Thomas J. Burrell (Finding Aid)

Thomas J. Burrell

1939 -

Favorite Color: Black

Favorite Food: Hummus

Favorite Time of Year: Spring/Summer

Favorite Vacation Spot: Paris, France

Interview Length: 190 minutes

Interview Date(s): June 5, 2001

Interview Location(s): Burrell Communications Group Headquarters, Chicago, IL

Abstract

Tom Burrell lists his biographical information and lists his favorites. He then details his mother's family origins and how she lives her life today. Burrell later talks about his father and the family members from Tennessee. Tom Burrell reflects on his father's personality and recalls his cruel behavior. Burrell talks about his family's pattern of migration from the South and how it relates to his parents. He later details the extended family members and the crowded living arrangements he experienced as a child. Lastly, Burrell recalls his childhood personality. Tom Burrell talks more about his childhood personality. Burrell recalls his vivid imagination as a young boy and his desire to imitate the western and gangster characters he saw in the movies. Burrell reflects on his parents' behavior towards him in his youth and how it influences him today. He later details the many jobs he held and how his mother motivated him to work and succeed. Tom Burrell recalls the teachers that influenced him in elementary school and details one in particular that brought out his creative side. Burrell later talks about his bad experiences at Englewood High School in Chicago and his decision to transfer to Parker High School to get a better education. Tom Burrell details his experiences at Parker High School and talks about the teacher that helped him decide his career path. Lastly Burrell talks about his first year at Roosevelt University and his personal philosophy as it applies to making a career choice. Tom Burrell talks about his decision to work in the advertising field, a unique career choice for African Americans in the 1950s. Burrell recalls his plan to attend college in Mexico and how his father sabotaged it. He later details his difficult freshman year at Roosevelt University in Chicago. Tom Burrell details his eyesight problem and talks about how it may have interfered with his early learning ability. Burrell then recounts his earning an English degree after taking a year off from school to work. Burrell reflects on his Roosevelt University experience and the friends and faculty that influenced him. Later Tom Burrell talks about the leadership experience he gained while a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. Finally he talks about his mother's support and details how he gained entry into the advertising field. Tom Burrell details how he got promoted from delivering the mail to becoming a copy writer at Wade Advertising in Chicago. He later describes the accounts he received and his very first commercial. Burrell later recalls the acts of racial discrimination he was subjected to while at Wade. Burrell changes jobs and moves to Leo Burnett advertising agency in Chicago and describes the discriminatory office culture there. Burrell details Leo Burnett's failed attempt at integrating the company in the 1960s, and how a support group for black employees is formed as a result. Tom Burell talks about what forced him to leave Leo Burnett and go live in Europe. Lastly Burrell reflects on his personal self-esteem and theorizes on how self-esteem dictates to the African American race as a whole. Tom Burrell talks about his life in London after getting married in Chicago. He later reflects on how the low salary in Britain forced him to return to work in the U.S., despite the more favorable work environment. Burrell recalls his experiences at Needham, Harper & Steers and the office culture there. He later details the first black-owned advertising agencies in New York and Chicago. Tom Burrell describes the institutionalized racism he experienced and self-esteem issues that returned upon returning to the U.S. Burrell then details how he formed his own advertising business and discusses his first advertising clients. Tom Burrell recalls how he gained entry into the advertising business and how his company differed from other notable black advertisers in Chicago. Lastly Burrell explains how his agency portrays African Americans positively in its advertising campaigns. Tom Burrell talks about his company's positive and negative milestones. Burrell then discusses his company's alliance with the French communications conglomerate, Publicis. He then talks about the changes the advertising industry needs to adapt to a multicultural society. Burrell talks more about the industry and how it is still catering to a white consumer base. He then reflects on how his industry has changed and how the client now tries to dictate profit earnings. Tom Burrell then talks about the legacy of black-owned businesses and how they need to adapt in order to survive. Lastly Burrell talks about what he believes his business legacy will be. Tom Burrell talks about the future of his company and the importance of giving back to the community. Burrell talks about the other things he would like to do with his life and his concern for the black community. He talks about the problem of 'race esteem deficiency' and his thoughts on how to solve it. Tom Burrell then reflects on what his parents might say about his life accomplishments and reflects on what his legacy might be. Lastly Burrell describes the photographs he provided.

64 Stories (See Ordered Story Set)