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This Month in History: 1984 Olympics

November 27, 2024

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Dec. 14, 1981: Johnson Controls buys TV advertising to run during the Olympics games

The journal EDP Weekly announced on December 14, 1981 that Johnson Controls signed an agreement with the ABC television network to purchase national advertising during the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The agreement specified a series of thirty-second spots running between July 27 and August 13, 1984 for approximately $3.5 million. This would be the first time the Company advertised on television.

This would be the first time Johnson Controls advertised on television.

According to the article, "the decision is regarded as a unique move for the billion-dollar supplier of automated building controls, automotive batteries and industrial process systems." Fred Brengel, CEO of Johnson Controls, stated that " ... the advertisements would be used to help reach the broad base of potential customers in the U. S. and overseas." He added " ... the opportunity will also serve to inform the public about, and build name recognition for, the entire corporation."

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