Anna Morris

Anna Morris stands as a beacon of inspiration and champion for African American creatives working in the industry. Her groundbreaking contributions, often overlooked by mainstream narratives, have reshaped the landscape of advertising, creating pathways for diversity and inclusion.

Morris embarked on her journey at Burrell Communications, swiftly becoming a creative force specializing in targeted radio and television commercials that resonated with African American audiences. Coining the term “Mickey D’s” and pioneering the iconic “Calvin” recruiting campaign for McDonald’s, as well as her work on P&G, Crest and Tide, the first CPG TV ad directed to African-American, marked her as a visionary in urban advertising.

 

 

 

Breaking barriers, Morris led the charge in crafting the first black Print/Radio campaign for Carnation Breakfast Bars and brought the first black McDonald’s commercials to the Super Bowl, carving a space for representation on a national stage. Her commitment to cultural education manifested in initiatives like the nationally syndicated television special, “An African American Salute to the Academy Awards,” showcasing her versatility as a writer and producer. Her trailblazing initiatives extended to developing the first fully integrated marketing campaign for South Shore Bank and writing the first-ever Columbia Pictures movie trailers targeted specifically to African Americans.

Among her numerous accolades, Morris earned a Grand Effie for the Partnership for a Drug-Free America PSA and sixteen Creative Excellence in Black Advertising Awards (CEBA) for her outstanding work on McDonald’s and Coca-Cola campaigns. Her Clio Awards for McDonald’s TV commercials “A Family Is” and Coca-Cola TV commercial “Street Song” underscore her excellence in storytelling. Morris’s ingenuity was further acknowledged with ADDY and ANDY Awards for her contributions to McDonald’s advertising. Her work on the US Television Commercials Festival, securing two Gold Awards for “Double Dutch” and “A Family Is,” along with the Mobius Award for Coca-Cola’s TV commercial “Festival,” solidifies her status as a pioneer in advertising. Morris’s WINDY (Windy City) Radio Awards for McDonald’s “Beltin’ Bessie” and “DooWop” showcase her versatility across different mediums.

 

 

 
While Anna spent her creative career putting African Americans in front of the camera, she has also been a driving force in providing jobs to black creatives in various facets of production. She played an instrumental role in the development of two black-owned, commercially successful music houses, Joyart and Herschel Commercial. Her creative work for Procter & Gamble was so revolutionary and inspiring that it inspired the corporation to invest in the development of a black-owned production company with Roy Campanella, Jr.

Further, Anna’s impact extends beyond generational barriers. Her commitment to mentorship and education shines through her role as a part-time instructor at Columbia College in Chicago, where she nurtured the next generation of marketers and creatives. Her lasting legacy of promoting and developing diversity and inclusion in the industry is reflected in the success of mentees like Fay Ferguson, Lewis Williams, Jimmy Smith and Paul Wilson.
 

Anna Morris’s legacy, shaped by her ingenuity and commitment to representation, serves as a testament to the transformative power of advertising when guided by purpose and a dedication to diverse narratives. Her influence, now coming to light, paves the way for a more inclusive future in the advertising industry.