Inventory of the John Benjamin Harris Papers, 1955-1991 and undated
[top]Descriptive Summary
Repository
Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library, Duke
University
Creator
Harris, John Benjamin
Title
John Benjamin Harris
Papers,
1955-1991 and
undated
Language of Material
Material
in English
Extent
2.1 Linear Feet
790 Items
Abstract
790 Items
John Benjamin Harris is
Professor Emeritus of Management and Marketing at Virginia State University. He pioneered governmental and commercial awareness of African American advertising markets and, in the 1970s, became the Director of the Virginia State Office of Minority Business Enterprise and Special Assistant to the Governor for Minority Enterprise.
The John Benjamin Harris Papers span the years 1955-1991 and include scholarly articles, corporate reports and proposals, product labels, 16mm film
reels, and audio tapes. Materials represent Harris' academic and professional work at New York University and Virginia State University as well as his work for the Virginia State Office of Minority Business Enterprise. Topics touched on in the collection include minority business enterprises; minority markets and minorities (especially African Americans) as consumers; and African American mass media. In addition, the collection reflects Harris' work for the advertising industry with employers including Cunningham & Walsh, Inc., the Leo Burnett Company, Inc., and the Ted Bates Company. Brands represented include Alka-Seltzer (Miles Laboratories), Campbell Soup, Coca-Cola, Cleveland Electric, Eastman Kodak, Pillsbury, and Schlitz.
[top]
Administrative Information
Access RestrictionsCollection is open for research.
However, original audiovisual materials are closed to patron use. Use copies are available in the collections.
In addition, collection may contain materials to which the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights form applies. Patrons must sign this form before using this collection.
Also, all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. Consequently, there may be a 24-hour delay in obtaining these materials.
Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library to use this collection.
Copyright Notice
The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library.
Preferred Citation
The John Benjamin Harris Papers, Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library, Duke University.
Provenance
The John Benjamin Harris Papers were received by the Rare Book,
Manuscript, and Special Collections Library as a gift in 2005.
Processing Information
Processed by Stacy Lavin, March 2007
Encoded by Stacy Lavin and Richard Collier
Completed March 2007
Accession 2005-0101 is described in this finding aid.
Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory:
DACS, EAD, NCEAD guidelines, and our
local
Style Guide.
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Biographical Note
| 1927 Jan. 15 | Born, Chesterfield County, VA |
| 1933-1940 | Kingsland Elementary School, Chesterfield County, VA |
| 1943 | Certificate of Barber Practice and Science from Virginia State College Trade School |
| 1944 |
Graduated, D. Webster Davis High School (Virginia State
College Laboratory School)
American Campaign Medal
|
| 1944-1945 |
U.S. Army Air Force
Virginia State College, Petersburg, VA
|
| 1947-1949 | Virginia State College, Department of Military Science |
| 1949 | Commissioned U.S. Quartermaster (QM) |
| 1950 Sept. 2 | Married Ruth Hortense Coles |
| 1950-1953 | 1st Lieutenant, U.S. Army Corps |
| 1951 | B.S. in Business Administration, Virginia State University |
| 1952 | Instructor in Military Tactics and Strategy, U.S Army QM School |
| 1954 Jan. 2 |
Son, John Jr., born
Assistant Hotel Manager,
Love B. Woods, Inc., New York, NY
|
| 1954-1966 | Captain, U.S. Army Officers Reserves |
| 1955 |
M.B.A. in Marketing and Management, New York University,
Graduate School of Business Administration
Special Advertising Representative and Space Salesman,
AFRO-AMERICAN Newspapers, Inc., Baltimrore,
MD
|
| 1955-1967 | Assistant Professor of Business and Economics and Director of Publicity, Virginia Union University |
| 1957 Dec. 25 | Daughter, Vita Michelle, born |
| 1964 | Fellow, General Electric and National Association of Manufacturers, Claremont Men's Graduate School, Advanced Certificate in Basic Economics |
| 1965 |
General Electric Fellow,University of
Chicago, Graduate School of Business, Certificate in Applied Economics
Special Projects Officer,
International Business Machines, Office
Products Division
|
| 1965-1971 | National Urban League Fellow |
| 1966 |
Certificate in Macro Economic Theory, Case Institute of
Technology.
