The Departments series encompasses multiple departments within BBDO and the roles that each played in the agency. As BBDO grew and took on several clients in a particular field, they sought to establish a department that could be the expert and help lead the agency into greater success. This series includes smaller amounts of material from some of these departments. Departments include Accounting, Automotive, Communication Design Center, Computer Systems, Contract, Copy Research, Corporate Communications Group, Creative, Fashion, Filing, Food Staff, Information Resource Center, International Marketing Services Board, Kitchen, Legal, Library Research, Management Science, Marketing Information Services, Network Programming, Network Research Council, New Business, Outdoor, Pharmaceutical, Presentation, Production, Radio and TV Research, Special Markets, Television, Video Development Group, Trade and Industrial, and Traffic. The files are arranged alphabetically by department and generally consist of information about the departments, memoranda, articles, photographs, publications, and reports. It is not clear when some of these departments ceased to exist – and it is possible some still exist – whether it was because of reorganization, diminishing workloads, or the agency feeling they had a firm grasp on the topic.

The Contract Department dealt with space buying in advertising campaigns and selected the best types of media for certain campaigns, including radio, newspapers, and magazines.

The Creative Department implemented BBDO’s creative philosophy of first determining the prime prospect and then creatively using advertisements to show how the benefits of products can solve problems. It includes articles, publications, and information about the prime prospect activation analysis program.

The Fashion Department was established in 1952, at a time when fashion and fashion styling were first recognized as an essential factor in the power of an ad to appeal to or convince a consumer. It worked with fashion accounts and housed an enormous assortment of shoes, handbags, hats, and other accessories, in addition to garments.

The Filing Department consists of a manual and the standards of practice that explains the rules for routing and filing letters.

The Food Staff presentations started in 1941 as a way to give something back to the retail trade in return for past favors, such as cooperating in making retail studies. The Information Resource Center delivered research for clients, account management, and network agencies to help clients develop competitive business strategies.

The International Marketing Service Board (IMSB), which changed its name to the Network Research Council in 1986, was a yearly conference from 1981 to 1986. This conference often addressed the marketing research issues of the time and provided research updates to attendees through presentations and committee reports. The files are arranged chronologically and consist of tables of contents, conference agendas, attendees, committees, opening and closing addresses, and the specific topics that were presented during the conference. These topics include quantitative research, media research, new technologies, multinational services, new product development, corporate advertising, and information resource systems.

The Kitchen Department was responsible for the test kitchen, which helped produce advertising for food clients and serve food and beverages in the BBDO offices. It was established in 1930 and briefly published Kitchen News, which contained recipes from the test kitchen and other tips to enhance home economies.

The Library Research Department collected, appraised, and applied advertising research for clients and other departments through various forms of source materials. These department files include articles, information, memorandums, photographs, and the Special Libraries Association award. The department was formed in 1920.

The Management Science Department researched and prepared information for marketing management to improve their decision-making ability. The reports presented by the department were often based on surveys, models, and sales data and development. These files include departmental information, the new product marketing presentation, and reports. It was created as a department in 1971 under the guidance of Lewis Pringle.

The Marketing Information Services Department worked with clients to provide the specific services and planning necessary to solve marketing problems. Department information and structure, articles, memorandums, reports, and the IRC handbook are included in these files. Many of the reports discuss the tools and methods needed to resolve marketing issues.

The Network Programming Department files consist of a BBDO Newsletter Extra that discusses management shifts within the department and TV briefs that examines television usage and popular television programs.

The New Business Department includes a New Business News publication and the model-new business questionnaire.

The Outdoor Department incorporates memorandums and reports about the introduction of an official outdoor advertising department in Barton, Durstine and Osborn via the National Outdoor Bureau.

The Pharmaceutical Department was established in 1966 to bring the many modern services that BBDO could offer to a field that increasingly needed its services.

The Presentation Department was established in 1959 to work with BBDO employees to create superior presentations for their clients and prospects. Their work ranged from familiar charts to newer techniques that used slides and tape recorders.

The Productions Department advises in the copy, art, and production functions needed for the agency in general. Information about the department, production timetables, a production order form, committees, drawings, memorandums, and reports are within these department files.

The Special Market Department focused on marketing toward Black and Latinx consumers. Through understanding their preferences, BBDO could provide more targeted advertising for the consumer. Some of the research studies include ones related to primetime network and network television sports viewing preferences, skin and hair care products, and a general understanding of the market.

The Trade and Industrial Department files contain reports about the founding of the department and trade paper space.

The Traffic Department was set up to regulate the flow of work on print advertising from its inception in rough layout to its completion in plate form.