After leading the agency to sustained growth and success since purchasing a majority stake from founder Tom Burrell in 2004, Burrell Communications Group’s co-CEOs McGhee Osse and Fay Ferguson have announced a transition to new ownership.
A highly regarded multicultural advertising agency, Burrell Communications Group was acquired by an equity consortium led by FVLCRUM Funds (“FVLCRUM”) and Channing Johnson. FVLCRUM is a minority-owned private equity firm based in Rockville, Maryland, that specializes in impact and growth investments, while Johnson is a Los Angeles corporate attorney with decades of experience in media and entertainment. Johnson will serve as chairman.
Tara DeVeaux, the former CMO of Los Angeles-based Wild Card Creative Group and managing director of its creative content division, 3AM, has been named the incoming CEO. DeVeaux has a multifaceted background in advertising, media, and entertainment, with her agency foundation established at Y&R, SpikeDDB, and BBDO where she rose to CMO of the New York office.
“We are truly excited for Burrell’s next chapter,” stated Osse. “It was pivotal to Fay and me to transition the company to a team that would be committed to investing in the agency, growing its capabilities and reach in the years ahead and maintaining the talent and culture that makes Burrell special.”
“Having jointly led Burrell for nearly two decades,” added Ferguson, “McGhee and I sought to ensure that the new ownership shared our vision, standard of values, and maintained Burrell’s Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) designation. We are also thrilled about their selection of Tara as CEO. We’ve gotten to know her throughout this process, and she has shown tremendous energy and enthusiasm coupled with a commitment to the agency’s future.”
“I am excited and inspired by the opportunity to take on this role at what is a pivotal time in Burrell’s history,” said DeVeaux. “With multicultural consumers driving most general market trends, the line between general market and multicultural advertising has never been grayer. Understanding where these consumers are now helps brands to project where they need to be in the near future, and that’s always been Burrell’s strength. I plan to build upon that legacy through a concentrated focus on data to deliver fresh insights and renewed creativity across all platforms so we can continue to be a vital partner in growing our clients’ business.”
Johnson thanked FVLCRUM for sharing his vision and emphasized his key goals are for “Burrell to become the ‘go-to’ agency for brands who recognize the importance of speaking authentically to our growing transcultural world, and to become the destination agency for new talent in the business.”
Chijioke Asomugha, partner of FVLCRUM stated, “Burrell is an iconic company that has helped tell the diverse stories of many respected brands for more than 50 years. FVLCRUM is eager to build upon the impactful legacy of Burrell through this significant equity investment.”
