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The Advertising Council was formed in 1941 to use advertising to promote the public good. The advent of World War II accelerated the Council's growth, due to the increased need for public service messages to benefit the war effort. Beginning in 1942, the Council, then known as the "War Advertising Council," worked in conjunction with the Office of War Information.
Volunteerism was the main impetus for creating these campaigns. The Council appointed a volunteer campaign manager and a staff manager to oversee operations. These coordinators selected a task force from a list of volunteer agencies to work in concert with OWI and the government bureaus needing assistance. The completed campaigns went to advertisers, via sponsorship committees, who donated space and airtime for public service messages.
Upon the conclusion of WWII, the Council shifted to new projects, believing that its work would be just as essential during the rebuilding process as it was during the war. Its name changed from the "War Advertising Council" to "The Advertising Council." The name change coincided with the Council's consideration of requests from private organizations not connected with the government.
In 1945, the Council created the Public Advisory Committee.
In 1948, the Council's messages first appeared on television. Since then, with growing support from the business community, the Council's messages have focused on helping to solve national problems. Recent campaigns have centered on drunk driving, drug abuse, racism, and child abuse.
1. The Second Year of the War Advertising Council, March 1, 1943 to March 1, 1944, page 2.
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid., page 4.
4. Ibid., pp. 5-7; Third Year...March 1, 1944 to March 1, 1945, pages 4-7.
5. The Fourth Year of the Advertising Council, March 1945 to March 1946, page 7.
6. Annual Report 1966-67, pages 3-4.
7. The Fourth Year, page 7.
8. The Sixth Year of the Advertising Council, March 1947 to March 1948, page 9.The Advertising Council was formed in 1941 to use advertising to promote the public good. The advent of World War II accelerated the Council's growth, due to the increased need for public service messages to benefit the war effort. Beginning in 1942, the Council, then known as the "War Advertising Council," worked in conjunction with the Office of War Information.
This Collection is indexed under the following controlled access subject terms.
1/15/92, 11/20/2007, 8/19/2015
Chronological
Ad Council publications providing details about the origin, history, and accomplishments of the Council. Includes Harold B. Thomas' "Background and Beginning of the Advertising Council," material distributed to advertising agencies, 40th anniversary publications, desk calendars containing PSA examples, and several booklets reprinted from Reader's Digest regarding Ad Council campaigns and/or initiatives.