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Advertising Agency JWT Chicago shuts down

April 3, 2009

After 118 years JWT Chicago closes it doors forever. Adage is reporting that the advertising agency has ran out of clients.

The speed at which JWT went from stable to shuttered is earth shattering, JWT formerly boasted the city’s second-highest billings, and one of the country’s top creative departments.

In 2007 it was still the primary global ad agency for Kraft Foods, the world’s largest food marketer, and also for Federated Stores, one of the top U.S. retailers but by 2009 there was no work left and the office is being shut down.

Ugly, really ugly people. This recession is the worst most of us can remember, 2001-2002 was not this bad.. not like this. JWT Chicago has been open for 118 years … it survived the Great Depression, World War I, World War II …… but it couldn’t survive this economic disaster.

“JWT, Chicago, began as a one-man operation in 1891. Charles E. Raymond was dispatched to Chicago by J. Walter Thompson’s management to see if the 1893 World’s Fair might create some business opportunities. In his first eight months, Mr. Raymond and his fledgling the shop netted $1,600, and in the next decade, the office grew with the help of banner accounts such as Swift & Co., Pabst Brewing, Cream of Wheat, Holick’s Malted Milk and Aunt Jemima pancake flour.

Chances are however that a few startup advertising agencies will show up in Chicago… there’s a bunch of talent and a vacuum now that JWT has left.. we wish the city luck.

Al Capone - Chicago

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Written by TheFounder · Filed Under Advertising Agency News 


Comments

  • Shame

    appalling managment by JWT corporate and WPP. they don’t have a clue how to run an agency network.

  • Shame

    appalling managment by JWT corporate and WPP. they don’t have a clue how to run an agency network.

  • Shame

    appalling managment by JWT corporate and WPP. they don’t have a clue how to run an agency network.

  • http://www.tribbleagency.com/?p=4658 Sir Martin Shuts down 118 year old advertising agency | Tribble Ad Agency : The Advertising Agency of Record

    [...] Earlier today we reported that WPP group plc owned JWT Chicago was shutting down and closing it’s doors forever. The Advertising Agency is 118 years old, made it though World War I, The Great Depression, World War II …. but it can’t make it though Sir Martin’s management. [...]

  • http://godsofadvertising.wordpress.com/ Steffan Postaer

    A big, sad event. If your readers are interested I wrote about it:
    http://godsofadvertising.wordpress.com/2009/04/04/jwt-closes-shop-ending-an-era/

  • http://godsofadvertising.wordpress.com/ Steffan Postaer

    A big, sad event. If your readers are interested I wrote about it:
    http://godsofadvertising.wordpress.com/2009/04/04/jwt-closes-shop-ending-an-era/

  • http://godsofadvertising.wordpress.com Steffan Postaer

    A big, sad event. If your readers are interested I wrote about it:
    http://godsofadvertising.wordpress.com/2009/04/04/jwt-closes-shop-ending-an-era/

  • admanc

    This was definitely something that could have been avoided. Unfortunately, Bob Jeffrey decided to give the reins to the NYC office, which had no motivation or intention of ever seeing Chicago succeed or get back on its feet. The proof is in how they did absolutely nothing to help the agency recover by giving it some extra muscle to thrive once again. Instead, they (JWT/NY) used the opportunity to do nothing but seriously weaken their sister agency when it was already down and reeling. There was a point when things appeared to be nearing a turning point for the Chicago office. New accounts were won and solid client relationships were turning around for the better. It was at this time that JWT/NY began poaching the only remaining large and prestigious accounts the Chicago office had left. Shame is right. The leaders at WPP and JWT/NY seriously need to look in the mirror and point the finger at themselves for this mess on their hands. This is a Class-1A failure by senior managment to turn something around. God knows how they sleep at night.

  • admanc

    This was definitely something that could have been avoided. Unfortunately, Bob Jeffrey decided to give the reins to the NYC office, which had no motivation or intention of ever seeing Chicago succeed or get back on its feet. The proof is in how they did absolutely nothing to help the agency recover by giving it some extra muscle to thrive once again. Instead, they (JWT/NY) used the opportunity to do nothing but seriously weaken their sister agency when it was already down and reeling. There was a point when things appeared to be nearing a turning point for the Chicago office. New accounts were won and solid client relationships were turning around for the better. It was at this time that JWT/NY began poaching the only remaining large and prestigious accounts the Chicago office had left. Shame is right. The leaders at WPP and JWT/NY seriously need to look in the mirror and point the finger at themselves for this mess on their hands. This is a Class-1A failure by senior managment to turn something around. God knows how they sleep at night.

  • admanc

    This was definitely something that could have been avoided. Unfortunately, Bob Jeffrey decided to give the reins to the NYC office, which had no motivation or intention of ever seeing Chicago succeed or get back on its feet. The proof is in how they did absolutely nothing to help the agency recover by giving it some extra muscle to thrive once again. Instead, they (JWT/NY) used the opportunity to do nothing but seriously weaken their sister agency when it was already down and reeling. There was a point when things appeared to be nearing a turning point for the Chicago office. New accounts were won and solid client relationships were turning around for the better. It was at this time that JWT/NY began poaching the only remaining large and prestigious accounts the Chicago office had left. Shame is right. The leaders at WPP and JWT/NY seriously need to look in the mirror and point the finger at themselves for this mess on their hands. This is a Class-1A failure by senior managment to turn something around. God knows how they sleep at night.

  • http://publicity.businessandadvertising.com/advertising-agency-jwt-chicago-shuts-down/ Advertising Agency JWT Chicago shuts down | Publicity and Advertising Articles

    [...] Ugly, really ugly people. This recession is the worst most of us can remember, 2001-2002 was not this bad.. not like this. JWT Chicago has been open for 118 years … it survived the Great Depression, World War I, World War II …… but it couldn”t survive this economic disaster.more [...]

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