User:Robjenright

John (Jack) Maclaren July 6th, 1891 Belfountain,On Canada - July 11th 1955 was the founder of Maclaren Advertising one of Canada's largest ad agencies. Started in 1922 as a division of an American agency Campbell Ewald to service there general motors account which Jack managed. In 1935 with majority ownership he changed the name to Maclaren advertising. Under Jack's stewardship they added other accounts like General Electric, Heinz, Campbells soup, Canadian Dry, Canadian Meet Packers, the government of Canada among many other. The agency was also the first in the country to have a dedicated radio department (later TV). Jack was also close friends with Conn Smyth e the owner of the newly renamed Toronto Maple Leafs and often spent summers on lake Simcoe together. On one of these occasions in 1929 well playing golf they agreed that Jack would use his air time he acquired with CBC to broadcast Maple leafs games over the radio which he used to sell to sponsors like Imperial oil. In 1931 with opening of the new arena the Maple Leafs Gardens they started broadcasting the games calling it Hockey Night in Canada. During the 2nd world war he found his agency more involved in the effort helping with bond advertising among other. Post war saw a significant increase to his business until his sudden passing in 1955 well on vacation in Miami Florida. The agency was sold after his death and after many acquisition and mergers exist as McCann advertising today.