Tom Burrell
Tom Burrell, Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Burrell Communications, is a legend and
trailblazer in both the advertising world, and now, as an acclaimed author and activist. His
mark is indelibly imprinted on our collective memory and consciousness, as he was the
chief visionary and pioneer of some of the most memorable moments in advertising and
media history. And now, with the advent of his stunning new book, BRAINWASHED:
Challenging The Myth of Black Inferiority, Burrell lends his expertise and media savvy to
the conversation on race.
In 1971, Mr. Burrell established Burrell Communications, a ground‐breaking advertising
agency that was one of the first in the world to recognize the unique qualities of the African
American market. Burrell famously coined the phrase, “Black people are not dark‐skinned
white people,” and succeeded in creating some of the most famous campaigns in advertising
history, including campaigns for McDonald’s and Coca Cola products. A reel of Burrell’s
advertisements for Coca‐Cola is currently archived at the Library of Congress for its
historical significance. Burrell Communications continues to be a marquis name in the
advertising world.
Mr. Burrell has garnered numerous prestigious awards and accolades, including:
Advertising Person of the Year, the coveted Albert Lasker Award for Lifetime Achievement
in Advertising, DuSable Museum’s HistoryMaker Award, and the Missouri Honor Medal for
Distinguished Service in Journalism. Advertising Age named Mr. Burrell one of “50 Who
Made A Difference” in its special issue, “50 Years of TV Advertising.” In “The Advertising
Century,” issue, the publication designated him among the “Top 100 Advertising People”
who have shaped the course of advertising history. In 2004, he was inducted into the
American Advertising Federation’s Advertising Hall of Fame.
Mr. Burrell, who is legally blind, received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his
dedication and work with the Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind. He is recognized as an
inspiration and role model within the differently‐abled community.
Mr. Burrell retired from the advertising industry in 2004 to pursue his career as an author
and activist. His highly acclaimed first book, BRAINWASHED: Challenging the Myth of Black
Inferiority has sparked a lively and international conversation on race and the role of
advertising and media in the perpetuation of racism and race‐based self‐esteem issues.
BRAINWASHED was named one of the “65 Greatest Books” in Ebony Magazine’s 65th
anniversary issue, Jet Magazine’s Editorial Pick, and has received rave reviews by
Newsweek’s Ellis Cose, Black Enterprise Magazine, Essence Magazine’s Susan Taylor, the
Reverend Al Sharpton, Dr. Cornel West, and many more.
Most recently, Burrell was awarded the Revolutionary Award by ImageNation for his work
with his non‐profit, The Resolution Project, an organization that combats negative images of
blacks in the media with education, awareness and positive new media.
Tom Burrell speaks to audiences all over the world on the subjects of Diversity, African
American issues, Advertising and Media, and Achieving Success Against All Odds.