Republic Steel Fellow/Economics-in-Action
Fellow
|
| 1967 |
Advertising Planner and Special Markets Assistant,
Eastman Kodak Company
Retired from Army Reserves
|
| 1968 |
NDE Fellow, Audio Visual Media Technology, Graduate School
of Education, Virginia State College (now Virginia State University)
Associate Professor of Marketing and Management, School of
Business, Virginia State University
General and Special Markets Advisor to Vice President,
Pillsbury Company, Grocery Products
Division
Consultant on Minority Affairs, U.S. Navy Department
|
| 1969 |
Certificate in Advanced Advertising Management, Montauk, NY
Association of National Advertisers (ANA)
Assistant Account Executive,
Benton & Bowles Advertising
Agency
|
| 1970 | Member, President's Inter-Agency Socio-Economic Policy Staff for Minority Business Enterprise |
| 1971 | Assistant Brand Manager, The Proctor and Gamble Company, Toilet Goods Division |
| 1972 |
Director, Virginia State Office of Minority Business
Enterprise and Special Assistant to Governor for Minority Enterprise, Office of
the Governor, Commonwealth of Virginia
Associate Professor of Marketing, School of Business,
Virginia State University Evening School (10 years)
Information Specialist, USDA, Agriculture Stabilization and
Conservation Service (ASCS)
Consultant and Interim Director,
Church Hill Economic Development Corporation
Certificate of Honor presented by Virginia Union University
president Allix B. James "In recognition of distinguished services to the
University 1955-1972"
|
| 1973 |
Honorary Citizen of Dallas, TX
Member, Southern Growth Policies Board (6 years)
|
| 1974 |
Graduate School of Education, Howard University.
Concentration in African American Relations, emphasis on marketing, business,
and economic development
African American Institute and Howard University Fellow to
West Africa
|
| Circa 1974 | Certificate in Marketing Education, U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare |
| 1978 | Stanford University, concentrated course on the "Role of Business in Society," ROBIS Institute/Intercollegiate Studies Institute, Certificate |
| 1979 | Director, Virginia State office of Minority Business Enterprise and Special Assistant to Governor for Minority Enterprise, Office of the Governor, Commonwealth of Virginia |
| 1983 |
Fellow,
The Direct Marketing Educational Foundation,
Inc. and Direct Marketing Day
Fellow,
Cleveland Scholarship Program, Inc. and
Professorial Intern in Marketing,
Cleveland Illuminating Company
|
Collection Overview
The John Benjamin Harris Papers span the years 1955-1991 and include scholarly articles, corporate reports and proposals, product labels, 16mm film
reels, and audio tapes. Materials represent Harris' academic and professional work at New York University and Virginia State University as well as his work for the Virginia State Office of Minority Business Enterprise. Topics touched on in the collection include minority business enterprises; minority markets and minorities (especially African Americans) as consumers; and African American mass media. In addition, the collection reflects Harris' work for the advertising industry with employers including
Cunningham & Walsh, Inc., the
Leo Burnett Company, Inc., and the
Ted Bates Company. Brands represented include
Alka-Seltzer (Miles Laboratories),
Campbell Soup,
Coca-cola,
Cleveland Electric,
Eastman Kodak,
Pillsbury, and
Schlitz.
The collection is organized into three series: Writings, Package Labels, and Audiovisual Materials. The Writings Series includes scholarly
articles, reports, and proposals from Harris' academic and professional career in marketing research. The Package Labels series includes images of Campbell Soup Company branded product labels. The Audiovisual Materials series includes reels of television and radio advertisements for various company brands and advertising agencies.
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Subject Headings
These are searchable subject entries for this collection. Performing a search on these subjects in the Duke University Libraries online catalog will bring up other related research materials.
- Harris, John Benjamin, 1927-
- Cunningham & Walsh, Inc. [Not LC]
- Leo Burnett Company.
- Ted Bates Advertising.
- New York University--Faculty.
- Virginia State University--Faculty.
- Campbell Soup Company.
- Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company.
