Burrell
Chicago, Illinois
About Burrell
Burrell Communications is a genuine landmark in American advertising — the Chicago agency founded by Tom Burrell, the pioneer who built the case that "Black people are not dark-skinned white people" and that authentic representation was both a moral and a commercial imperative. Its work for McDonald's and Coca-Cola helped define what culturally rooted advertising could be, and the agency's philosophy of "positive realism" reshaped how brands spoke to Black audiences.
The strength is unmatched heritage and cultural authority in a space Burrell helped invent — strategy, creative and storytelling grounded in genuine cultural understanding rather than assumption. The thing to evaluate, as with any agency with a towering legacy, is the vitality of the current work against that history. But the institutional knowledge and cultural credibility here are things no younger shop can simply acquire.
Specialties
At a glance
- LocationsChicago
- Phone+13122979600
- Emailcareers@burrell.com
- Websiteburrell.com
Careers & open roles
Burrell is currently hiring. See current openings on its careers page.
Frequently asked questions
- Where is Burrell located?
- Burrell is based in Chicago.
- What does Burrell specialize in?
- Burrell focuses on Branding & Identity, Strategy and PR & Comms.
- Is Burrell hiring?
- Yes — Burrell has open roles listed on its careers page.
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