Foster, Walter

1871-1944

This history is from Clear Channel  Outdoor. https://company.clearchanneloutdoor.com/our-history/

W.R. Grace announces sale of Foster and Kleiser to Metropolitan Broadcasting Co.
Neon-embellished poster panels displayed in Los Angeles.
1956

F&K featured on KGO-TV’s, “Success Story,” in San Francisco.
Larger sized 30-sheet posters become popular.
F&K hosts OAAA’s 59th Annual Convention in Los Angeles.
1955
Sun reflecting “dancing discs” embellishment appears on Hamm’s beer bulletin in San Jose.
Gil Haynes retires. L.H. Odell becomes President.
1954
Jackman board along L.A.’s Wilshire Blvd. features new bulletin design—without molding and including cut-out extensions
1953
Sunset Strip bulletin for Sahara Hotel features swimming pool and live “bathing beauties.” Comedian Red Skelton leaps into pool to publicize opening of his Vegas act.
1952
George Kleiser dies.
Company sold to W.R. Grace Co.
Karl Eller begins outdoor advertising career joining F&K as real estate representative in Phoenix.
1951
50th anniversary observed
1950
Black light embellishments introduced, combining fluorescent paint and ultraviolet light
1949
Three-alarm fire destroys Oakland branch operating area
1948
New posting pickup trucks replace traditional closed-panel vehicles.
Coloring book published, featuring “Ad Andy in Outdoorland.” Copies distributed to schools throughout west coast.
Industrial Paint departments commissioned to paint murals for LA-area drive-in movie theaters.
1947
Gil Haynes becomes F&K president. Kleiser is Chairman of Board.
Industrial Painting and Decorating division begins. First assignment: paint Governor’s mansion in Sacramento.
OOH best practices guide, “Poster Design” by Walter Warde, distributed to clients, agencies, art schools and west coast libraries.
Construction department begins use of motor-driven mechanical posthole diggers.
Caladobe Brick department sold to J.E.Dietrich in Fresno.
1946
Ad Andy adopted as F&K company trademark character.
Loewy poster panel adopted as new 24-sheet structure.
Power-driven boom trucks developed to lift posting and paint sections into position on location.
1945
By end of World War II, total of 144 F&K employees deployed, with four killed in action.
Caladobe Department begins, producing and selling bricks for residential and commercial buildings.
LA Times bulletin wins top national award for beat media promotion. The board featured daily headlines swapped out as war news broke.
1944
Walter Foster dies.
Time Magazine features F&K wartime effort activities.
New posting procedure implemented, applying paste onto posters directly from the truck.
1943
Wartime activities expand to include manufacturing of boxes and containers for military shipments overseas.
Adobe brick production also begins at military request.
1942
Company World War II activities include recruiting, civilian defense and war bond promotions. Camouflage production for civilian and military projects begins.
Wartime coverage allotments in effect. Plans provide additional poster panels for each showing.
American inventor Lee de Forest helps develop device for powering down board illumination during air raid blackouts.
1941
F&K hosts OAAA’s Golden Anniversary Convention in Los Angeles
1939
F&K-produced model of the new San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge displayed at Worlds Fair in San Francisco
1938
Experimental 9-sheet units displayed in Los Angeles
1936
First traffic origin study completed at 9th & Alameda in Los Angeles
1935
Streamliners introduced—art deco bulletin structures with rounded molding
1934
F&K painters make hourly changes to the Dow on Montgomery St. in San Francisco
1933
F&K leads formation of Traffic Audit Bureau (TAB)
1932
Pontiac poster designed by F&K artist Otis Shepard judged Best Poster of 1932 by Chicago Art Directors.
Paramount Pictures unveils board on Wilshire Blvd. replete with live models, trumpet players and high-profile celebrities, including Harpo Marx and Marlene Dietrich.
1931
F&K plays decisive role in forming OAI national sales organization. Company extends complete recognition to general advertising agencies.
1930
Kleiser elected President of OAAA (serving 5 years).
Bulletin rotate service begins in Portland.
F&K “Garden Clubs of The Air” begin broadcasting on Sunday mornings over Don Lee-Columbia network radio.
Oxydol poster designed by F&K artist Marshall Reid nabs Best Poster honors by Chicago Art Directors.
Foster and Kleiser “Garden Clubs of The Air” begin broadcasting on Sunday mornings over Don Lee Columbia Pacific Coast Network radio.
Oxydol poster designed by F&K artist Marshall Reid judged Best Poster of 1930 by Chicago Art Directors.
1929
Traffic flow maps created, showing vehicular volume patterns in all major cities
1928
First tri-vision displayed, using triangular sections to display three different designs on single unit.
1927
Chicago sales office established.
Begin zone system with equalized poster showings and guaranteed net advertising circulation values in all markets.
1926
F&K now operating in 600 cities and towns in California, Oregon, Washington and Arizona
1925
New York sales office opens.
First 12×25 poster panels with green lattice installed.
Poster Advertising Association and Outdoor Advertising Associations merge. The two national trade organizations become Outdoor Advertising Association of America (OAAA).
1924
Acquire San Diego and Arizona territory from McClintock.
Billposting methods shift from long-handle posting to short handle.
1919
F&K service now covers six key markets in California, Oregon and Washington.
Company cited by President Woodrow Wilson and US War Department for outstanding service during World War I.
1918
Acquire Thomas H. B. Varney plants in Los Angeles and Bay Area
1917
Classic campaign for United States Tires, depicting a giant open book and directionals to early historical landmarks, begins.
Horticultural department created to maintain landscaping of deluxe bulletins.
Inventory mobilized for war service recruiting; boards rationed for Liberty Bond sales.
1916
“Illuminated” outdoor advertising begins on Market Street in San Francisco
1915
Acquire J. Charles Green plant in San Francisco and establish new headquarters there
1914
Kleiser elected vice president of Outdoor Advertising Association
1912
Conversion of horse-drawn wagons to mobile trucks begins
1911
Kleiser elected President of Associated Billposters and Distributors Association.
Company erects first individualized 10×25 24-sheet poster structure in US.
1910
F&K purchases first company motor vehicle.
Kleiser lobbies for national standardization of outdoor structures at Poster Advertizing Convention.
1909
Registered autos in the US: 400,000
1907
U.S. Population hits 87,000,000
1906
San Francisco earthquake and fire
1903
Wright brothers make first airplane flight
1901
Foster and Kleiser open for business in Portland, Oregon and Seattle
1900
Registered automobiles in the US: 8,000
1898
Walter Foster and George Kleiser meet in San Francisco. They become friends and soon consider idea of outdoor business partnership.
1897
Walter Foster begins selling outdoor advertising for Thomas H. B. Varney in Oakland, Ca.
1874
George Kleiser born June 25 in Cloverdale, California
1871
Walter Foster born September 30 in Vallejo, California

Another Foster and Kleiser link:  http://notablekleisers.blogspot.com/2007/08/foster-and-kleiser-outdoor-billboard.html