Shell Answer Man

The Shell Answer Man was a series of television advertisements from the 1960s through the 1990s sponsored by Royal Dutch Shell in which answers were provided to common questions from the public about driving, with advice on vehicle maintenance, repair and safety, as well as guidance to users of home heating oil. Companion booklets, a series titled the Shell Answer Books, were inserted into major magazines and distributed as free giveaways at Shell gas stations.[1] The ads were aimed at typical drivers, helping inform them how to avoid wasting gasoline through such tips as not making jackrabbit starts, ensuring proper tire inflation, regular oil changes and proper basic maintenance of their vehicle, as well as guidance on how to get the most out of heating one's home.[2]

Shell Answer Man
AgencyOgilvy & Mather
ClientRoyal Dutch Shell
LanguageEnglish
MediaTelevision
Product
  • Vehicle maintenance
Release date(s)1960s
Slogan
  • Come to Shell for answers
Starring

The campaign was developed in the late 1960s for Shell by the advertising firm of Ogilvy & Mather, a relationship that would continue for nearly four decades. Print ads addressed other oil uses, such as touting the benefits of switching to an oil-powered hot water heater[3] and encouraging those using oil to heat their homes to ensure they have enough oil in their tank before the cold weather arrives.[4] By the time Shell ended the relationship in 1999, Ogilvy & Mather had 60 employees based in Houston, Texas largely dedicated to the Shell account, and when O&M closed the office in Houston it dropped other local accounts that it could no longer justify supporting.[5][6]

Actor and announcer Don Morrow appeared in the campaign in the 1960s, offering tips to drivers.[7] Actor Vince O'Brien landed the role of the Shell Answer Man in the late 1960s and 1970s, an opportunity he described in a newspaper interview as being "like hitting the state lottery." O'Brien's balding, mature appearance made him an effective authority figure in the campaign.[8] Actor Richard Anderson played the role of the Shell Answer Man in the 1970s and 1980s.[9]


Companion Booklets

There were 2 series of companion booklets published. Each booklet consisting of 4 two sided pages. [10]

Shell Answer Books (1976-82) Bold Numbers on upper left corner

01 The Early Warning Book - How you can spot some car problems before they cost big money. - by Russ Russo ©1976

02 The Breakdown Book - A shell survival manual for car trouble on the road - by Sandra Bundy ©1976

03 The Gasoline Mileage Book - How to save gasoline when you buy a car, drive a car, and take care of a car - by Dave Berry ©1977 [11]

04 The Car Buying and Selling Book - 11 Things you should know when you buy, sell or trade a car - by John P. Finsland ©1976

05 The 100,000 Mile Book - How to help your car do it, but not show it - by Norman Goldbeck ©1976

06 The Rush Hour Book - How America cuts the cost and headache of driving to work - by Stan Stocks ©1976[12]

07 The Driving Emergency Book - How to react to seven dangerous surprises while behind the wheel. - by Nancy Curry

08 - The Car Repair Shopping Book - What the driver and mechanic can do to take the hassle out of car repairs - by Howard Judson ©1977

09 The Car Crime Prevent Book - How to fight back before you get ripped off - by Al Brooks ©1977 [13]

10 - Car Fix-Up - How to make your car look better and hold its value longer - by A.D. (Buzz) Bazzarone ©1977

11  - The Foul Weather Driving Book - Safety tips you should know when Driving in rain, fog and snow - by Bruce Galbraith ©1977

12 - The Unexpected Dangers Book - Some car products are dangerous if used the wrong way, here are the right ways. - by Jerry Berger ©1978[14]

13 - The Emergency Repair Book - Simple things almost anyone can do to deal with car trouble on the Road - by Dick Hall  ©1978

14 - The Driving Skills Book - Are you as good a driver as you think? Test yourself. - by Carol Nau ©1978

15 The Accident Book - What to do if you see one, have one, or cause one ©1978[15]

16 - The Home Security Book.- Easy inexpensive ways to protect your home from intruders - by Dick LaFaver  ©1978

17 - The Self Service Book - Why self serve should be more than pumping your own gas - by Carroll Hansen ©1979

