Loading...
Loading...
Advertising Hall of Fame, The One Club Creative Hall of Fame, Albert Lasker Award for Lifetime Achievement in Advertising from the American Association of Advertising Agencies, Named one of the "50 Who Made a Difference" by Advertising Age, Named one of the "Pioneers of Advertising" by the AAF, CEBA (Communications Excellence to Black Audiences) Awards, Featured in "The HistoryMakers" – a PBS documentary series profiling significant figure in American history.
"We're all imbued with creative juices. Squeeze the juice. Don't let anything get left behind."
Tom Burrell didn’t just make ads—he changed the conversation. As founder of Burrell Communications, he redefined how brands spoke to African Americans and how they were seen by brands. His revolutionary insight—“Black people are not dark-skinned white people”—became a cultural and creative awakening, inspiring generations of marketers to tell authentic stories rooted in truth, not tokenism. Over five decades, Burrell built one of the most influential multicultural agencies in history, shaping campaigns for Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Procter & Gamble, and more. His work celebrated identity, elevated representation, and helped reshape the American advertising landscape itself. Burrell’s groundbreaking contributions have earned him induction into the American Advertising Federation Hall of Fame, the One Club Creative Hall of Fame, and numerous lifetime achievement awards. His story and philosophy have been featured in The HistoryMakers series on PBS and his acclaimed book, Brainwashed: Challenging the Myth of Black Inferiority. A visionary, author, and cultural trailblazer, Tom Burrell proved that advertising could be more than persuasive—it could be profoundly transformative.
Founder, Chairman & CEO
1971-2004
How Tom Burrell approaches creative challenges
Burrell's creative approach is rooted in deep sociological and cultural inquiry. He rejects the "one-size-fits-all" general market strategy, instead insisting on finding a unique, resonant truth within the target culture. His methodology involves moving beyond surface-level observations to uncover the values, traditions, language, and aspirations that define a community. He calls this "positive realism"—portraying people not just as they are, but with the dignity, joy, and aspirational qualities that reflect their true spirit. Every idea must pass a simple test: Does it affirm the consumer's identity and build a genuine, respectful connection?
Start creating legendary campaigns today with your AI-powered creative director.