AAA history in brief AAA's foundation

Recording the history of advertising and its evolution in Lebanon since 1935 incorporated statements mainly printed in specialized publications as well as interviews conducted with authorities in the advertising industry.

History tells us that:
"Late Fouad Pharaon, owner of Publicité Pharaon, stands out as the pioneer of advertising in Lebanon. Pharaon's prominence came about through his ability to create proper and solid advertising agencies, as early as 1935 he introduced practices and regulations that proved invaluable to the business. In his own right Pharaon became one of the founders of the Advertising Agencies' Association (AAA) which was founded on October 12, 1959 by Decree No. 230 issued by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs."

AAA's objectives

1. To protect the industry and raise its overall standing.
2. To safeguard the interests of its members and to create a common bond among them.
3. To develop a mutually beneficial relationship with other professional and official associations.

AAA's founding meeting

The AAA held its founding meeting on December 13, 1960 at the Bristol Hotel in Beirut; 16 advertising agencies were represented. The first elected executive committee consisted of: Mouhamad Choucair as President and Theodore Sarrouf, Fouad Pharaon, Mukhtar Shamli, Philippe Hitti, and Fayez Sultan as members. Rene Trad, Fouad Pharaon, Theodore Sarraf, Jean Rizk, Henry Younan, Mukhtar Shamli, Chafic Hadaya, and Samir Majdalani served their respective terms as presidents.

The first executive committee of the Advertising Agencies Association AAA (courtesy of Arab Ad)
From left to right are: Philippe Hitti, Mokhtar Shamli, Fouad Pharaon, Theodore Sarrouf Mouhammed Choucair, Afif Al Tibi, Zouhair Ousairan, Fayez Sultan, and Georges Omeira .