J. Walter Thompson Company. Writings and speeches, 1912-2015

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Summary

Creator:
J. Walter Thompson Company
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 Information Center of the New York Office began a collection of writings and speeches by former JWT executives. Later, scrapbooks and binders of speeches by Stanley Resor and Arno Johnson and Norman Strouse were added, and the Information Center expanded its activities to routinely collect texts of speeches given by current JWT staff. After the transfer of the JWT Archives to Duke University, additions continued to be received and interfiled. The J. Walter Thompson Company Writings and Speeches collection spans 1912 through 2000 and includes primarily printed texts of speeches given by advertising executives employed at the J. Walter Thompson Company. Also included to a lesser extent are clippings or reprints of articles, reports, and white papers, along with some books written in whole or in part by JWT staff. Topics include general trends in advertising and marketing, specific themes related to JWT's policies and philosophies, year-end reports, specific marketing strategies. Notable individuals represented include Rena Bartos, Charlotte Beers, Jeremy Bullmore, Nariman Dhalla, Arno Johnson, Don Johnston, Denis Lanigan, Burt Manning, Vergil Reed, Stanley Resor, Dan Seymour, Norman H. Strouse, and James Webb Young. Acquired as part of the John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising & Marketing History.
Extent:
40 Linear Feet
Language:
Material in English, German, and French
Research Center:
John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising & Marketing History
Collection ID:
RL.00762

Background

Scope and content:

The J. Walter Thompson Company Writings and Speeches collection includes primarily printed texts of speeches given by advertising executives employed at the J. Walter Thompson Company. Also included to a lesser extent are clippings or reprints of articles, reports, and white papers, along with some books written in whole or in part by JWT staff. Topics include general trends in advertising and marketing, specific themes related to JWT's policies and philosophies, year-end reports, specific marketing strategies. Notable individuals represented include Rena Bartos, Charlotte Beers, Jeremy Bullmore, Nariman Dhalla, Arno Johnson, Don Johnston, Denis Lanigan, Burt Manning, Vergil Reed, Stanley Resor, Dan Seymour, Norman H. Strouse, and James Webb Young. The collection was originally started by the Information Center of JWT New York Office.

Acquisition information:
The J. Walter Thompson Company. Writings and speeches were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as transfers from 1987 through 2015.
Processing information:

Processed by Richard Collier, February 2008

Encoded by Richard Collier, February 2008

Accessions 93-154, 93-155, 1997-0079, 1997-0089, 1998-0562, 1999-0306, 2002-0198 were merged into one collection, described in this finding aid.

Additions processed April 2026 by Richard Collier.

Arrangement:

Organized into the following series: General files; JWT Creative Forum; Management Reference Center Transfers; 2026 Additions.

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.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], J. Walter Thompson Company. Writings and speeches, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University

Permalink:
https://idn.duke.edu/ark:/87924/m1hk96