J. Walter Thompson Company. Chicago Office. Competitive advertisements, 1962-1987

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Summary

Creator:
J. Walter Thompson Company. Chicago Office and John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising & Marketing History
Abstract:
Founded in 1864, the J. Walter Thompson Company (JWT) was one of the oldest and largest advertising agencies in the United States. It was headquartered in New York. In 2023 the agency was absorbed into marketing and communications firm VML. The Chicago Office opened in 1891 and closed in 2009; its Information Center served as a corporate library and center for reference information. Collection consists of clippings obtained from a selection of regional and nationally distributed magazines and newspapers, representing print advertising campaigns of JWT client's competitors. Major product categories include air and railroad travel; car rentals; food; hotels and resorts; household appliances and furnishings; toiletries; tourism; and transportation services. Acquired as part of the John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising & Marketing History.
Extent:
12.0 Linear Feet
Language:
Materials in English.
Collection ID:
RL.13179

Background

Scope and content:

Collection consists of clippings obtained from a selection of regional and nationally distributed magazines and newspapers, representing print advertising campaigns of JWT client's competitors. Major product categories include air and railroad travel; car rentals; food; hotels and resorts; household appliances and furnishings; toiletries; tourism; and transportation services. Materials dating before 1964 are filed under the corporate name; beginning in the 1970s materials are indexed by a product category code adapted from a product category classification table created by Leading National Advertisers.

Biographical / historical:

Founded in 1864, the J. Walter Thompson Company (JWT) was one of the oldest and largest advertising agencies in the United States. It was headquartered in New York. In 2023 the agency was absorbed into marketing and communications firm VML. The Chicago Office opened in 1891 and closed in 2009; its Information Center served as a corporate library and center for reference information.

Acquisition information:
The J. Walter Thompson Company. Chicago Office. Competitive advertisements were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a gift from the J. Walter Thompson Company in 2001.
Processing information:

Processed by Richard Collier, Jan. 2026;

Accessions described in this collection guide: 2001-0212.

Arrangement:

Arranged alphabetically into two series: Indexed files; and Non-indexed Files.

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 Rubenstein Library's Citations, Permissions, and Copyright guide.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], J. Walter Thompson Company. Chicago Office. Competitive advertisements, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.

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