The Foundation of Newspaper and Magazine Advertising in America

When I started thinking of the foundation of print advertising, I saw it through the eyes of America. Research says that first American newspaper advertisement ran in The Boston News-Letter in 1704, begun by postmaster John Campbell. The newspaper advertisement was an announcement seeking a buyer for an estate on Oyster Bay, Long Island. At this time, the newspapers were heavily subsidized by the government and with little circulation were nearly a failure.

Two newspapers made their appearance in the 1720’s. Around 1729, a key figure in colonial American advertising was Benjamin Franklin who was the publisher of The Pennsylvania Gazette. Benjamin “changed advertising style by including simple illustrations to accompany the words” in his newspaper ads. Read More



In 1742 Benjamin Franklin printed the first American magazine ad which appeared in General Magazine. Benjamin Franklin was known as a key figure in American advertising who helped convince the public to buy his ideas as well as products in his magazine publications also. People say he was the saint of advertising. Resource

It is amazing when looking at the history of print advertising. My focus for this blog is America but it is important to note that America was behind the times in forms of print advertising in newspapers. For example, in the 17th century, advertisements began to appear in weekly newspapers in England (1625). In 1631 a French newspaper started carrying classified ads. Media History

Newspaper and magazine advertising are only two forms of advertising that started in America in the 18th century. I did not touch on clay tablets, word-of-mouth advertising, town carriers, notice boards, posters, enamel signs, and many other forms of advertising from BC to the 1900’s. I look forward to expanding my advertising blog to millenniums ago.

The History of "J - E - L - L - O"

This morning when I was getting ready, the television was playing in the background. I heard the newest JELL-O® commercial which peaked my interest in learning more about the new ad.

I decided to surf the web to see the commercial in its entirety. It was a bit difficult to find since it was not on the JELL-O web site – shame, shame. When I finally found it on YouTube, I watched the full commercial. I then started looking for JELL-O classic commercials and print advertising. I thought that people of my age group would be most familiar with JELL-O because of the Bill Cosby commercials that started running in 1974. I also thought that those were some of the first commercials produced. Boy was I wrong! (At the end of the article I go into detail on the history of JELL-O starting in 1845.)

Marketing of JELL-O gelatin started by running print ads in 1902 in publications such a Ladies’ Home Journal where JELL-O was branded as ‘America’s Most Famous Dessert’ (prepared in the tin mold).
The next form of marketing media was through the radio airwaves including entertainers such as Kate Smith and Lucile Ball promoting the JELL-O products. In addition, JELL-O sponsored the radio program, The Jack Benny Show, for 10 years.

Before Bill Cosby’s debut, television personalities including Andy Griffith and Gomer Pyle, pitched your “favorite dessert”, JELLO-O. JELL-O Instant Pudding commercials were advertised on six network television shows including the Mame, Our Miss Brooks, Red Buttons, Rocket Rangers, Roy Rogers and The Bob Hope Show.
JELL-O brands have been featured or mentioned in many Hollywood movies, including “Some Like it Hot with Marilyn Monroe, Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park and teamed up with the video release of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie. In addition, they have played parts in Kindergarten Cop, Corrina, Corrina, My Best Friend’s Wedding, The Muse, and Reindeer Games”.

Today JELL-O, owned by Kraft Foods, is used for almost anything you can imagine from gelatin to pudding to no bake desserts. Some examples are JELL-O molds, JELL-O pudding pop, JELL-O salads, additional dessert recipes, parties, wedding centerpieces, coins, art, and yes wresting. Currently there are more than 150 products that are sold under the JELL-O brand. Today with over “300 million boxes of JELL-O gelatin sold in the United States each year, it’s no wonder that JELL-O gelatin is ‘America’s Most Famous Dessert’.”

The timeline of JELL-O dates back to 1845, so below are brief points about the history:

1845: The industrialist, inventor and philanthropist Peter Cooper, of Tom Thumb obtained the first patent for a gelatin dessert.
1897: May Wait, a housewife from LeRoy, New York purchased the rights of an existing powdered gelatin and added sugar to the mix. The first fruit flavored gelatin flavors were strawberry, raspberry, orange and lemon.
1899: JELL-O was sold to Orator Francis Woodward, a neighbor, for $450.
1902: First JELL-O advertisement ran in Ladies’ Home Journal featuring smiling women in white aprons proclaiming JELL-O gelatin as “America’s Most Famous Dessert™"
1920’s: This time period of JELL-O gelatin advertising included some of the most beautiful food illustrations ever created by outstanding artists.
1923: JELL-O is the first sugar-free gelatin dessert
1950’s: Campaigns positioned JELL-O as a treat and a festive dessert to be served with pride.
1953: JELL-O gets celebrity backing and was promoted as “Busy Day Desserts,” stressing that it's never too late for real homemade desserts, and were advertised on six network television shows.
1971: JELL-O Pudding Treats were introduced
1974: Comedian Bill Cosby became the spokesperson for JELL-O pudding that last for 30 years.
1981: JELL-O® Gelatin Pops® were introduced
1990: JELL-O® JIGGLERS® debut
1996: JELL-O gelatin in space made news in June, the JELL-O® Museum opened in NY, and JELL-O advertised started in NYC Times Square

*Most of the information can be found http://bit.ly/meljel.