Difference between revisions of "Dodson, Craddock & Born"

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'''Dodson, Craddock & Born, Inc.''' was one of the oldest advertising agencies in Pensacola before its merger with [[Duncan McCall]] in [[2000]].
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{{Infobox Defunct Business
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|name=Dodson, Craddock & Born Advertising
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|logo=[[Image:DCB_Sign.jpg|140px|center|DC&B 1980 logo]]
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|image=DCB_GroupPortrait.jpg
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|caption=Pat Dodson, Patricia Thornton Born & Frank Craddock
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|type=
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|industry=Advertising
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|products=
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|services=
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|location=4711 [[Scenic Highway]] (1967)
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|established=[[1958]]
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|founder=[[Mayhew "Pat" Dodson]]
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|defunct=[[2000]]
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|fate= Merged with
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|successor=[[Duncan McCall Advertising]]
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|owner=
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|ownertitle=
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|employees=
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|revenue=$1.3 million (1999)<ref name="merger">"Ad agency merger draws on the best of old and new." ''Pensacola News Journal'', August 1, 2000.</ref>
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|income=
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|website=
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|slogan=
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|mapcode=
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}}
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'''Dodson, Craddock & Born Advertising''' ('''DC&B''') was the first full-service advertising agency in Pensacola.
  
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The agency was founded in [[1958]] by [[Pat Dodson]]. [[Frank Craddock]] and [[Patricia Thornton Born]], who had recently designed the now-iconic [[Pensacola Beach sign]], joined the firm in [[1961]], and they were incorporated by the state on [[May 1]], [[1962]].<ref name="sunbiz">[http://www.sunbiz.org/scripts/cordet.exe?action=DETFIL&inq_doc_number=258496&inq_came_from=NAMFWD&cor_web_names_seq_number=0000&names_name_ind=N&names_cor_number=&names_name_seq=&names_name_ind=&names_comp_name=DODSON&names_filing_type= SunBiz.org record]</ref>
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==Origins==
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The firm was founded in [[1958]] as the '''Pat Dodson Agency''' by ex-Marine captain [[Mayhew "Pat" Dodson]], who borrowed the $75 needed to buy a city license. He was joined that year by local artist [[Patricia Thornton Born]]. Their first office was located at 314 South [[Baylen Street]], a building that, according to rumors, was previously a brothel in the city's [[red-light district]]. The agency's initial clients included [[Mutual Federal Savings & Loan]], [[First National Bank of Milton]] and the [[Bank of Jay]].
  
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Some of its major clients included [[Westinghouse]], [[Champion International]], [[Landrum Staffing]] and a number of [[McDonald's]] franchisees, which they served for 27 years, longer than any other agency in the country.
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[[Frank Craddock]], returning home after serving as a bomber pilot in the [[Korean War]], joined Dodson and Born in [[1961]], reportedly asking (half-jokingly), "What's an ad agency?" They were incorporated by the state as '''Dodson, Craddock & Born, Inc.''' on [[May 1]], [[1962]].<ref name="sunbiz">[http://www.sunbiz.org/scripts/cordet.exe?action=DETFIL&inq_doc_number=258496&inq_came_from=NAMFWD&cor_web_names_seq_number=0000&names_name_ind=N&names_cor_number=&names_name_seq=&names_name_ind=&names_comp_name=DODSON&names_filing_type= SunBiz.org record]</ref>
  
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In [[2000]] the firm merged with [[Duncan McCall Advertising]], then a graphic design and photography firm specializing in brochures and catalogs. Under the terms of the agreement, the DC&B principals — Craddock, president [[Mary Nolan]] and vice-president [[Harriet Krippes]] — received a share of profits for three years following the merger. A voluntary dissolution was filed on [[May 6]], [[2004]].<ref name="sunbiz"/>
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==Growth==
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The young agency soon acquired clients including the [[Santa Rosa Island Authority]], [[Spearman Brewery]], Pensacola's [[Municipal Advertising Board]], plus several smaller businesses. One of their most recognizable projects was the neon [[Pensacola Beach sign]], designed by Pat Born, that stands near the [[Bob Sikes bridge]]. As art director and vice president of the agency, Born was selected Ad " Man"  of the year by her peers in [[1960]] and also won the area's first [http://www.aaf.org/default.asp?id=110 Silver Metal Award] sponsored by the American Advertising Federation and Printer's Ink magazine.
  
