J. Walter Thompson Company. Frankfurt Office records, 1960-1993

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Summary

Creator:
J. Walter Thompson Company. Frankfurt Office
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 Frankfurt office opened in 1952; it was JWT's largest office in continental Europe and served as the hub for coordinating European and international advertising activities. Collection includes acquisition documents; clippings; correspondence; market and research reports; new business and corporate presentation materials; proofs and tear sheets of advertising and other examples of creative work; sketches; slides and other materials. Some materials reflect communication and coordination with other JWT offices, including London, Madrid, and New York. Firms and brands represented in the collection include Bundesbahn; Bundeswehr recruitment; Capri-Sonne; De Beers; Deutsche Bank; Ford; IBM; Kodak Instamatic; Mouson (now part of L'Oréal); Philips; Rowntree Mackintosh; Signal (Elida Gibbs); Unilever; and Zentralsparkasse. Acquired as part of the John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising & Marketing History.
Extent:
18.0 Linear Feet
Language:
Materials are primarily in German, with some in French and English.
Research Center:
John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising & Marketing History
Collection ID:
RL.13199

Background

Scope and content:

Collection includes acquisition documents; clippings; correspondence; market and research reports; new business and corporate presentation materials; proofs and tear sheets of advertising and other examples of creative work; sketches; slides; and other materials produced by the J. Walter Thompson Company Frankfurt Office. Some materials reflect communication and coordination with other JWT offices, including London, Madrid, and New York. Firms and brands represented in the collection include Bundesbahn; Bundeswehr recruitment; Capri-Sonne; De Beers; Deutsche Bank; Ford; IBM; Kodak Instamatic; Mouson (now part of L'Oréal); Philips; Rowntree Mackintosh; Signal (Elida Gibbs); Unilever; and Zentralsparkasse.

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 Frankfurt office opened in 1952; it was JWT's largest office in continental Europe and served as the hub for coordinating European and international advertising activities.

Acquisition information:
The J. Walter Thompson Company. Frankfurt Office records were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as gifts from J. Walter Thompson's New York and Frankfurt offices between 1996 and 2004.
Processing information:

Processed by Richard Collier, June 2026;

Accessions described in this collection guide: 2002-0268; 2004-0142; 2004-0354.

Arrangement:

Organized into the following series: Administrative and General Files; Client Files; New Business Files; Presentations.

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. Frankfurt Office records, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.

Permalink:
https://idn.duke.edu/ark:/87924/m1dq88