HAMILTON COUNTY OHIO - BUSINESS: History of Stockton, West, Burkhart, Inc.
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                        The History of
                   Stockton West Burkhart, Inc.
               Advertising Agency - Cincinnati, Ohio
                   written by C. Thomas Martin 1982



Then came Pearl Harbor and many of the personnel in all departments were 
drafted, including Helmich and Nelson.  All draft boards listed Advertising 
non-essential to the war effort. 

West and Martin however, were not called to service and were able to create 
award winning ads for War Bond Promotions and other patriotic endeavors.  
Clients who were involved in defense work and wanted their war efforts and 
names recognized, continued to advertise. 

Red Cross Shoe Company presented a new and distinct challenge for the agency. 
 Unhampered in production by the war, they had a brand name that was the 
target of attention…  and was threatened with extinction by the American Red 
Cross.  The American Red Cross wanted the exclusive use of the Red Cross name 
and seized this opportunity to propose legal action to guarantee its 
exclusivity. 

Unknown to almost everyone except the lawyers, the U.S. Shoe Corporation had 
advertised Red Cross Shoe brand years before the American Red Cross was 
founded.  But, the agency and U. S. Shoe knew that this was not the time for 
legal confrontation.  Public sympathy would support the American Red Cross. 

The agency created a visually unique way to display a name change to Gold 
Cross Shoes.  U.S. Shoe took the initiative in advertising this important 
change in name, with an increase in their advertising budget. 

Some clients, however, ceased advertising entirely, but due to the Division 
system the losses to SWB were primarily in growth.  The division directors 
took a major blow. 

At the conclusion of World War II, Helmich, Nelson and some others returned.  
SWB was once again ready for expansion.  More space… more accounts were 
added and more people were hired in all Divisions. 

Burkhart decided now was the time to fully establish the Research Division 
and hired Robert McDowell to take the leadership and responsibility for the 
Research, Media and Library Departments, under the original Division 
remuneration plan. 

When the Felsenbrau Brewery went out of business, Stockton acquire the 
Hudepohl account.  He also added Merill, makers of Cepacol and other drug 
products. 

At this time a new medium, Television, was developing Fortunately for SWB, 
Cincinnati, due to the Crosley Corporation, was a pioneer city in this 
rapidly growing industry.  Crosley Broadcasting Company which gave them a 
two-fold interest in promoting television.  Other local broadcasting stations 
quickly joined in. 




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