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==References==
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In [[1962]] the agency began a partnership with the regional [[McDonald's]] restaurants that lasted for 26 years. Among the employees who joined the agency shortly thereafter were media buyer [[Mary Nolan]], copywriter (and later national columnist) [[Charley Reese]], and TV/radio producer [[Harriet Krippes]].
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{{refbegin}}
 
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Dodson, Craddock & Born Advertising was Pensacola’s first full service advertising agency. Mayhew "Pat" Dodson, ex-Marine Captain, founded the advertising company in 1958 as the Pat Dodson Agency, borrowing the $75 needed to buy a city license. He was joined that year by local artist Patricia Thornton Born. Their first office was located at 314 S. Baylen Street. According to Pat Born it was rumored to have once housed a well-known brothel. Initial clients included Mutual Federal Savings & Loan, First National Bank of Milton and the Bank of Jay.
 
  
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[[Image:DCB_GroupPortrait.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Mayhew "Pat" Dodson, Patricia Thornton Born and Frank Craddock]]
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The growing agency made several moves to different quarters in the [[Seville Square Historic District]], which Dodson was instrumental in helping to preserve. They finally built new offices at 4711 [[Scenic Highway]] in [[1967]]. Through the years the agency served a wide variety of clients including financial, health care, fine restaurants and auto parts. Their industrial clients including the [[St. Regis Paper Company]], [[Champion Paper]], [[International Paper]] and [[Westinghouse]].
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[[Image:DCB_Sign.jpg|200px|thumb|left|1980 logo]]
 
  
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One of their most famous and popular projects was the neon billboard that leads the way to Pensacola Beach. Designed by Pat Born, in the early 1960s the giant billboard features a neon billfish that lures tourists to Florida's Pensacola Beach. Recent talk of replacing the historic sign with one more up to date brought out vocal defenders who managed to save the billfish from an ignoble fate.
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After the passing of Pat Dodson in [[1975]], Frank Craddock assumed the presidency of the agency, a position he held for 25 years.
  
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In 1961 Frank Craddock, returning home after serving as a bomber pilot in the Korean War, joined Dodson and Born to incorporate as Dodson, Craddock & Born Advertising. Only half joking, Frank was heard to ask at the time, "What's an ad agency?"  He soon found out as the young agency acquired the Santa Rosa Island Authority, Spearman Brewery, Pensacola's Municipal Advertising Board, plus several smaller businesses. As Art Director and Vice President of the agency, Pat Born was selected Ad " Man" of the year by her peers in 1960 and also won the first Advertising Silver Metal Award sponsored by the Advertising Federation of America and Printer's Ink magazine
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==Merger==
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In [[2000]], Craddock retired and Mary Nolan became president of the agency. That year, the firm merged with [[Duncan McCall Advertising]], then a graphic design and photography firm specializing in brochures and catalogs. Under the terms of the agreement, the DC&B principals — Craddock, Nolan and vice-president Harriet Krippes — received a share of profits for three years following the merger.<ref name="merger"/> Mary Nolan remained a media director with the Duncan McCall firm.
  
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In 1962 a call came from McDonalds Corporation which led to 26 years of continuous advertising and public relations service to one of America's largest corporations. Mary Nolan joined the agency as medial buyer. She perfected her media buying skills by attending yearly seminars held at the McDonalds headquarters in Oakbrook, Illinois . Other employees of note were national columnist Charlie Reese who wrote copy for the agency, and Harriet Krippes who directed radio and television commercials for more than a quarter century.
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A voluntary dissolution was filed for DC&B on [[May 6]], [[2004]].<ref name="sunbiz"/> Original artwork, historic photographs, business plans, brochures, newspaper ads, etc. are archived in the Special Collections department of the [[University of West Florida]]'s [[John C. Pace Library]]. This Dodson, Craddock & Born Collection is maintained by the university as a resource for advertising students and those interested in researching the history of a particular company through its advertising.
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The growing agency made several moves to different quarters in Pensacola's historic district, which Dodson was instrumental in helping to preserve They finally built new offices at 4711 Scenic Highway in 1967. Through the years the agency served a wide variety of clients including financial, health care, fine restaurants, auto parts, and such industries as St. Regis Paper Company, Champion Paper, International Paper and Westinghouse. After the passing of Pat Dodson, Frank Craddock assumed the presidency of the agency, a position he held for 25 years.
 
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In the year 2000 after more than forty years in business, DC&B joined forces with Duncan McCall Agency. Under the direction of Michael Duncan and Bryan McCall, the new larger agency continues the long tradition of providing advertising services to clients from both agencies. Mary Nolan who rose to President of DC&B after the retirement of founding partner Frank Craddock, serves to this day as Media Director of Duncan McCall Advertising.
 
