Burrell gets digital… kinda

June 11, 2009

Burrell Communications hired long-time radio executive Don Moore to head up its digital practice. Although, Burrell is one of the countries largest African-American focused advertising agencies, with close to $200 million in billings, until the hiring of Moore early last month they had no digital presence. Moore brings a wealth of radio industry experience to the post with stints at both ABC Radio and Clear Channel. Moore was most recently part of the agency sales team in Google’s failed effort to provide offline radio ads. Google announced in February that they were shutting down the radio ad sales group and releasing the employees who worked there. Moore assumes the title of President of Burrell Digital, which is currently seeking vendors to execute any digital business it wins [this is true but sure not to go over well]. Perhaps as a first order of business Mr. Moore could hire a Digital shop to update the Flash awesomeness circa 1996, that is Burrell’s site.

Category: web 2.0 | Tags: Add new tag, agency 3.0, burrell, burrell digital, don moore, google, multicultural advertising

BlackAdAgencyGuy

@markus - some of the biggest full service agencies outsource for many projects...everything from freelance media planners, programming specialists, to project based creative types of all kinds to even film companies on an as-needed basis...there is nothing wrong with this as long as the commissioner drives/tempers the final decisions from all of the options presented to them (it really helps to work in a few executive positions at a few agencies to understand things from that vantage point)

@insider - if you say so man. Cant argue with what you think u know (smile)....shouldnt call other brothas and sistas 'jokes' though -- it gets us no where (typical for this site though....go get a job in the department and show them up then -- better yet start an agency and walk into one of Burrell's Fortune 100 client's exec offices and do your thang and steal them away)

If some of you sat and educated yourselves about the histories of pioneering companies like these you would have a much better appreciation for the trade of advertising and a deep reverence for the journey that firms like that have traveled which has given so many of us opportunities in advertising/marketing from both a viable consumer and professional perspective.

Build up/applaud efforts -- dont tear down.

Insider

Black Ad Agency Guy - you have no clue what u are talking about. They did 2-3 things - Burrell IN NO WAY has been interactive. They have fronted like they have by doing Microsites and such. They hired a new media Specialist last year - Siddiq Bello (look it up - Digital Boot Camps) - to bring them up to speed, cause they were lost and still are. Most of their staff barely gets the internet, so implementing a new media strategy for their clients is laughable.

This new hire is a joke and so is Burrell. They will continue to give ad dollars to the same 5 brands and try anything to try to act like they are still above water when they have about 1 more left before they are over. Believe that.

BlackAdAgencyGuy

This article is hugely erroneous in that Burrell has been executing digital plans for its clients for at least the last 12 years via direct and outsourced buys executed by hired specialty shops that work on their behalf. Get it right BW2.0. Burell is already heavy in the interactive space...this move sounds more like a strategic move to give clients the perception of specialists dedicated to certain lines of their business

markusrobinson

Erroneous...Nah. Vague...probably. What I believe the writer was referring to was the lack of digital presence from Burrell, the company, and not necessarily referring to Burrell's Ad campaigns.

I agree Burrell has produced some fairly innovative campaigns, including the Toyota Yaris microsites (I believe it was the Yaris), but my understanding is that in the past Burrell has had to rely fairly heavily on outside consulting, to author, design, and develop some of these campaigns. Maybe Mr. Moore's hiring is an attempt to build a stronger internal interactive department.