- Coca-Cola Company.
- Eastman Kodak Company.
- Jos. Schlitz Brewing Co.
- Miles Laboratories
- Pillsbury Company.
- Advertising--Brand name products.
- Advertising executives.
- Advertising executives--United States.
- Advertising research.
- Advertising research--United States.
- African Americans and mass media.
- African Americans and mass media--United States.
- African Americans-Case studies.
- Brand name products--United States.
- Marketing research.
- Marketing research--United States.
- Minority business enterprises--Government policy--United States.
- Minority business enterprises--Virginia.
- Minority consumers--United States.
- Radio advertising.
- Television advertising.
- Audiotapes. [AAT]
- Audiotapes. [AAT]
- Labels. [AAT]
- 16 mm. [AAT]
- Motion picture. [AAT]
- John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising & Marketing History.
Related Material
Other materials relating to this collection may be found in the
following Hartman Center collections within the
J. Walter Thompson Company Archives: the
Domestic Advertisements Collection; the
Granger Tripp Papers; the
Shirley F. Woodell Papers; the
Marketing Vertical File; and the
Edward G. Wilson Papers. Also, related materials may be found in the Bates Worldwide, Inc. Records, the
John E. Brennan Outdoor Advertising Survey Reports; the
D'Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles Archives; the
Wayne P. Ellis Collection of Kodakiana; the
Kensinger Jones Papers; and the
Gene Frederico Papers.
 | List of Series in Collection | |||||||
 |  | Writings Series, 1955-1991 and undated | ||||||
| | Package Labels, undated | ||||||
 | | Audiovisual Materials 1969-1982 and undated | ||||||
Detailed Description of Collection
Writings Series, 1955-1991 and undated
(2 boxes)
Contains manuscripts of academic papers, business proposals, and reports written by Harris. Arranged alphabetically by title.
Box 1
"American Negro and His
Media,"
The Leo Burnett Company, Inc.,
1966
"Analysis of Consumer Advertising to
the Washington, D.C. Negro Market,"
MBA Thesis, New York University,
1955
"Analysis of Virginia's Minority
Bank Deposit Program,"
Virginia State Office of Minority Business
Enterprise,
1977
"Case for Negro-Oriented
Newspapers,"
Eastman Kodak Company,
1967
"Communications and the Negro
Market: Framework and Strategy,"
The Pillsbury Company,
1968 (5 folders)
"CMD Products (Still & Movie
Equipment and Film) 1967-68 Marketing Plans Proposal,"
Eastman Kodak Company,
1967
"Effective Advertising to the Negro
Market: Some Basic Guidelines,"
Eastman Kodak Company,
1967 (2 folders)
"Export Strategies for the 1990s: A Strategic Plan for Minority Firms' Participation in Global Markets,"
1991
[A research proposal with 2 enclosures--Appendix A: Personal Data--Export Potential for Minority Enterprises in the Caribbean and West African Countries; and Appendix B: Sample Publications]
"Minority Market Relations Abstract,"
The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, 1983
"Minority Market Relations,"
The Cleveland Electric Illuminating
Company,
1983 (2 folders)
Box 2
"Negro Market in America Today,"
Bob Dore Associates, undated
Package Labels, undated
(1 box)
Contains photocopies of Campbell Soup Company products, arranged
alphabetically by brand.
