J. Walter Thompson Company. Legal Department microfilmed talent consents and releases, 1920-1957

Using These Materials Teaser

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials

Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
More about accessing and using these materials...

Summary

Creator:
J. Walter Thompson Company
Abstract:
Founded in 1864, the J. Walter Thompson Company (JWT) is one of the oldest and largest enduring advertising agencies in the United States. The Legal Department microfilmed talent consents and releases collection consist of release forms and consent agreements between radio, screen and motion picture actors and actresses, models, producers and stage production staff to allow photographs, testimonials, mentions or other forms of likeness to be used in promotion of programming, advertising, contests and publications by JWT clients. The collection also includes photographs, memos and other correspondence. Releases and contracts include white, Latino and African American actors, as well as broadcast materials in French and Spanish for national and international programming. Correspondence covers a number of topics including guardian consents for underage talent; name and marital status changes; refusals of consent; and death notices. Client organizations represented in the collection include Chesebrough-Pond's, Ford, J.B. Williams, Lever Brothers, Kodak, New York Subways, and Standard Brands. Acquired as part of the John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising & Marketing History.
Extent:
3.0 Linear Feet
Language:
Materials in English.
Collection ID:
RL.11845

Background

Scope and content:

The Legal Department microfilmed talent consents and releases collection consist of release forms and consent agreements between radio, screen and motion picture actors and actresses, models, producers and stage production staff to allow photographs, testimonials, mentions or other forms of likeness to be used in promotion of programming, advertising, contests and publications by JWT clients. The collection also includes photographs, memos and other correspondence. Releases and contracts include white, Latino and African American actors, as well as broadcast materials in French and Spanish for national and international programming. Correspondence covers a number of topics including guardian consents for underage talent; name and marital status changes; refusals of consent; and death notices. Client organizations represented in the collection include Chesebrough-Pond's, Ford, J.B. Williams, Lever Brothers, Kodak, New York Subways, and Standard Brands.

Biographical / historical:

Founded in 1864, the J. Walter Thompson Company (JWT) is one of the oldest and largest enduring advertising agencies in the United States. It is headquartered in New York. Beginning in the 1930s, documents from several JWT departments and functions were microfilmed, including Legal Department, Treasurer's Office, As Broadcast Scripts and Commercials for Radio and Television, Investigations, Publicity Department, Artwork, Consumer Panel, and Radio/Television Department. Documents were microfilmed in no order, and typed and hand-written indices were produced for the microfilms. The present electronic collection guide is based largely on transcriptions of the paper indices produced by the JWT Information Center library staff. It is believed that once microfilmed, most of the original documents were destroyed.

Acquisition information:
The J. Walter Thompson Company. Legal Department microfilmed talent consents and releases were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a gift in 1986.
Processing information:

Processed by Richard Collier, May 2020.

This collection guide was created or updated with information provided by donors or external parties, and box or file lists have not been verified by Rubenstein Library staff. Errors may be present and can be reported to AskRL@duke.edu.

Arrangement:

Arranged alphabetically.

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.

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.

Before you visit:
Please consult our up-to-date information for visitors page, as our services and guidelines periodically change.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], J. Walter Thompson Company. Legal Department microfilmed talent consents and releases, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.

Permalink:
https://idn.duke.edu/ark:/87924/m1zq7v