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Burrell Communications Group L.L.C. is a diverse and full-service American Advertising Agency. Founded by Chairman Emeritus Tom Burrell, and headquartered in Chicago, IL, Burrell Communications is one of the largest Multi-Cultural marketing firms in the world. Some of the company’s work was thought to be so culturally relevant that it is now housed as part of a collection in the Library of Congress. Burrell Communications is now under the leadership of Co-CEOs Fay Ferguson and McGhee Osse Williams, CCO Lewis Williams and Donald Moore, President of Burrell Digital.

History
Burrell Communications was founded in 1971 by Tom Burrell and then Partner, Emmett McBain. The company was established with the intention of forging an authentic and respectful relationship with the African American consumer, and to tap into how the Black Aesthetic could also appeal to the general market consumer. It was at this time that Tom Burrell coined the phrase, “Black people are not dark-skinned white people.” Recognizing that there existed inherent cultural differences, and the fact that these differences drove patterns of consumption, became a driving force and inspiration for future ad campaigns at Burrell.

1971-73—Burrell Communications quickly establishes itself as a leading shop for African American -focused communications. Beginning with the creation of the Black Marlboro Man for Philip Morris, accounts quickly expanded to include marquis brands McDonald's and Coca-Cola.

1974—Emmet McBain leaves the agency, and it is renamed Burrell Advertising

1975-80—Burrell’s business grows steadily, garnering acclaim in particular for its work on Coca-Cola and McDonald's campaigns. The Coke commercial entitled “Street Song” wins Burrell its first Clio Award. By 1979, Burrell tops $10 Million in billings per annum, making it one of the most successful multi-cultural advertising shops in the United States.

1981-83—Burrell Communications up Martel Cognac and Stroh's accounts. The McDonald's “Double Dutch” Commercial in particular gains national attention and gains a Gold Award at the U.S. Television Commercials Festival. Agency billings climb to $20 Million annually. In order to accommodate increased needs for their Coca-Cola account, Burrell opens a new office in Atlanta, GA.

1984- 86—Burrell Communications gains the Procter and Gamble account. Their work for Crest Toothpaste becomes the first major packaged goods account to target an African American consumer audience. Burrell agency billings surpass the $50 Million per annum mark.

1987-90-- Burrell gets the Polaroid account, and gains new campaigns on Procter and Gamble’s Tide, and Kraft Foods Stovetop Dressing.

1991-96-- The agency is renamed Burrell Communications. Alma Hopkins is named CCO, while Sarah Burroughs is named President. Burrell Communications is awarded the Grand Effie by the American Marketing Association for its work on “Who Wants,” a spot created for the Partnership for a Drug Free America. Burrell garners new clients including Nynex, Mobil, Nabisco’s A1 Steak Sauce,  Maxwell House Coffee and Sears. Agency billings top a record-breaking $128 Million per annum.

2000—Burrell sells a 49% minority stake to French media giant Publicis Groupe in order to fund its expansion.

2002—Burrell Communications is named Black Enterprise’s Advertising Agency of the year

2004—Tom Burrell announces his retirement. Fay Ferguson and McGhee Osse Williams purchase the 51% majority stake, becoming Co-CEOs of Burrell Communications.

2006—Lewis Williams is welcomed as CCO at Burrell.

2007—Burrell Communications gains Toyota as its client, launching Toyota Camry’s highly successful “If Looks Could Kill,” the first digital campaign of its kind to target African American women.

2009—Burrell garners the American Airlines account and launches American Airlines “Black Atlas.”Burrell Digital is launched and Don Moore is welcomed as the President

2010 – SuperValu Stores names Burrell Communications its African American Agency of Record

2011—Burrell Communications is named Black Enterprise’s Advertising Agency of the Year and wins the Comcast account.

Clients
McDonald's, Comcast, Procter and Gamble, General Mills, SuperValu, American Airlines, Toyota, Lilly and Disney's Dreamers Academy

Awards
2000--Present