JWT celebrates 150 years of global creative manifestation
JWT celebrated its 150thanniversary in 2014, marking an epoch in its rich,expansive history. Anniversary celebrations reached a zenith as the year drew to a close, with the global agency’s worldwide networkcommemorating its 150th yearwith yearlong activations and innovative events.
JWT Colombo partook in the global celebrations with a night of fellowship, food and festivity. “It’s an exciting time to be a part of the advertising world. JWT’s journey in Sri Lanka has been a remarkable one thanks to the strength and enthusiasm of our people and our rewarding relationships with our clients,” said Joy Chauhan, President of JWT Colombo. “During 2015, we hope to draw from the strength of our global network while further investing in our digital capabilities. This will enable clients to reap the benefits of partnering with a fully global advertising company and cater to Sri Lanka’s rapidly growing and evolving business landscape,” he added.
The endowment of the Helen Lansdowne Resor Scholarship for female creative persons in developing countries, the unveiling of an interactive historical timeline (https://www.jwt.com/history/) and a curated content series featuring the agency’s best stories around the world were some of the activities which took place globally.
Hailed as the ‘university of advertising’ and having nurtured some of the leading names in Sri Lanka’s advertising industry, JWT Colombo was established in 1981 and has grown over the years to cater to client’s needs amidst a shifting business landscape. The company expanded its offerings with the launch of Contract Advertising, an integrated and independent communications agency specializing in advertising, consulting, design and digital, and THING —a communications integration agency that ensures the seamless integration of other communication disciplines such as PR, design, digital and activation.
Started in 1864 by J. Walter Thompson, a young Civil war marine whose zeal for adventure, keen sense of innovation and business acumen proved to be a serendipitous combination, JWT acted as a catalyst in laying the foundation for advertising in the business world. A perennial pioneer, the spirit of J. Walter Thompson’s innovation and trailblazing vision is what drives the agency to this very day and fuses a network of 10000 employees, spanning 200 offices in 90 countries. Over the years, JWT has carved a niche for having some of the longest-standing clients in the industry, thus evolving into Brand Custodians, deeply intertwined with their client’s DNA and historical identity. Imbibing the essence of its founder’s tenets, JWT has pioneered a plethora of firsts globally, from producing the first-ever TV commercial in 1939 to sending a Kitkat into space.
