Description: Collection of Y & R advertising agency's guard books, containing advertisement press proofs 1936 -c.1996
Level: Collection (Fonds)
Reference: YR
Alt Ref No.: Hatrecord
Extent: 60 linear metres
Related Material: Young & Rubicam Incorporated (of New York, Chicago, Detroit, Montreal and Quebec), originally an American agency founded in 1923, opened London offices from 1 January 1945: see articles in Advertiser's Weekly, 12 October 1944 (p.45) and 11 January 1945 (p.47). The company is listed in the 1946 Advertiser's Annual and they began placing advertising in Britain in July 1945. For copy of 1923 'court circular' announcing the formation of Young & Rubicam by John Orr Young and Raymond Rubicam see Y&R Crescent, Winter Issue 1982 (HAT 6 Small agencies collection, Young & Rubicam). For an ad for the agency in 1952 marking the 7th anniversary of British operations see Advertiser's Weekly, 17 July 1952 (p.125).
Admin History: The advertising agency Young and Rubicam were originally founded in 1923 in Philadelphia by John Orr Young and Raymond Rubicam. Starting small they grew quickly, moving to New York and enjoying great success in the North American market. On 12 October 1944 an article appeared in the Advertiser's Weekly journal announcing that Young and Rubicam Incorporated, the already prominent US advertising agents of New York, Chicago, Detroit, Montreal and Quebec, intended to open London offices the following year. The move to London was the companies first step towards expansion into Europe. On 1 January 1945 Young and Rubicam set up shop in their first UK premises at 24 St. James's Street, S.W.1 under the creative control of Managing Director George Bryson. Over the years the agency has had several different identities (including RKCR/Y&R, Y&R London) and been based in various prominent locations across the capital. They exist today as VMLY&R with recent work including the Department for Transport It's Everyone's Journey campaign and adverts for Alpro, the Danone food brand starring former sprinter and world's fastest man Usain Bolt. Back in the early days, the London agency's first account was General Foods, a large US conglomerate which produced a wide range of grocery products including Grape Nuts cereal, Bird's custard, Jell-O and Maxwell House instant coffee. They helped launch the coffee in the UK as America's favourite, later using entertainer Bruce Forsyth as a spokesman. Another prominent early client who went on to work with Young and Rubicam for decades was food manufacturer Heinz. Adverts can be found in the archive collection dating from 1948 to 1991 created for a wide range of their products including baked beans, soups, sauces, pickles and baby food. [2020]