18 The Tune-Up Book - What one is, what one does, and how to get the best value

19 - The Gasoline Book - How to choose the right gasoline for your car and get the most out of it. - by John Bame ©1979

20 The Chemical Do's and Don'ts Book -

21 The Driving Hazards Book - How to open your eyes to potential accidents before they become real.

22 - The Home Energy-Saving Book - Some simple ways to help you save up to 50% on home energy. - by Sheldon Lambert ©1980

23 - The How your Car works Book - A guide to the understanding and care of your car - by Howard Schmitz ©1980

24 - The More Miles for Your Money Book - How you could cut your gasoline cost by $300 a year - or more. - by Larry Olejnik  ©1980

25 - The Energy Independence Book - How to help regain control of our energy future by finding more and using less - by Dr. Sheldon Lambert ©1981

26 The Conservation Bonus Book - How to spend part of your gasoline budget on things that are more fun.

27 - The Energy Countdown Book - How we can buy time until other energy sources are ready. - by Dr. Charles S. Matthews  ©1981

28

29 - The On-the-Spot Repair Book - How to deal with sudden car problems - yourself. - by Harry Jones ©1982

30 The First Aid On The Road Book - How you might save the life of an accident Victim

31 The Longer Car Life Book - How To Make It Last And Why

32 The Fire Safety Book - How To Prevent Fires At Home ©1982


Shell Answer Series (1990-91) Some unnumbered others numbered in small print[16]

01 The Emergency Repair Book - Simple ways to deal with car trouble on the road

02 The Environment Book - Protect your car and the environment

03 The Early Warning Book - How to keep your car healthy

04 - Driver's Security Tips - Guard against attack in and around your car - by Ray Bergeron ©1990 unnumbered

05 - Better Mileage Tips - How to get more miles per Gallon - by Bob Chapman © 1991 numbered

References
  1. Staff. "New Shell Oil Co. advertising campaign marks return of Shell Answer Man, answer booklets.", PR Newswire, March 8, 1990. Accessed June 22, 2010.
  2. Staff. "The Shell Answer Man and peak oil (parts 1 and 2)", Energy Bulletin, February 22, 2007. Accessed June 22, 2010.
  3. Advertisement. "Dear Shell Answer Man: How can I get more hot water faster", St. Petersburg Times, December 18, 1968.
  4. Advertisement. "Dear Shell Answer Man: Why should I buy heating oil now, Evening Independent, October 6, 1969.
  5. via Associated Press. "Ad firm, Shell agree to part ways", Dallas Morning News, November 18, 1999. Accessed June 22, 2010.
  6. Elliott, Stuart. "THE MEDIA BUSINESS: ADVERTISING; Three giant advertising agencies take actions to accommodate their growth in the global market.", The New York Times, November 15, 1999. Accessed June 22, 2010.
  7. Staff. "Moving Beyond the Spots; Cablers Are Using Innovative Strategies to Close the Broadcast Advertising Gap.", Television Week, January 19, 2004. Accessed June 22, 2010.
  8. Levin, Jay. "Character actor Vince O’Brien, 91, of Haworth dies", The Record (Bergen County), June 21, 2010. Accessed June 22, 2010.
  9. Staff. "Richard Anderson", Turner Classic Movies. Accessed June 22, 2010.
  10. Research done in May 2022 on auction sites like "ebay", as well as information taken from copies of actual books published by Shell. Also additional sources as noted.
  11. An electronic copy of books 1-3 can be downloaded from  "archive.org".
  12. An electronic copy of books 4-6 can be downloaded from  "archive.org".
  13. An electronic copy of books 7-9 can be downloaded from  "archive.org".
  14. "Shell Answer Book 12 The Unexpected Dangers Book". Scribd. 5 August 2021. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  15. An electronic copy can be found on "Scribd".
  16. Titles for 1-3 taken from page 8 of Better Mileage Tips - How to get more miles per Gallon - by Bob Chapman © 1991 Shell Oil Company, Info for 4-5 taken from physical copies of the books
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