Inventory of the John Benjamin Harris Papers, 1955-1991 and undated

Abstract

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.

Descriptive Summary

Repository: David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University
Creator: Harris, John Benjamin
Title: John Benjamin Harris Papers, 1955-1991 and undated
Language of Material: English
Extent: 2.1 Linear Feet, 790 Items
Location: For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.

Series Quick Links

Writings Series, 1955-1991 and undated
Package Labels, undated
Audiovisual Materials 1969-1982 and undated

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.

Administrative Information

Collections are on the move for the renovation of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library. Contact Rubenstein Library staff before visiting. Read More »

Access Restrictions

Collection 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 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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Writings Series, 1955-1991 and undated

(2 boxes)

Contains manuscripts of academic papers, business proposals, and reports written by Harris. Arranged alphabetically by title.

American Negro and His Media, The Leo Burnett Company, Inc., 1966

Box 1

Analysis of Consumer Advertising to the Washington, D.C. Negro Market, MBA Thesis, New York University, 1955

Box 1

Analysis of Virginia's Minority Bank Deposit Program, Virginia State Office of Minority Business Enterprise, 1977

Box 1

Case for Negro-Oriented Newspapers, Eastman Kodak Company, 1967

Box 1

Communications and the Negro Market: Framework and Strategy, The Pillsbury Company, 1968 (5 folders)

Box 1

CMD Products (Still & Movie Equipment and Film) 1967-68 Marketing Plans Proposal, Eastman Kodak Company, 1967

Box 1

Effective Advertising to the Negro Market: Some Basic Guidelines, Eastman Kodak Company, 1967 (2 folders)

Box 1

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]

Box 1

Minority Market Relations Abstract, The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, 1983

Box 1

Minority Market Relations, The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, 1983 (2 folders)

Box 1

Negro Market in America Today, Bob Dore Associates, undated

Box 2

Package Labels, undated

(1 box)

Contains photocopies of Campbell Soup Company products, arranged alphabetically by brand.

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]

Box 2 (continued)

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]

Box 2 (continued)

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]

Box 2 (continued)

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]

Box 2 (continued)

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]

Box 3

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]

Box 3

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]

Box 3

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]

Box 3

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 3

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]

Box 4

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]

Box 4

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]

Box 4

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]

Box 4

AV10. Ted Bates AAF Hall of Fame Induction 3/31/82. 1982. Format: 16mm. TRT: ~10 minutes. Use Copy UC-3 in collection.

Box 4

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]

Box 4

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]

Box 4

Production Masters (Not for Research Use)

AVM1. Master for AV1-AV2. Format: DVD. Created: 2008.

Box 5

AVM2-AVM3. Masters for AV3-AV12. Format: Betacam SP. Created: 2008.

Box 5

Use Copies

UC1-UC3. Use copies for AV1-AV12. Format: DVD. Created: 2008.

Box 2 (continued)

Historical Note

Date	Event(s)
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

Subject Headings

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.