Box 2 (continued)
Bounty
[Bounty from Campbell's Corned Beef Hash, Bounty from Campbell's
Chili con Carne (with Beans), Bounty from Campbell's Beef Stew, Bounty from
Campbell's Chicken Stew, Bounty from Campbell's Chili-Mac: Macaroni, Beef and
Beans in a Zesty Sauce]
Campbell's
[Campbell's Pork & Beans with Tomato Sauce; Campbell's Beans
& Ground Beef in Barbecue Sauce, Campbell's Beans & Franks in Tomato
Sauce, Campbell's Barbecue Beans: 4 Kinds of Beans in Mild Barbecue Sauce,
Campbell's Old Fashioned Beans in Molasses Sauce, Campbell's Homestyle Tomato
Juice, V-8 Cocktail Vegetable Juice, Campbell's Condensed Bean with Bacon Soup,
Campbell's Condensed Tomato Soup, Campbell's Condensed Chicken Vegetable Soup,
Campbell's Condensed Chicken Noodle Soup]
Franco-American
[Franco-American Macaroni 'n Beef in Tomato Sauce: Elbow Macaroni
with Ground Beef, Franco-American Spaghetti-Os in Tomato and Cheese Sauce,
Franco-American Spaghetti-Os with Sliced Franks in Tomato Sauce, Franco-American
Spaghetti in Tomato Sauce with Cheese, Franco-American Spaghetti with Ground
Beef in Tomato Sauce, Franco-American Spaghetti with Meatballs in Tomato Sauce,
Franco-American Italian Style Spaghetti in Tomato-Cheese Sauce, Franco-American
Mushroom Gravy, Franco-American Spaghetti Sauce with Meat, Franco-American
Spaghetti Sauce with Mushrooms, Franco-American Chicken Gravy, Franco-American
Beef Gravy, Franco-American Giblet Gravy]
Swanson HP
[Swanson Boned Turkey with Broth, Swanson Chicken Spread, Swanson
Boned Chicken with Broth, Swanson Chicken a la King, Swanson Chicken in golden
gravy (Chicken fricasee), Swanson Clear Chicken Broth, Swanson Chunks o'
Chicken]
Audiovisual Materials 1969-1982 and undated
(3 boxes)
Contains sound tapes and film reels of TV and radio advertisements for Jack Tinker and Partners Advertising Agency (Alka Seltzer), Jos. Schlitz Brewing Co. (Old Milwaukee Beer), The Coca-Cola Company, The Ted Bates Company,
Cunningham & Walsh, Inc. (Old Milwaukee).
Restrictions on Access: Originals are closed to researchers. Use Copies are available in the collection.
Originals (Closed to Researchers)
Audiotape
AV1. Jos. Schlitz Brewing Co. Old Milwaukee Beer C&W 911. Undated. Format: .25" (7.5 ips.). Use Copy UC-1 in collection.
[Contains radio commercials produced by Cunningham & Walsh and recorded by Gotham Recording Corporation: 1. R-OM-60-69-118
"Louie"
; 2. R-OM-60-69-119
"Beer Truck"
; 3. R-OM-60-69-93
"Anncr. - Music"
; 4. R-OM-60-69-131
"Delivery Man"
; 5. R-OM-60-69-122
"Dentist"
; 6. R-OM-60-69-126
"Documentary"
; 7. R-OM-60-69-1128
"Race Track"
; 8. R-OM-30-69-120
"Repeat"
; 9. R-OM-30-69-121
"Inflation"
; 10. R-OM-30-69-129
"Skeptic"
; 11. R-OM-20-69-71
"Match"
; 12. R-OM-20-69-77R
"Echo"
;13. R-OM-10-69-76R
"Echo"
; 14. R-OM-10-69-74
"Why"
]
AV2. Things go better with Coke. 1969. Format: .25" (7.5 ips.) TRT: 37.5 minutes. Use Copy UC-1 in collection.
[Contains radio commercials produced by
McCann-Erikson, Inc. and
The Coca-Cola Company: spots numbered 1-4 Brooklyn Bridge :60; :60; :30; :30; spots numbered 5-8 B.J. Thomas :60; :60; :30; :30; spots numbered 9-10 Carla Thomas :60; :30; spots numbered 11-12 Jerry Butler :60; :30; spots numbered 13-14 Carla Thomas/Jerry Butler :60; :30; spots numbered 15-18 Vanilla Fudge :60; :60; :30; :30; spots numbered 19-22 Moody Blues :60; :60; :30; :30; spots numbered 23-25 Ray Charles/Aretha Franklin I, spots numbered 26-28 Ray Charles/Aretha Franklin II :90; :60; :30; spots numbered 29-31 Ray Charles :90; :60; :30; spots numbered 32-34 Aretha Franklin :90; :60; :30; spots numbered 35-38 Tommy Boyce/Bobby Hart :60; :60; :30; :30; spots numbered 39-42 The 5th Dimension :60; :60; :30; :30; spots numbered 43-46 Gladys Night and the Pips :60; :60; :30; :30]
Film
AV3. Alka Seltzer. Undated. Format: 16mm. Use Copy UC-2 in collection.
