Level: Sub-series
Reference: HAT50/1/158
Alt Ref No.: Hatrecord
Extent: 109 folders, 34 items (13 boxes)
Agency: J Walter Thompson (JWT), London
Advertiser / Client: Rowntree & Co. Ltd
Related Material: See Rowntree's client data books (1931-1938) for Rowntrees Cocoa and Table Jellies (HAT: JWT/5/11/1-2). For more detail on the JWT London-Rowntree relationship (e.g. Polo, Kit Kat, Dairy Box, Black Magic, Aero, cocoa) see Sam Soper's unpublished memoir 'Life at JWT'.
HAT also holds The David Lamb (former UK Advertising Manager at Rowntree Mackintosh)
Collection (HAT21/286) which includes material such as: client/agency communications (1970s-1980s), review of Kit Kat advertising (1969-1983) and creative briefs and TV scripts for After Eight, Dairy Box and Kit Kat (1980s). This collection also includes some Rowntree corporate documents and publications (1960s-1980s).
Admin History: Rowntree & Co was established as a limited company in 1897, although the business had begun trading under the Rowntree name in 1869. The company was initially a manufacturer of cocoa but soon added fruit gums and pastilles (1881), table jellies (1901) and chocolate to their product portfolio. In 1969 Rowntree & Co Ltd merged with John Mackintosh & Sons Ltd to become Rowntree Mackintosh Ltd. The company name was changed to Rowntree plc. in 1987.
The Rowntree account was acquired by JWT in 1930 and the company was initially asked to advise on Motoring chocolate, cocoa and gums in addition to milk chocolate (see 'Rowntree and the Marketing Revolution: 1862-1969' by Robert Fitzgerald, p. 295).