Fried Logic

Our 65th Anniversary

This year, Howard, Merrell & Partners is proud to be celebrating its 65th anniversary. In honor of this special occasion, we’ll be sharing our wonderful history on the blog. We’ll post pictures and copies of our work over the years, as well as share stories from former and current employees, clients and friends. We look forward to hearing comments from folks near and far, new and old. Enjoy!

JT Howard Advertising was founded in 1945 by Jack Howard. Jack got his start selling advertising for the local paper in Oswego, NY. In 1938, he moved to Raleigh and joined the ad sales staff at The Raleigh Times. He later worked at the News & Observer. While he was working there, Jack began moonlighting and creating ads for some of his clients, who did not have in-house creative capabilities. Of course, when the News & Observer found out, he had a choice to make. Jack realized he could make more money creating the ads rather than selling them.

So, two days before his 30th birthday, Jack opened JT Howard Advertising Agency with two and a half employees. The agency’s first office was in an old photography dark room. The agency’s first desk was made from an old door – they set the door across an old sink, which was quite functional, as you could raise the door and use the sink as a filing cabinet.

Jack was able to get clients based on his reputation as an honest businessman. Early clients included Taylor’s, White’s Ice Cream and the Pine Street Creamery. At times, things were rough, but Jack ran the agency with integrity. He treated his staff like family – and to this day they remember that about him. Jack had a knack for hiring very talented professionals who were intelligent, detail-oriented and who cared deeply about the craftsmanship behind each and every job.

Today, Howard, Merrell & Partners works to maintain the virtues that the agency was built on – as you will learn in future installments of our history. Stay tuned….