Tom Burrell facts for kids
Thomas J. "Tom" Burrell was born on March 18, 1939. He is a very important person in the world of advertising. He started his own company called Burrell Communications and became one of the first African Americans to lead the way in this field. He helped change how companies talked to different groups of people through their ads.
Early Life and Education
Tom Burrell grew up in Chicago. His father owned a local business, and his mother worked in a beauty salon. When he was in high school, he made a smart choice to switch schools. This helped him focus on his studies and avoid bad influences. At his new school, a teacher saw his talent and encouraged him to explore advertising. This advice changed his path!
After high school, Tom went to Roosevelt University. He studied English, which helped him become a great communicator. He also took classes in advertising, learning all about how to create effective messages.
A Trailblazing Career in Advertising
Tom Burrell made history by becoming the first Black person to work in an advertising agency in Chicago. He worked hard and gained a lot of experience over ten years. Then, he decided to take a big step. He teamed up with Emmett McBain to open their own advertising company called Burrell McBain Advertising.
Tom had a very important idea that made his agency special. He believed that advertising should understand and respect different cultures. He famously said that "Black people are not dark-skinned white people." This meant that ads for Black audiences should be created with their unique music, styles, and interests in mind, instead of just using ads made for other groups.
In 1974, Tom bought out his partner and renamed the company Burrell Communications Group. His agency quickly became very successful. Big companies like McDonald's and Coca-Cola were some of his first clients. They trusted him to help them connect with more people.
Later, in 1999, Tom sold part of his company to help it grow even bigger. He then stepped back from leading the company every day and became chairman emeritus. This means he was still honored for his leadership but wasn't in charge anymore. Tom Burrell's amazing work was recognized when he was added to the American Advertising Federation Hall of Fame. This is a special place for the most important people in advertising history. He also wrote two books, Brainwashed: Challenging the Myth of Black Inferiority and Brainwashed: Erasing the Myth of Black Inferiority, which share his thoughts on important social topics.
In 2017, after he had retired, a group called The One Club honored him again for all his professional achievements.
Personal Life
Tom Burrell and his wife, Madeleine Moore Burrell, live in Miami. Tom has supported and received help from the Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind. He has a condition that affects his eyesight, and this organization helps people with vision problems.
