Inventory of the Jim Brown Papers, 1945-1959 and undated

Abstract

R.C. Jim Brown served as copy group head of Batten, Barton, Durstine & Osborne (BBDO) during the years 1945-1962.

The Jim Brown Papers contain materials representing the years of Brown's employment with BBDO. The collection consists of a scrapbook of advertising proofs and a series of proposals relating to BBDO clients' sponsorship of television specials. Included in the scrapbook are proofs for publication in trade magazines, newspapers, movie posters, and comic books, with most of the materials dating from 1945-1946. Companies and products represented include Royal Crown Cola (Cott Beverages), Ethyl Cleaner (Ethyl Corporation), Raleigh Cigarettes, Kool Cigarettes, Continental Can Company and the American Broadcasting Company. The set of proposals date from 1955-1959 and includes BBDO strategies for product placement in advertisements and in the television programs, as well as rate schedules for various marketing tactics. Companies represented include Du Pont, Westclox, Bristol-Myers, General Electric Company and Campbell Soup Company. Television programs to be sponsored include Lassie, The Donna Reed Show, Playhouse 90, and Wonderful Town.

Descriptive Summary

Repository: David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University
Creator: Brown, Jim
Title: Jim Brown Papers, 1945-1959 and undated
Language of Material: English
Extent: 2.4 Linear Feet, 250 Items
Location: For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.

Collection Overview

The collection is organized into two sections: a set of proposals related to company marketing through television programs, and a scrapbook of advertising proofs.

Administrative Information

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Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

However, 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 David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.

Use Restrictions

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 David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

Contents of the Collection

Browse List of Series

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Proposals, 1955-1959

1 Box

The proposals date from 1955 to 1959 and were compiled by members of BBDO for various client companies looking to sponsor television broadcasts of special programs. Companies include Westclox, General Electric, Du Pont, Campbell Soup Company, and Bristol-Myers. Arranged alphabetically by title.

Plan for publicity promotion station merchandising of Wonderful Town sponsored by Westclox, 1958

Box 1

Proposed promotion plan for Lassie sponsored by Campbell Soup Company, 1958-1959

Box 1

Proposed publicity promotion plan for The Donna Reed Show sponsored by Campbell Soup Company, 2 copies, 1958-1959

Box 1

Recommended audience promotion plan for the General Electric Theater, 1955-1956

Box 1

Recommended publicity promotion plan for Playhouse 90 sponsored by Bristol-Myers, 1956

Box 1

Total exploitation publicity promotion plan for Du Pont Presents sponsored by E.I. Du Pont De Nemours & Co., 1957

Box 1

Scrapbook, 1945-1946, 1958 and undated

1 Box

Contains advertising proofs for publication in newspapers, trade magazines, movie posters and comic books. Companies and products represented include Royal Crown Cola, Ethyl Cleaner, Raleigh Cigarettes, Kool Cigarettes, Continental Can Company, and the American Broadcasting Company. Original scrapbook order was preserved, and original folder titles were used.

Royal Crown Cola, 1945-1946

Life color pages

Box 2

Life half pages

Box 2

Movie books

Box 2

Good Housekeeping

Box 2

Negro

Box 2

Adventure [comics]

Box 2

Newspaper campaigns

Box 2

Trade publications

Box 2

Posters, miscellaneous

Box 2

Ethyl Cleaner, 1946

Newspaper campaigns

Box 2

Cartoons, cartoon strips

Box 2

Proof for Woman's Day, other trade publications

Box 2

Raleigh Cigarettes, Kool Cigarettes, 1945

Box 2

Continental Can Company, 1945-1946

Box 2

American Broadcasting Company, 1945

Box 2

Historical Note

R.C. "Jim" Brown was born on 15 April 1912 in Yelverton, OH. He received his B.A. in 1934 from the University of Dayton, where he was president of the Dayton Advertising Club and a member of the fraternity Chi Alpha Phi. On 21 November 1936 he married Ruth Carothers Johnson. He eventually served as copy group head for Batten, Barton, Durstine & Osborn (BBDO), and later as creative director for Bermingham, Castleman & Pierce, Inc., both in New York City. During 1940-1941, he served as president of the Greater Dayton Advertising Association, as a trustee for New York's Ohio Society, as chairman of the New York Civil War Round Table Tour. He also sponsored the Madison Avenue Advertising Agency, and was the recipient of the Public Relations Society of America's Silver Anvil Award. He died on 26 July 1999.

Subject Headings

Related Material

Related materials may be found in the following Hartman Center collections of J. Walter Thompson Company Archives: Colin Dawkins Papers; Edgar Hatcher Papers. Other related materials may be found in: Anthony Weir Papers; John E. Brennan Outdoor Advertising Survey Reports; Judith Hennessee Papers; Roy Lightner Collection Of Antique Advertisements; John Benjamin Harris Papers; Liggett and Myers Tobacco Company Records; Garrett Orr Papers; Brouillard Communications, Inc., Vertical Files.