The history of McCann Erickson

The history of McCann Erickson

Our story begins back at the turn of the last century when Alfred Erickson opened an advertising agency in Manhattan. A decade later Harry McCann opened his own agency with its credo of 'Truth Well Told'. The two shared a common belief that advertising should only be about one thing: creating demand. So, in 1930 the two agencies merged. Together, the newly formed McCann Erickson would expand to 'stir desire and impel action' for clients around the world, in 160 cities and 111 countries.

In the UK, our story began in 1927 when the London office was opened. This is now the hub of McCann Erickson's European network and Britain's biggest regional network - of which Bristol is a key office.

Today we offer expertise in Brand and Direct Response advertising, Public Relations, Brand Identity, Relationship Marketing, Events and Promotions, Interactive marketing and Media Services.

Let our McCann Erickson history timeline tell you more - and remind you of some of the memorable work McCann has produced for our clients through the decades.

1900s

  • Wright brothers first flight
  • San Francisco earthquake
  • Queen Victoria dies

Alfred Erickson starts his own agency in New York with Fiat cars as one of its earliest clients.

1910s

  • Titanic sinks
  • First World War

Harry McCann opens the HK McCann agency. Introduces the credo of 'Truth Well Told'. Early clients include Standard Oil.

1920s

  • The roaring 20's
  • Wall Street crash

McCann opens offices in London. Beech Nut chewing gum are among first UK clients.

1930s

  • Empire state building finished
  • Amelia Earhart flies solo over Atlantic

McCann and Erickson merge to create a new multi-million pound international agency.

1940s

  • Second World War

The new McCann Erickson goes from strength to strength, opening new offices and winning new clients such as Nestle.

1950s

  • TV becomes mainstream
  • Rock and roll and teenagers are born

We become the first agency to bill more than $100 million in TV and radio airtime. Clients capitalising on TV include Del Monte.

1960s

  • The swinging sixties
  • The Beatles
  • JFK is assassinated
  • Neil Armstrong lands on the moon

Our Esso Tiger makes its first appearance - to 'put a tiger in your tank'.

1970s

  • Colour TV launched
  • Flower power protests against Vietnam war
  • The first video recorders appear
  • The start of the 'blockbuster' film era
  • Rock becomes disco becomes punk

We 'teach the world to sing' on behalf of Coca Cola.

1980s

  • Recession grips the UK
  • Mrs Thatcher leads the nation
  • New romantics and shoulder pads appear
  • Rubik's cube and aerobics arrive

We captivate the whole of Britain with a Gold Blend love story.

1990s

  • The rise of the yuppie
  • The Worldwide web launches
  • Brit pop and New Labour herald a new, more optimistic century

McCann UK extends its regional network by opening McCann Erickson Bristol. We establish ourselves as the most award-winning agency in the South West with work for Vision Express, Hall & Woodhouse Breweries, Greene King, Galaxy Radio, Cancer Research and Bristol Evening Post.

Meanwhile, London's 'I can't believe it's not butter' turns a TV ban into a print marketing triumph

World Group brings all the networks individual marketing experts together into one coordinated global unit to meet the changing needs of clients

By the end of the decade we have become the UK's largest agency group (Campaign Magazine 2000).

2000s

  • World Trade Centre attacked
  • Reality TV and 'Celebrities' appear everywhere
  • Sudoku is the new craze
  • The world gets credit crunched

Mastercard gets a 'priceless' example of demand creation on a global scale.

Meanwhile McCann Erickson Bristol rebrands itself as a Communications House, offering truly integrated marketing under one name and one roof. Clients reaping the rewards include Goodyear, Kodak, Brut, In Retirement Services, Can-AM, and Badger Ales.