[Contains television commercials produced by
Jack Tinker & Partners and entitled:
"Caveman"
AS-60-215;
"Heartburn Man"
AS-60-179;
"Trailmaster"
TV-69-3-30;
"Bundle of Nerves"
N-30-28;
"Slow Pan"
S-60-8;
"Jim/Jamie"
69-0472-30;
"Totem Pole"
69-0791-60;
"Moon Trip"
69-0500-60. Also includes commercials for other Miles Laboratory products: Nervine, Sungard, Bactine, One-A-Day, and Chocks]
AV4. Coca-Cola Reel. Undated. Format: 16mm. TRT: 6:08 minutes. Use Copy UC-2 in collection.
[Contains television commercials produced for
The Coca Cola Company: TV6-828c Ray Charles :60; TV6-841c
"Summer Dimensions"
:60; TV5-842c
"Summer Dimensions"
:50; TV3-843c
"Summer Dimensions"
:30; TV8-820c
"Summer Dimensions"
:08; TV2-840c
"Scrambling"
:20; TV6-816c
"Summer Goes Better"
:60; TV5-817c
"Summer Goes Better"
:50; TV2-844c
"Tub"
:20; TV2-845c
"Man Drinking"
:20; TV8-846c
"Shape"
:08; TV8-847c
"Lunch"
:08]
AV5. CHF2 62-75 (2). 1977-1978. Format: 16mm. Use Copy UC-2 in collection.
[Contains television commercials for Sears Automotive products (Diehard batteries, tires, mufflers, car radios, Sears Car Care Centers)]
Box 4
AV6. Old Milwaukee. Undated. Format: 16mm. TRT: 1 minute. Use Copy UC-2 in collection.
[Contains televison commercial produced by
Cunningham & Walsh, Inc.: OM 60 68 47C 6RTB0.
"Irish"
CLR 60 SEC 7296]
AV7. Old Milwaukee. Undated. Format: 16mm. TRT: 1 minute. Use Copy UC-2 in collection.
[Contains television commercials produced by
Cunningham & Walsh, Inc.: OM 60 68 50C 6RTB0.
"Trial"
CLR 60 sec 7287A]
AV8. Old Milwaukee. Undated. Format: 16mm. TRT: 1 minute. Use Copy UC-2 in collection.
[Contains television commercials produced by
Cunningham & Walsh, Inc.: OM 60 68 48C 6RTB0.
"Where Are You From"
CLR 60 sec 7296]
AV9. CW Old Milwaukee. Undated. Format: 16mm. TRT: 1 minute. Use Copy UC-3 in collection.
[Contains television commercials produced by
Cunningham & Walsh, Inc.: OM 60 68 32C Contract.
"Showdown"
CLR 60 sec]
AV10.
"Ted Bates"
AAF Hall of Fame Induction 3/31/82. 1982. Format: 16mm. TRT: ~10 minutes. Use Copy UC-3 in collection.
AV11. Untitled. Undated. 16mm. Use Copy UC-3 in collection.
[Includes televison commercials for: Zest Beauty Bar (including one commercial in Spanish); Charmin bathroom tissue (Mr. Whipple); Ivory Snow detergent; Scottie tissues; White Cloud bathroom tissue]
AV12. Untitled. Undated. 16mm. Use Copy UC-3 in collection.
[Includes television commercials for: Lilt home permanent; Zest Beauty Bar (including one advertisement featuring an African American actress); TWA; Vick's Formula 44; Prell shampoo; Pepto-Bismol; E.F. Hutton; Chemical Bank New York; Cool Whip; Nyquil cough suppressant; Texaco; Scope mouthwash]
Production Masters (Not for Research Use)
AVM1. Master for AV1-AV2. Format: DVD. Created: 2008.
AVM2-AVM3. Masters for AV3-AV12. Format: Betacam SP. Created: 2008.
Use Copies
UC1-UC3. Use copies for AV1-AV12. Format: DVD. Created: 2008.
