BBDO advertising company established

George Batten founded the George Batten Company in 1891. The agency was innovative, establishing in-house printing. Bruce Barton and Roy Sarles Durstine established The Barton & Durstine Company in January 1919. When Alex Osborn joined the agency in July 1919, it was renamed Barton, Durstine & Osborn (BDO). They were the first agency to establish a radio department.

Both organizations merged with Barton, Durstine & Osborn to form Batten, Barton, Durstine & Osborn (BBDO). BBDO rapidly expanded, eventually becoming a major advertising firm with over 600 employees and branches in major cities.