Braun & Company Records, 1936-1988

Summary

Creators:

Braun & Company

Abstract:

The Braun & Company records span the years 1936 to 1988 and contain 13 cubic feet of textual records, as well as several media items, such as audiocassettes, film reels, and computer diskettes. Researchers interested in political strategy, especially in initiative campaigns, will find much of value in this collection. Many of the textual records are internal memoranda between Braun & Company and the various organizations and candidates for whom they worked. These memoranda often discuss campaign strategy, media planning, fundraising, and other important aspects of political campaigns.

Extent:

13 cubic feet

Language:

Languages represented in the collection: English

Background

Scope and content:

The Braun & Company records span the years 1936 to 1988 and contain 13 cubic feet of textual records, as well as several media items, such as audiocassettes, film reels, and computer diskettes.

Researchers interested in political strategy, especially in initiative campaigns, will find much of value in this collection. Many of the textual records are internal memoranda between Braun & Company and the various organizations and candidates for whom they worked. These memoranda often discuss campaign strategy, media planning, fundraising, and other important aspects of political campaigns.

Of particular interest in this collection are local initiatives in Los Angeles which helped finance the establishment of the 911 emergency call system (Charter Amendment 1 of 1977), repealed the city's "prevailing wage" statute for city workers' salaries (which failed as Proposition O in 1978 but succeeded in 1983 as Charter Amendment 1), and reformed pension systems for city police officers and firefighters (Proposition G of 1980 and Charter Amendment H of 1982).

In addition to specific initiatives, Braun & Company worked on a number of local issue campaigns, in which their goal was simply to raise awareness of the issue in question and influence public opinion. These included medical malpractice reform (1975-1976), rent control (1977-1979), school integration (1978), and no-fault auto insurance (1980).

Although Braun & Company played a role in (unsuccessfully) opposing Proposition 13, the Jarvis-Gann initiative of 1978, the files contained in this collection are minimal. However, researchers will find in-depth material on Proposition 4, the so-called "Spirit of 13" initiative promoted by Paul Gann in 1979; and Proposition 9, the "Jarvis II" income tax reduction initiative of 1980. Despite working for the Proposition 13 opposition, Braun & Company was hired by Gann in 1979 to help qualify Proposition 4 for the ballot; they successfully opposed Proposition 9, however.

Also of interest is Proposition 9 of 1982, which would have authorized construction of the controversial Peripheral Canal to carry water from Northern to Southern California. Although Proposition 9 was defeated overwhelmingly, receiving just 37 percent of the vote, the issue is still being discussed and is among the most heated debates in California. The Proposition 9 files should be of interest to those researching the politics of water.

Biographical / historical:

Braun & Company Business and Public Relations Consultants was founded in 1930 by T.W. Braun. Upon its incorporation as a California corporation in 1936, it listed its primary purpose as "to promote, manage, aid, advise and assist, financially or otherwise, corporations, copartnerships, joint stock companies, syndicates, trustees, associations and individuals..." By the 1970s, Braun listed its primary services offered as financial and investor relations, governmental relations, public affairs, business and marketing counsel, and media relations. The main offices of Braun & Company were located in Los Angeles, but other offices were in San Francisco, New York, and Washington, D.C. Among the prominent political consultants who worked for Braun & Company over the years was Herb Baus, cofounder of the Baus and Ross political consulting firm.

In politics, Braun & Company specialized in initiative campaigns; the first statewide initiative they worked on was Proposition 22 in 1936, and they continued for over fifty years. There was no noticeable ideological bent to which campaigns they chose; however, they were hired multiple times by organizations opposing local rent control policies, and favoring increased spending on emergency services such as police and firefighters.

The branch of Braun & Company assigned to political campaigns was formally known as Braun Campaigns, Inc.; however, in this collection the standard name Braun & Company is used.

Acquisition information:

The California State Archives acquired the records of Braun Company through a donation.

Physical location:

California State Archives

Rules or conventions:

Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:

Braun & Company
Campaign management

Location of this collection:

California State Archives

1020 "O" Street

Sacramento, CA 95814, US

Contact:

(916) 653-2246

reference@sos.ca.gov

Website