This graph line aims to show the gradual development of advertising agencies in Shanghai. Their number more than doubled in the 1920s, then reached a climax in the 1930, and started to decline during the war 1937-1945. Yet the role of advertising agencies as central actors in the advertising profession was well established. The decline is mainly due to the departure of foreigners during the war, especially after the United States entered the war in Dec 1941, and after the restitution of foreign settlements in 1943. In 1956, the number of agencies was drastically reduced from about 60 to only 4, through a process of merging summoned by the governement at a national scale.

The figures are based on the Shanghai Municipal Archives and other secondary sources (Bankers' Directory, 1933; Hong List, 1941; Morgan, 2003).

This graph line aims to show the rapid growth of Chinese advertising agencies in Shanghai and gradual catch-up process in the long-term. While foreign agencies were far more numerous until 1929, the number of Chinese advertising agencies more than doubled in the 1920s (from 9 in 1919 to 24 in 1929) and 1930s (from 24 in 1930 to 42 in 1937). Although they experienced a slight decline during the war 1937-1945, Chinese agencies eventually led the profession in Shanghai at the end of the period (36 Chinese vs. 23 Western, and only 8 Japanese). This was mainly due to the massive departure of foreigners after December 1941 and the restitution of foreign settlements in 1943. Despite a gradual growth (from 1 in 1919 to 8 during the war 1938-1943), Japanese agencies remained but a minority during the entire period.

The figures are based on the Shanghai Municipal Archives and other secondary sources (Bankers' Directory, 1933; Hong List, 1941; Morgan, 2003).

This bar chart aims to show the sinification process of the advertising profession in Shanghai. While foreign agencies represented 65% of all agencies in Shanghai in 1919, their share gradually declined in the long term 1919-1943. Though they still represented a short majority between 1919-1937, their share fell down to 35% at the end of the period (1938-1956). Their decline proved beneficial to Chinese agencies, whose share climbed from 30% in 1919 to almost 60% during the war 1938-1945. Japanese agencies remained a minority in Shanghai: an average of only 15% during the entire period, only 5% in 1915 (1 agency) and a maximum of 25% in the 1920s.

The figures are based on the Shanghai Municipal Archives and other secondary sources (Bankers' Directory, 1933; Hong List, 1941; Morgan, 2003).