J. Walter Thompson Company. Legal Department microfilmed entertainment contracts, 1924-1957 3.0 Linear Feet
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Founded in 1864, the J. Walter Thompson Company (JWT) is one of the oldest and largest enduring advertising agencies in the United States. It is headquartered in New York. The JWT Legal Department microfilmed entertainment contracts include contracts for appearances on radio and television broadcasts; correspondence; folios (typically collections of documents relating to an actor's career, or casting for a broadcast program); letters of terms; notices of cancellations of contracts; photographs; talent releases and other printed documents. Talent featured in the sponsored programming include journalists, motion picture actors, musicians, politicians (such as Wendell Willkie), sports announcers, vaudeville blackface and dance performers, writers and other celebrities. Talent-based and variety shows drew from American and international performers, including African Americans and women. Sponsoring firms include Ballantine, Elgin, Ford, General Cigar, Kodak, Kraft, Lever Brothers, Lorillard, Nash Motors, Nestle, Owens-Illinois, RCA, Seven-Up, Shell, Standard Brands, Swift, Textron, Ward Baking and Wrigley. Acquired as part of the John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising & Marketing History.
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