertising field, 1 in the academic/advertising, 1 in media, and 2 in production. 

So indeed "save the date" if last year is any indication the Lebanon chapter of the IAA have raised the bar so high and need to top it, for some reason, I have an inkling they will. And watch this space (already dusting my formal costume!).

IAA Lebanon chapter finally looks where it should be

Well, so the IAA (Lebanese Chapter) is announcing the relaunch of the International Advertising Association Young Professionals chapter. Per their own words: "The IAA YP chapter is dedicated to nurturing and empowering young talents aged below 35, providing them with opportunities for growth, networking, and professional development. To kickstart our relaunch, we are organizing a gathering where attendees will have the chance to learn more about the IAA YP and participate in a Creative Masterclass titled "The 5 C's of Creativity." The participation is free of charge."

Let us be honest, when one says IAA one not think young advertising people, it is more like elderly individuals who already had flourishing careers. Actually at the recent IAA Hall of Fame induction ceremony (here), there were 2 tables for young NDU students - I can think of that student dressed in a suit (not exactly fitting) along with white New Balance sneakers. But I actually looked at them with pride, I mean it is important for them to know the history of communication and advertising. And truth be told, since I moved to the field at the age of 27, I think it would have been crucial for me to have someone tell me a few words about it rather than me rolling my sleeves and do my own digging.

Which is why I am excited the IAA Lebanese Chapter is looking where it ought to be - at the new young generation. As I said previously, too few people from the new breed even know how much they owe to the many many generations that came before them. Many move to Dubai not knowing that there was a crop of ad people who did so when moving there was akin to going to a land which only had the Toyota building as a landmark (here). Heck, in one of my courses (technical English) an assignment was a motivation letter to join Saatchi in their Beirut office and the student wrote "I will help make your company famous" - yes, it is that bad. And yes, all universities are included.

So I am truly glad the IAA is now guiding the new crop of people entering the fray. They need it, believe me.