A Foster & Kleiser billboard for Coca-Cola pictured in 1907 in Tacoma, Washington

Foster & Kleiser was an American advertising company founded in 1901 that grew into the "west coast's leading billboard company".[1][2] Among its notable employees was Maynard Dixon who credited his five years spent as a billboard painter at the company with helping prepare him as a muralist.[3] Another notable employee was Maurice Del Mue.[4] In the 1970s, many of the iconic billboards advertising new rock acts on Los Angeles' Sunset Strip were hand-painted by Foster & Kleiser artists, who worked from a "space the size of an airplane hangar".[5]

In 1952 Foster & Kleiser was purchased by W. R. Grace and Company.[6] Beginning in the 1980s, it would go through a number of name changes, sales, and acquisitions, becoming or being acquired by Metromedia, Patrick Media Group, Ackerley Group, and Eller Media.[7] In 1997, Eller Media was acquired by Clear Channel Outdoor.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 Gerard, Alexis (2005). Going Visual: Using Images to Enhance Productivity, Decision-Making and Profits. John Wiley & Sons. p. 129. ISBN 0471731757.
  2. ↑ Finch, Christopher (2012). Chuck Close: Life. Prestel Verlag. p. 238. ISBN 978-3641083410.
  3. ↑ Hagerty, Donald (2010). The Life of Maynard Dixon. Gibbs Smith. p. 123. ISBN 978-1423603795.
  4. ↑ "Marin County Artist Dies After Long Illness". Daily Independent Journal. Rafael, California. January 25, 1955. p. 7. Retrieved July 3, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ O'Neill, Claire (December 3, 2012). "A Brief History Of L.A.'s Billboard Art". NPR. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  6. ↑ "Grace Co., Buys Foster, Kleiser". San Mateo Times. 17 October 1952. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  7. ↑ International Directory of Company Histories, Vol. 9. St. James Press. 1994. p. 138.
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