The International Advertising Association (IAA) Young Professionals – a subsidiary of IAA Lebanon Chapter, organized an Advertising Career Orientation Session at Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU) Main Campus on November 13, 2024. The event aimed to provide valuable insights into career opportunities in advertising and brought together students and industry professionals for an engaging and inspiring session.
A series of talks were delivered by prominent industry experts: Rayane Abou Jaoude – Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist at OMG MENA; Jean Marc Nammour – Talent Acquisition Specialist at OMG MENA; Mohamad Chehab – Partnerships Manager at ArabyAds; Zahy Adass – Ecommerce Specialist at PharmaGroup Holding; Perla Bou Farhat – Marketing Executive at Addmind; and Elie Chami – Creative Director at its.communications. Each speaker shared their specific experiences and guidance with attendees eager to learn about the dynamic field of advertising from various perspectives.
The session covered a broad spectrum of advertising topics, including ecommerce, marketing and business strategies, account management, art direction, and talent acquisition. Students expressed concerns about the state of the advertising industry in Lebanon and were keen to learn about emerging advertising media trends. Amid an economic crisis and a rapidly evolving industry, the experts encouraged adaptability, digital expertise, and networking to thrive in such a competitive field.
The event was co-organized by Samir Mehanna (President of IAA Young Professionals), Melhem Rechdan (Board Member at IAA Lebanon Chapter), and Rima Saad (Advertising Instructor at NDU), whose efforts facilitated meaningful interaction among students and professionals.
The IAA Young Professionals Lebanon Chapter continues to foster connections between academia and the advertising industry, equipping students with the tools and knowledge to pursue successful careers in advertising. Held annually, this session’s success has motivated speakers and organizers to consider hosting more frequent events in the future to keep inspiring and guiding the next creative generation.