Tom Burrell: Breaking Barriers in Advertising

Tom Burrell, a black man in the 1960s, defied the odds and became a pioneer in advertising. Despite facing discrimination, Burrell broke into the industry and started challenging the norms of advertising that predominantly featured white faces. He championed the idea that black people are not just dark-skinned white people, and founded one of the first all-black ad agencies, Burrell McBain. With major brands like McDonald's as clients, Burrell implemented positive realism in his campaigns, featuring everyday black people in relatable situations. His approach revolutionized advertising, giving rise to specialized and targeted advertising for various demographic groups.