MONTREAL, Sept. 22, 2026 /CNW/ -- Fifty years after NATIONAL was founded in Montreal by Luc Beauregard, NATIONAL and AVENIR GLOBAL mark their 50^th anniversary today.

Founded in 1976, NATIONAL has grown over the decades to become a firm with a presence across Canada. At the same time, the group brought together under AVENIR GLOBAL has expanded internationally and today comprises nine brands and nearly 1,000 employees in 22 cities across Canada, the United States, Europe and the Middle East.

Over the past five decades, NATIONAL's teams have advised organizations across a wide range of sectors on economic, social and institutional issues that have shaped the evolution of Quebec and Canada.

Since the beginning of 2026, NATIONAL and AVENIR GLOBAL have been marking this anniversary through a variety of initiatives involving their teams, clients and partners. Among the highlights, several hundred clients, partners, employees and friends of the Firm gathered at the Montreal head office on April 29 to celebrate the occasion together.

"Today, as we officially celebrate our 50^th anniversary, we are first and foremost grateful for the trust our clients, partners and teams have placed in us over the past five decades. This anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate how far we have come, but above all, to reaffirm our commitment to helping organizations see clearly and make the right decisions in an ever-changing world. It is with this same ambition that we begin our next 50 years," said Martin Daraiche, President of NATIONAL and Managing Partner of the Montreal office.

"As we celebrate our 50^th anniversary, we are proud to show that a company deeply rooted in Quebec can have an impact far beyond its borders. By combining our roots, our entrepreneurial spirit and a long-term vision, we have built a world-class communications group. Drawing on these foundations, we will continue to grow and invest in the talent and expertise that will make a difference for our clients," said Jean-Pierre Vasseur, President and Chief Executive Officer of AVENIR GLOBAL.

About AVENIR GLOBAL

AVENIR GLOBAL is a Montreal-based holding and management company with an active operations mindset and a hands-on approach to all its investments. A global powerhouse of specialist communications firms, AVENIR GLOBAL has close to 1,000 staff and offices in 22 locations across Canada, the U.S., Europe and the Middle East, and ranks among the top 25 largest communication firms in the world.  In Canada, AVENIR GLOBAL owns NATIONAL Public Relations, the country's leading public relations firm with nine offices from coast to coast; and Time & Space, a leading media strategy, planning, execution, and insights agency. In the United States, AVENIR GLOBAL owns the integrated communication agency SHIFT Communications; and the public relations and communication company Padilla, which includes the brand consultancy Joe Smith and the food and nutrition affairs experts at FoodMinds. In Europe, AVENIR GLOBAL owns the strategic communications consultancy Madano and global insight and strategy firm Thinks, both based in London; as well as Hanover, one of the leading strategic communications and public affairs consultancies in Europe and the Middle East, with offices in London, Brussels, Dublin, Dubai, and Riyadh. The AVENIR GLOBAL network also includes the global healthcare communication agency AXON, with offices in London, Toronto, New York and Copenhagen; and London-based creative healthcare communications agency Cherry. 

About NATIONAL Public Relations

NATIONAL helps organizations navigate complex challenges with clarity and conviction. By combining insights, strategy and creative communications, we help leaders and organizations communicate with purpose, build trust and achieve their most important goals. Our team of 300 seasoned professionals supports organizations of all sizes and across all sectors to understand their challenges and opportunities and address the issues they face. For 50 years, NATIONAL has been at the center of the issues and industries that matter, helping lead change for today and tomorrow. NATIONAL is Canada's leading communications firm, with offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Saint John, Halifax and St. John's. Its network includes Time & Space, a leader in media strategy, data analysis, planning and execution. NATIONAL Public Relations is an AVENIR GLOBAL company, the largest Canadian-owned global communications firm, ranked among the 25 largest in the world with offices in 22 locations across Canada, the U.S., Europe and the Middle East. For more information about NATIONAL, please visit our website or follow us on LinkedIn and X.

SOURCE NATIONAL Public Relations