 |
Bruce BartonAmerican writer, copywriter, businessman, congressman, philanthropist, one of the leaders and founders of the largest advertising agency BBDO.
Date of Birth: 05.08.1886
Country:  USA |
Content:
Bruce Barton - American Writer, Copywriter, Businessman, Congressman, Philanthropist
Bruce Barton, born in 1886 in Tennessee, USA, was an American writer, copywriter, businessman, congressman, and philanthropist. He was born into a family of a priest and graduated from Amherst College in 1907.
Early Career
Bruce Barton started his career in the maple syrup trade and later worked as a publicist, advertising sales manager, and magazine editor. In 1919, he co-founded the advertising agency "Barton, Durstine, Osborn" (BDO) along with Roy Sarles Durstine and Alex Faickney Osborn. Nine years later, the agency merged with George Batten's agency and became known as "Batten, Barton, Durstine & Osborn" (BBDO). Bruce Barton became the head of the new agency and remained its leader until 1961. Under his leadership, BBDO became the largest advertising agency in the world.
Political Career
Bruce Barton was the first person in American history to propose using the media to promote political candidates during elections. With conservative political views and a strong opposition to Franklin Roosevelt, he supported many Republican presidential candidates over the years. In 1937, Bruce Barton decided to pursue a political career and was elected to the House of Representatives as a member of the Republican Party. In 1940, while trying to secure a Senate seat from New York, he became involved in a scandal and suffered a defeat. After ending his political career, Bruce Barton returned to advertising.
Achievements
Bruce Barton was the most famous advertising executive of his time. He was known for creating the image of Betty Crocker, one of the greatest advertising hoaxes of the 20th century. He is also credited with coming up with the names General Motors and General Electric. Barton also introduced the idea of companies sponsoring programs in the public media.
Barton wrote numerous books and several volumes of essays. His most famous book, "The Man Nobody Knows," published in 1925, brought him widespread popularity. In this book, he portrayed Jesus Christ as a successful orator, publicist, advertising executive, and businessman, urging everyone to follow his example. Barton also wrote a legendary fundraising letter that was sent to 24 recipients and achieved a 100% response rate. As a businessman and writer, he collaborated extensively with Andrew Carnegie and Henry Ford, being the first to propose the use of advertising to promote their products. Five presidents owed their positions in part to Barton's assistance. In 1932, Barton developed several layouts and a series of social advertising texts against military actions, which were not published for political reasons.
Barton was widely known as a lecturer and the author of bestselling books dedicated to personal development and achieving success. He also wrote hundreds of articles for popular magazines, providing advice and inspiring readers to pursue the "American dream." His views greatly influenced the formation of American culture.
