Moss H. Kendrix
Moss Hyles Kendrix (March 8, 1917 – January 4, 1989)[1] was a public relations specialist. Of Kendrix’ various public relations and advertising campaigns, he is best known for his Coca-Cola company advertising in 1948.
Moss Hyles Kendrix | |
|---|---|
 (source from 'The Crisis' Nov. 1940) | |
| Born | March 8, 1917 Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Died | January 4, 1989 (aged 71) |
| Occupation | Public relations specialist |
| Alma mater | Howard University Morehouse College |
He educated corporations about African-American consumers' buying power through to designing various public relations and advertising campaigns for African-Americans such as news organizations, entertainers, and corporate clients including Carnation, the Ford Motor Company, and the Coca-Cola company.
Biography
Early life
Moss Kendrix was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on March 8, 1917. He spent the majority of his early life in Atlanta.
College
Kendrix entered into Morehouse College[2] and he served as the editor of the college newspaper The Maroon Tiger. He was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and he was co-founder of Phi Delta Delta Journalism Society.[3] It was the first society of its kind for African-American journalism students.
He transferred into Howard University School of Law in 1939. However, he went into workforce for work experience. At the same time, he married Dorothy Marie Johnson. They had two sons, Moss Kendrix, Jr. and Alan Kendrix.
Director
In 1941, Kendrix was drafted into the United States Army. He worked for the Treasury Department in the War Finance Office.[3] In 1944, he became a director of public relations for the Republic of Liberia's Centennial Celebration.[4] It excited his passion and interest, and was the start of his public relations career.
The Moss Kendrix Organization
At the same year, Kendrix founded a public relations firm named The Moss Kendrix Organization. The company motto, "What the Public Thinks Counts!" was also his mantra, which he embossed on the organization's letterhead. It was established in Washington, DC. Kendrix focused on accounts pursuing African-American consumers such as Carnation, National Dental Association, National Education Association, the Republic of Liberia and Ford Motor Company to name a few.
One of his career highlights was the acquisition of Coca-Cola as a client. He focused on marketing to African Americans, and worked with Coca-Cola until the 1970s.
Death
Kendrix died of a heart ailment on January 4, 1989, at his home in Washington.[5] He was married to Muriel Kendrix of Lexington, Massachusetts.
Literary career
The Crisis (Nov. 1940). ' Forums in Georgia '
References
Notes
- "Moss H Kendrix (b. 1917)". mooseroots.com. Moose Roots.
- Blaine J. Branchik and Judy Foster Davis, “Black Gold: A History of the African-American Elite Market Segment", Archived September 4, 2014, at the Wayback Machine (2007).
- Lattimore, Dan (2009). Public Relations: The Profession and the Practice. p. 37. ISBN 978-0073378879.
- Lattimore, Dan (2009). Public Relations: The Profession and the Practice. p. 39. ISBN 978-0073378879.
- "Moss H. Kendrix, 71, Dies; Owned D.C. Marketing Firm". highbeam.com. The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 20, 2018.
Citations
- The Museum of Public Relations : Moss Kendrix, The Museum of Public Relations
- "The Crisis". The New Crisis. The Crisis Publishing Company, Inc. November 1940. ISSN 0011-1422.