How 'Rudolf' became the 'Red-Nosed Reindeer'

Washington, Dec 22 (ANI): It's a Christmas favourite with everyone - the song 'Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer' first came about as a publicity gimmick.

The Montgomery Ward department store, in 1939, asked one of its copywriters, 34-year-old Robert L. May, to create a story that could be given away to customers on Christmas, as a promotional gimmick.

The decision came about, as the store would also save costs if it created its own book.

In the first year of publication, the store sold 2.4 million copies of Rudolph's story, reports Discovery News.

May's brother-in-law, songwriter Johnny Marks, then incorporated the story into a song 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer', which was recorded by Gene Autry in 1949. (ANI)