J. Walter Thompson Company. Nan Findlow papers, 1930-1995 and undated, bulk 1959-1967

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Summary

Creator:
J. Walter Thompson Company
Abstract:
Nan Findlow was an advertising executive and entrepreneur. She was Creative Director for major retail companies, including Bamberger's and Macy's department stores, and held executive positions with the Ross Roy and J. Walter Thompson Company advertising agencies before founding her own consulting agency, Nan Findlow Creative Services. The Nan Findlow Papers span the years 1930-1995, the bulk of which document the period 1959-1967, and include clippings, photographs, advertising scripts for television commercials, print advertisements, story boards, marketing reports, correspondence, corporate memoranda, trade literature, speeches, and company newsletters. The bulk of the materials represents Findlow's time as an executive at the J. Walter Thompson Company (JWT), where her client assignments included American Home Products (Boyle-Midway), Chesebrough-Pond's, Lever Brothers Company, McCall's, Prince Matchabelli perfume, Revlon, and Scott Paper Company. In addition, there are brochures from Macy's and Georg-Jensen Inc., proofs, tear sheets, and artwork from L. Bamberger & Co. and Ross Roy of New York. The collection also includes writings, press releases, and account-history reports prepared by Nan Findlow Creative Services, the marketing consultant firm Findlow founded upon leaving JWT.
Extent:
4.6 Linear Feet
405 Items
Language:
Material in English
Collection ID:
RL.00690

Background

Scope and content:

The Nan Findlow Papers span the years 1930-1995, the bulk of which document the period 1959-1967, and include clippings, photographs, advertising scripts for television commercials, print advertisements, story boards, marketing reports, correspondence, corporate memoranda, trade literature, speeches, and company newsletters. The bulk of the materials represents Findlow's time as an executive at the J. Walter Thompson Company (JWT), where her client assignments included American Home Products (Boyle-Midway), Chesebrough-Pond's, Lever Brothers Company, McCall's, Prince Matchabelli perfume, Revlon, and Scott Paper Company. In addition, there are brochures from Macy's and Georg-Jensen Inc., proofs, tear sheets, and artwork from L. Bamberger & Co. and Ross Roy of New York. The collection also includes writings, press releases, and account-history reports prepared by Nan Findlow Creative Services, the marketing consultant firm Findlow founded upon leaving JWT.

The collection is organized into two series: General Files, including correspondence, clippings, and memoranda, which represents Findlow's career in market research and advertising; and Proofs & Tear Sheets, which represents some of the print advertising campaigns Findlow generated, primarily while working at JWT.

Biographical / historical:
Chronology
Date Event
1910
Born Nancy Findlow, Paterson, N.J.
ca.1937-1939
Apprentice and copywriter, J. Walter Thompson Company
1939-1940
Creative Group Head, The Texas Company (Texaco)
1940-1941
Manager of Publicity Department, L. Bamberger & Company (Newark, NJ)
1941-1945
Free publicity and special events, Feature Advertising Manager, L. Bamberger & Company.
1943
Initiated Bamberger's Womanpower Council (war industries recruiting program, used subsequently by the Office of War Information as a model in retail stores nationwide).
1945
Advertising Director, Bamberger's. First woman to occupy this role in the history of L. Bamberger & Co.
1948
Taught the inaugural Public Relations for Retailing evening course at New York University's School of Retailing
1951-1955
Copy Director and Creative Head of Advertising, Macy's
1955
Vice President-Copy Supervisor, Women's Copy Group, J. Walter Thompson Company
1967
President, Nan Findlow Creative Services (retailing and merchandising strategy). Associated with Bennett, Newbery & Cowan.
Vice President, Barnum Communications.
1976
"Andy Award of Excellence" (given by the Advertising Club of New York).
1995 Feb 3
Died, Rutherford, N.J.

During her career with Bamberger's and Macy's department stores, Findlow won numerous advertising industry awards, including ones from Seklemian, the National Retail and Dry Goods Association (NRDGA) and Harvard Business School.

Acquisition information:
The Nan Findlow Papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a gift in 2002 and 2004.
Processing information:

Processed by Stacy Lavin, September 2006

Encoded by Stacy Lavin

Completed September 2006

Accessions 2002-0192 and 2004-0009 were merged into one collection, 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 Co. Nan Findlow Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.