Finding Aids

The Insurance & Financial Communicators Association (I.F.C.A.) "is an international organization dedicated to the ongoing professional development of its members in life insurance and related financial services communications." [1] The associations primary objective is to promote the exhange of ideas among its members through educational programs, events, and publications. The primary value of the collection is in its capacity for documenting trends in the marketing of life insurance, and the rationale behind particular advertising campaigns. Case histories and publications aimed at the industry are of most use in this regard. The bulk of the records are of interest only in documenting the internal functions of the organization and the issues which it has perceived as important to the insurance industry.

International Housewares Association is a trade organization that promotes the sales and marketing of housewares. The formation of The International Housewares Shippers Association, and International Business Council, gives assistance to members with global trade issues. Through The Inspired Home, a consumer-based magazine and website, IHA caters to the housewares buyer by directly connecting the industry to its’ consumers. The collection has been divided into seven series: Administrative, Annual Show, International Business Council, International Shippers Association, Membership, Public Relations, and Publications.

The Tobacco Institute, Inc. was a trade association with the stated purpose of promoting a better understanding of the tobacco industry and its place in the national economy. The association also compiled and disseminated information about the industry and the use of tobacco products. It was founded in 1958 by twelve tobacco products manufacturers. The Tobacco Institute's activities included lobbying, policy work, advertising, and publishing white papers. This item is a sales and public relations packet assembled by the Tobacco Institute that was intended to portray tobacco products in the mid-twentieth century as a fast-growing market, with over fifty percent of Americans smoking and enjoying their historical connection to tobacco products. The packet includes a report, a newsletter single issue, tobacco growing districts wall map, and photographs detailing the tobacco growing, drying, and manufacturing process.