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By Chloe Attrell
Collection Overview
Title: Forest Linton Papers
ID: 26/20/273
Extent: 4.0 cubic feet
Date Acquired: 01/01/2025
Subjects: Advertising, Computer Software, Fraternity Alumni, Interfraternity Council, Sigma Phi Epsilon
Languages: English, Japanese
Scope and Contents of the Materials
Papers of Forest Linton (1968-2002; B.S. Advertising, 1993). Contains papers and materials concerning his business activities (Hobbico, Forlin Publishing and Greek Guide, Koyosha Graphics, and Microsoft Japan), his articles published in Excellence (1989), Computing Japan (1994-1998), and Internet User (1995-1996) magazines, scrapbooks assembled by his mother (Norma Linton; see the Norma J. Linton Papers, Record Series 26/20/279) which document Forest’s professional activities, as well as personal papers which include correspondence, photographs, journals from his childhood through his adulthood.
This collection is organized into three series. Series 1: Professional Life - U.S. contains 3 sub-series, all arranged alphabetically: 1. Early Career and Professional Activities, 2. Forlin Publishing: Administration, Business Activities, and Plans, and 3. Forlin Publishing: Greek Guide. Series 2: Professional Life - Japan contains 5 sub-series, all arranged alphabetically: 1. Japan Job Search and Business Notes, 2. Koyosha Graphics, 3. Microsoft Japan, 4. Forest’s Columns in Japanese Publications, and 5. Japanese Publications with Advertisements, Articles, and Interviews Featuring Forest. Series 3: Personal Papers is arranged chronologically.
Collection Historical Note
Born in 1968, Forest Linton was a local of Urbana, Illinois, and received his B.S. in Advertising from the University during the winter of the 1992-1993 academic year. He was the son of fellow University of Illinois alumna and employee, Norma Linton. While attending the University of Illinois, he financed most of his tuition and living expenses by working various jobs and opening his own business, Forlin Publishing. Through this company he published “Greek Guide” from 1990-1993, which was a directory for students involved in Greek Life. He was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon and served on the Advertising Committee of the Inter-Fraternity Council.
After graduating, Linton moved to Japan to work in software technology. By 1994, he began working for Koyosha Graphics. He published monthly columns in Computing Japan from 1994-1998, and in Internet User Magazine from 1995-1996, reporting about emergent software technologies and internet phenomena. He then worked for Microsoft Japan from 1996-2002. While at Microsoft, he had a significant role in the marketing and business development of Internet Explorer 4.0 in Japan. He received multiple awards for his accomplishments at Microsoft, including awards and gifts directly from Bill Gates. He additionally served as vice chairman of the Japanese Internet Advertisers Association and on the Board of Directors of CarPoint KK.
Subject/Index Terms
Box and Folder Listing
Browse by Series:
[Series 1: Professional Life: United States, 1976, 1985-1994],
[
Series 2: Professional Life: Japan, 1993-2002],
[
Series 3: Personal Papers],
[
All]
- Series 1: Professional Life: United States, 1976, 1985-1994
- This series contains three sub-series, all pertaining to Linton's professional life and business activities in the United States. While studying at the University of Illinois, he financed his education and living expenses by working various jobs and starting business initiatives usually under the Forlin company, which he founded. Contents within this series contain records pertaining to these business activities. Sub-series therein are arranged alphabetically.
- Sub-Series 1: Early Career and Professional Activities, 1976, 1985-1993
- Box 1
- Folder 1: Article and Writing on Porsches, 1988-1989
- Folder 2: "Book" Notes: Mail-Order Business Guide, 1988
- Folder 3: Business Ideas and Plans: University Marketing Systems, Student Marketing Systems, Student Entrepreneurial Consulting, and Market Link, 1990-1992
- Folder 4: Collected Business-Related Articles of Interest, 1985, 1989-1993
- Folder 5: Early Business Ideas and "Brainstorming" Notes, 1988-1992
- Folder 6: Excellence: A Magazine about Porsche Cars - Features Article by Forest, 1989
- Folder 7: Great Planes Model Distributors: Letters of Recommendation, 1989-1990
- Folder 8: Hobbico, 1986-1993
- Folder 9: Hobbico Scrapbook, 1976, 1988-1990
- Folder 10: Job Search Correspondence and Resume Draft, 1992-1993
- Folder 11: Model Motion: Radio-Controlled Model Porsches (1 of 2), 1987-1989
- Folder 12: Model Motion: Radio-Controlled Model Porsches (2 of 2), 1987-1989
- Folder 13: Premium Brands: Budweiser Business Correspondence and Marketing Plans, 1989-1990
- Folder 14: Small Business Consulting of University of Illinois: Proposals, 1992
- Folder 15: University Marketing Systems: Cash Card Discount Club, 1992-1993
- Sub-Series 2: Forlin Distributing and Publishing: Administration, Business Activities, and Plans, 1989-1993
- Box 1
- Folder 16: Forlin Distributing: Forlin Tools "Spot Rot", 1989-1990
- Folder 17: Forlin Distributing: Pride Productions Spring Break T-Shirts, 1989-1990
- Folder 18: Forlin Distributing Photography Service: "Forest the Photographer", 1989
- Folder 19: Forlin Distributing: University Sportswear Corp. v. John Hu and Forest Linton, 1990-1991
- Folder 20: Forlin Gaming Commission: Blackjack, 1991-1992
- Folder 21: Forlin Publishing: Advertising and Expenses, 1990-1993
- Folder 22: Forlin Publishing Business Registration, 1991
- Folder 23: Forlin Publishing: "The Menu Magazine" Dining Guide, 1993
- Folder 24: Forlin: Summaries, 1992
- Sub-Series 3: Forlin Publishing: Greek Guide, 1989-1994
- Box 1
- Folder 25: Greek Guide, 1990-1991
- Folder 26: Greek Guide, 1992
- Folder 27: Greek Guide, 1993-1994
- Folder 28: Advertising and Status Reports, 1990
- Folder 29: Business Papers, 1990-1992
- Folder 30: Business Papers, 1990-1993
- Folder 31: Contracts, Finances, and Sale, 1991-1993
- Folder 32: Directories and Guides, 1990-1993
- Folder 33: Early Plans and Promotion, 1990
- Folder 34: Expansion and Franchise Plans, 1990-1992
- Folder 35: Expansion Plans: Submitted for Business Administration 346 Course, 1991
- Folder 36: Non-Competition Agreements and Franchising, 1990-1991
- Folder 37: Trademark Registration, 1991-1993
- Folder 38: Greek Life Survey and Directories, 1991
- Folder 39: Photographs of Greek Guide "Office", ca. 1989-1993
- Folder 40: Student Marketing Systems, Inc.: Greek Guide National Expansion Business Plan, 1990-1991
Browse by Series:
[Series 1: Professional Life: United States, 1976, 1985-1994],
[
Series 2: Professional Life: Japan, 1993-2002],
[
Series 3: Personal Papers],
[
All]
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