J. Walter Thompson Company. Biographical Information, 1916-1998 (bulk 1960s-1980s)

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Summary

Creator:
J. Walter Thompson Company
Abstract:
The J. Walter Thompson Company (JWT), founded in 1864, is one of the oldest and largest enduring advertising agencies in the United States. The J. Walter Thompson Company Biographical Information collection includes articles, clippings, press releases, internal memoranda and other printed materials that pertain to the lives and careers of over 3,000 managers, executives and staff members of JWT. Extensive files exist for some notable JWT executives, including Don Johnston, Helen and Stanley Resor, Norman Strouse, James Walter Thompson, and James Webb Young.
Extent:
21 Linear Feet
19,000 Items
Language:
Material is in English , French , Spanish and German
Collection ID:
RL.00668

Background

Scope and content:

The J. Walter Thompson Company (JWT) Biographical Information collection spans the years 1916-1998, with the bulk of materials falling between the 1960s and 1980s, and includes articles, clippings, press releases, internal memoranda and other printed materials that pertain to the lives and careers of over 3,000 managers, executives and staff members of JWT. Most of the materials involve promotions, relocations and new assignments, but some articles deal with staff member's hobbies, personal lives, and professional activities outside JWT. Extensive files exist for some notable JWT executives, including Don Johnston, Helen and Stanley Resor, Norman Strouse, J. Walter Thompson, and James Webb Young.

The collection is arranged alphabetically by name into two series: Main Files and Thumbnail Sketches. In addition, a few large-format items that have been relocated to Oversize Materials. The Main Files Series includes files on over 2,700 executives and staff members of JWT. Materials include articles, clippings and company announcements of promotions, assignments, retirements and obituaries. The Thumbnail Sketches Series includes clippings of the column "Thumbnail Sketches" that ran in the J. Walter Thompson Company Newsletter between 1946 and 1964, and profiled over 700 employees, mainly account representatives, creative directors and other middle-management staff. These articles were informal and frequently humorous, intended to introduce notable staff to the larger JWT community. Many of the employees profiled went on to become key executives at JWT, so the Thumbnail Sketches provide a glimpse of future directors and presidents early in their careers.

Further biographical information on JWT staff and officers may be found in other collections within the J. Walter Thompson Company Archives, notably in Writings and Speeches, Personnel Records, Publications and the Newsletter Collection, as well as in the personal papers of individual executives, including the Colin Dawkins Papers, the Howard Henderson Papers, the Don Johnston Papers, the Stanley Resor Papers, the Norman Strouse Papers, the Edward G. Wilson Papers, and the James Webb Young Papers.

Acquisition information:
The J. Walter Thompson Company Biographical Information collection was received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a transfer in 1986 and in 2002.
Processing information:

Processed by Eric Baumann, Richard Collier, August 2006

Encoded by Richard Collier

Completed August 2006

Accession 2002-190 was merged into the original acquisition, described in this finding aid.

Physical location:
For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

Using These Materials

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials


Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection.

All or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. There may be a 48-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.

Terms of access:

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.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], J. Walter Thompson Company Biographical Information, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.