Burrell

About Burrell

Burrell, founded by Tom Burrell and Emmett McBain, is a branding & identity agency based in Chicago. Its work also spans Strategy and PR & Comms.

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
• FoundersTom Burrell, Emmett McBain
• Phone+13122979600
• Emailcareers@burrell.com
• Websiteburrell.com

Best for

Burrell is a good fit if you need:

• A new brand identity or a rebrand
• Brand positioning and strategy
• Public relations and communications

Careers & open roles

Burrell is currently hiring. See current openings on its careers page.

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