Series VIII: Marketing and press, 1978 - 1996
Scope and Content Note
This series contains marketing and press materials including marketing planning; development of catalogs, advertisements, and promotions; press coverage; product marketing; display; and general marketing.
Materials include notes, correspondence, reports, graphic design materials (paste-ups, proofs, tear sheets), writings, transparencies, photos, price lists, advertisements, newsletters, articles, press kits, and slides.
Materials transferred to the library include those from The Trade Show Review, Hobby Merchandiser, and Origins XI 1985 (program book).
Note that marketing materials related to specific game titles are arranged in Series V: Game development and additional advertisement materials are arranged with Series VI: Graphic design.
Dates
- Creation: 1978 - 1996
Creator
- From the Collection: Bromley, Darwin Paul (Person)
- From the Collection: Bromley, Peter Yarwood (Person)
- From the Collection: Mayfair Games, Inc. (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access
Access to portions of this collection have been restricted. These documents will not be open for research use until the year 2042; they are denoted as such in this finding aid and are separated from unrestricted files. Access to media and digital materials requires advance notice. Currently, access to data cartridges/cassettes, and some floppy disks due to formatting is unavailable; it is possible that certain other formats may be inaccessible or restricted.
Historical Note
The “Freedom of Choice” promotional campaign, in box 138, folder 8, was claimed to be in breach of agreement according to the TSR Inc. v. Mayfair Games, Inc. lawsuit, in addition to other products. The campaign started in late 1991 and including non-complying language stating that the Role Aids products “were for use with any role-playing game.” Mayfair Games realized the mistake in April 1992 and promptly stopped using the promotion, however, any attempts at recalling the “Freedom of Choice” materials were viewed as futile. Similarly, Role Aids Witches and Lizardmen also contained similar language not in compliance with the agreement.
Extent
From the Collection: 132.6 Linear Feet (This collection is housed in 199 archival document boxes, 5 rolled storage boxes, 7 oversized boxes, and 18 additional archival media boxes, with additional oversized folders stored in 4 map case drawers.)
From the Collection: 512.1 Megabytes
Language of Materials
English
Repository Details
Part of the Brian Sutton-Smith Library and Archives of Play at The Strong Repository
The Strong
One Manhattan Square
Rochester NY 14607 USA
585.263.2700
585.423.1886 (Fax)
library@museumofplay.org