J. Walter Thompson Company. John F. Dignam papers, 1958-2003 and undated, bulk 1960s-1987

Using These Materials Teaser

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials

Restrictions:
Collection is open for research. However, audiovisual originals are closed to researchers. Use Copies are available in the collection. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy...
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 largest and oldest enduring advertising agencies in the United States. John F. Dignam was a commercial artist and an executive with JWT during a 26-year career, in which he held positions of Vice President and Senior Art Director. The John F. Dignam Papers cover the years 1958-2003, with the bulk of materials dating from the 1960s to 1987, roughly the period during which Dignam served as Art Director with the J. Walter Thompson (JWT) advertising agency. The collection primarily consists of advertising proofs and commercial artwork created for clients of JWT and other firms, including the Victor A. Bennett Company, along with some of Dignam's freelance work. The collection also includes a few reports, television commercial scripts and other writings, along with some videocassettes of television commercials. Companies represented in the collection include the Banco Popular de Puerto Rico, British Aerospace, British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC), Ford Motor Company, the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, Harveys of Bristol, Jantzen, Pan AMerican World Airways, Inc., the Radio Corporation of America (RCA), Standard Brands, and the United States Aircraft Insurance Group (USAIG).
Extent:
7.1 Linear Feet
423 Items
Language:
Material in English and Spanish
Collection ID:
RL.00685

Background

Scope and content:

The John F. Dignam Papers cover the years 1958-2003, with the bulk of materials dating from the 1960s to 1987, roughly the period during which Dignam served as Art Director with the J. Walter Thompson (JWT) advertising agency. The collection primarily consists of advertising proofs and commercial artwork created for clients of JWT and other firms, including the Victor A. Bennett Company, along with some of Dignam's freelance work. The collection also includes a few reports, television commercial scripts and other writings, along with some videocassettes of television commercials. Companies represented in the collection include the Banco Popular de Puerto Rico, British Aerospace, British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC), Ford Motor Company, the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, Harveys of Bristol, Jantzen, Pan American World Airways, the Radio Corporation of America (RCA), Standard Brands, and the United States Aircraft Insurance Group (USAIG).

Many of the advertisements and artwork arrived in envelopes and folders upon which Dignam had written notes concerning the backgrounds of many of the campaigns. The notes were photocopied and may be found included in the Business and Personal Files Series in a folder entitled "Notes on various campaigns." In addition, where possible the notes have been appended to the processed folders containing the advertisements and artwork.

Restrictions on Access: Audiovisual originals are closed to researchers. Use Copies are available in the collection.

Biographical / historical:
Chronology
Date Event
1926 Mar. 31
Born, Easthampton, Mass.
1951-1953
Art Director, G.F. Sweet & Company, Hartford, Conn.
1952
BFa, Massachusetts Institute of Art (presently the Massachusetts College of Art and Design)
1952
Attended Pratt Institute (nights)
1953-1955
Studio staff, R.W. Bridges Studio
1955-1960
Art Director, Victor A. Bennett Company, Inc., New York N.Y.
1960-1987
J. Walter Thompson Company; various positions including Art Director, Art Group Head, Vice President, Senior Art Director
1975
Effie Award, Ford Granada campaign
1976
Effie Award, Best Automotive Campaign, Ford Granada
Chicago International Film Festival Award, Best Series of TV Spots, Ford Granada campaign
Advertising Age 100 Best Advertisements, Ford Granada
1977
Advertising Age 100 Best Advertisements, Ford Fiesta
1979
Art Director, Landsdowne Advertising (a division of JWT)
1987
Left JWT to pursue freelance career
Acquisition information:
The J. Walter Thompson Company. John F. Dignam Papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a gift in 2003 and 2006.
Processing information:

Processed by Richard Collier, Chris Kavcsek, December 2007

Encoded by Richard Collier, December 2007

Accessions 2003-214 and 2006-017 were merged into one collection, described in this finding aid.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged into four series: Business and Personal Files; Advertisements and Advertising Artwork; Artifacts; and Audiovisual Materials. The Business and Personal Files Series includes biographical sketches, scripts for television commercials, reports, and other writings. The Advertisements and Advertising Artwork Series, the largest series in the collection, consists of sketches, cartoons, and proof sheets for advertising campaigns created under Dignam's direction. The Artifacts Series primarily consists of a model dinosaur used in a Standard Brands advertising campaign. The Audiovisual Materials Series includes videotapes and use copies of television commercials.

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.

However, audiovisual originals are closed to researchers. Use Copies are available in the collection.

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. The library may require up to 48 hours to retrieve these materials for research use.

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.

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. John F. Dignam Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University