Inventory of the Gotham Inc. Records, 1967-1997 and undated

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Descriptive Summary

Repository Creator Title Language of Material Extent Abstract [top]

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Administrative Information

Access Restrictions Copyright Notice Preferred Citation Provenance Processing Information [top]

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Historical Note

Since its inception, Gotham Inc. has been characterized in corporate literature as one of the first New Wave creative agencies that rides the cutting edge of advertising by hiring novice professionals who are driven by instinct and not afraid to try new approaches. Gotham Inc.'s self-described philosophy is "disciplined creativity" which refers to a blend of maverick creativity, rigorous research, and carefully developed marketing strategies. Gotham's basic creative strategy is to present an advertising concept in a variety of ways rather than constant repetition of a single advertisement. Gotham Inc. has a strong record for starting with single products and winning over additional products lines from the same parent company. Radio and television broadcast advertising represent their largest advertising format.

Source: Gotham Inc. website, company prospectus.

Chronology List

1952	Daniel & Charles (D&C) founded by Charles Goldsmith and Daniel Karsch
1963	Larry Dunst joins D&C as a copy writer.
1967	Larry Dunst named head of the Creative Department and a Senior Vice President at D&C. At 25 years old, Dunst is identified in company promotions as a "member of the New Wave of young creative sparks" which were infusing fresh energy and new talent into the advertising world.
1969	Dunst named President of D&C, the youngest head of a major advertising agency. Under his leadership the agency grows competitive with the larger agencies, and wins clients from JWT, McCann-Erickson, Ogilvy & Mather, and others.
1969	F. William Free & Company founded by F. William Free.
1972	D&C is sold to Mickelberry Corporation, an investment holding company listed on the New York Stock Exchange. D&C operates as an independent subsidiary.
1980	D&C acquires the Bufferin account as a result of its successful campaigns for Comtrex and Ban Roll-On, two other accounts Daniel & Charles handled for Bristol-Meyers.
1981	D&C acquires F. William Free & Company to form Laurence, Charles, & Free (LC&F). Daniel Karsch leaves Gotham to become Executive Vice President of Creamer, Inc. Charles Goldsmith (former chair of D&C) named chair. The merger brings together American Tobacco products Tareyton (D&C), Lucky Strike (D&C), and Carlton (Free); and forces the agency to resign from D&C’s Schenley Industries (Ancient Age, Canadian, DeBouchette, etc.) account in favor of Free’s Heublein account (Black Velvet, Jose Cuervo, etc.). Free also acquires accounts from Adidas, Alfa Romeo, and Coca Cola Foods (Active Yogurt).
1985	Ad Age ranks LC&F as the 17th largest agency on the East Coast and 43rd in the US.
1986	Tom Lawson joins LC&F and the name changes to Laurence, Charles, Free & Lawson (LCF&L). Offices in New York, N.Y.; Bloomfield Hills, Mich.; and Milwaukee, Wisc.
1994	Gotham Inc. founded.

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Collection Overview

Collection Arrangement

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Subject Headings

• Gotham, inc.
• Bristol-Myers Company.
• Clairol, inc.
• Daniel & Charles (Firm)
• Drackett Company.
• GAF Corporation.
• Interpublic Group of Companies.
• Laurence, Charles, Free & Lawson (Firm)
• Ross Laboratories.
• Advertising agencies.
• Advertising agencies--United States--History.
• Advertising agencies--United States.
• Television commercials (Advertisements)--United States.
• Photographs.
• Slides.
• Videocassettes.
• John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising & Marketing History.

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Related Material

	List of Series in Collection
		Audiovisual Materials, 1973-1996 and undated
		Slides and memorabilia, undated
		Print Advertisements, 1967-1997 and undated
		Agency Information, 1930-1986 and undated

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Detailed Description of Collection

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• Descriptive Summary
• Administrative Information
• Historical Note
• Collection Overview
• Subject Headings
• Related Material
• Detailed Description of Collection