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Original artwork, historic photographs, business plans, brochures, newspaper ads, etc., are archived in the Special Collections Unit of the University of West Florida Library. This Dodson, Craddock & Born Collection is maintained by the University as a resource for advertising students and those interested in researching the history of a particular company through its advertising. Learn more about the collection by contacting the University of West Florida.
 
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Or drive east on Highway 98 to view the neon billfish still pointing the way to Pensacola Beach. A legacy from Dodson, Craddock & Born Advertising, Pensacola's first advertising agency.
 
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By Harriet Krippes
 
  
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==References==
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{{refbegin}}
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*DC&B history by Harriet Krippes
 
{{refend}}
 
{{refend}}
 
{{reflist}}
 
{{reflist}}
  
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[[Category:Advertising & marketing agencies]]
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[[Category:Advertising & marketing agencies]] [[Category:Defunct businesses]]

Latest revision as of 14:16, 16 April 2009

Dodson, Craddock & Born Advertising
DC&B 1980 logo
Pat Dodson, Patricia Thornton Born & Frank Craddock
Pat Dodson, Patricia Thornton Born & Frank Craddock
Industry Advertising
Location 4711 Scenic Highway (1967)
Established 1958
Founder Mayhew "Pat" Dodson
Defunct 2000
Merged with Duncan McCall Advertising
Gross revenue $1.3 million (1999)[1]

Dodson, Craddock & Born Advertising (DC&B) was the first full-service advertising agency in Pensacola.

Origins[edit]

The firm was founded in 1958 as the Pat Dodson Agency by ex-Marine captain Mayhew "Pat" Dodson, who borrowed the $75 needed to buy a city license. He was joined that year by local artist Patricia Thornton Born. Their first office was located at 314 South Baylen Street, a building that, according to rumors, was previously a brothel in the city's red-light district. The agency's initial clients included Mutual Federal Savings & Loan, First National Bank of Milton and the Bank of Jay.

Frank Craddock, returning home after serving as a bomber pilot in the Korean War, joined Dodson and Born in 1961, reportedly asking (half-jokingly), "What's an ad agency?" They were incorporated by the state as Dodson, Craddock & Born, Inc. on May 1, 1962.[2]

Growth[edit]

The young agency soon acquired clients including the Santa Rosa Island Authority, Spearman Brewery, Pensacola's Municipal Advertising Board, plus several smaller businesses. One of their most recognizable projects was the neon Pensacola Beach sign, designed by Pat Born, that stands near the Bob Sikes bridge. As art director and vice president of the agency, Born was selected Ad " Man" of the year by her peers in 1960 and also won the area's first Silver Metal Award sponsored by the American Advertising Federation and Printer's Ink magazine.

In 1962 the agency began a partnership with the regional McDonald's restaurants that lasted for 26 years. Among the employees who joined the agency shortly thereafter were media buyer Mary Nolan, copywriter (and later national columnist) Charley Reese, and TV/radio producer Harriet Krippes.

The growing agency made several moves to different quarters in the Seville Square Historic District, which Dodson was instrumental in helping to preserve. They finally built new offices at 4711 Scenic Highway in 1967. Through the years the agency served a wide variety of clients including financial, health care, fine restaurants and auto parts. Their industrial clients including the St. Regis Paper Company, Champion Paper, International Paper and Westinghouse.

After the passing of Pat Dodson in 1975, Frank Craddock assumed the presidency of the agency, a position he held for 25 years.

Merger[edit]

In 2000, Craddock retired and Mary Nolan became president of the agency. That year, the firm merged with Duncan McCall Advertising, then a graphic design and photography firm specializing in brochures and catalogs. Under the terms of the agreement, the DC&B principals — Craddock, Nolan and vice-president Harriet Krippes — received a share of profits for three years following the merger.[1] Mary Nolan remained a media director with the Duncan McCall firm.

A voluntary dissolution was filed for DC&B on May 6, 2004.[2] Original artwork, historic photographs, business plans, brochures, newspaper ads, etc. are archived in the Special Collections department of the University of West Florida's John C. Pace Library. This Dodson, Craddock & Born Collection is maintained by the university as a resource for advertising students and those interested in researching the history of a particular company through its advertising.

References[edit]

  • DC&B history by Harriet Krippes
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Ad agency merger draws on the best of old and new." Pensacola News Journal, August 1, 2000.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 SunBiz.org record
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