The story of McCann-Erickson began in New York City at the turn of the century.  

Alfred W. Erickson started The Erickson Company in 1902. Harrison King McCann opened his own advertising agency in 1911. In the late 1920s, McCann helped get the first "world brand" off the ground by opening agencies in London and Paris in 1927 and Berlin in 1928. Both agencies merged in the 1930’s.

Ever since McCann-Erickson has been the premier worldwide advertising agency system, operating in more countries, through more wholly owned agencies, than any of its competitors. Including in the Czech Republic, where McCann-Erickson has been an IPG entity since 1991.