Anna Morris's career in advertising is marked by her dedication to celebrating Black culture and increasing African American representation within the creative workforce. As Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer at Burrell Communications, she crafted iconic advertisements that resonated deeply with African American audiences, including Coca-Cola's "Street Song" and McDonald's "Double Dutch."

Morris's innovative approach led to the coining of the term "Mickey D's," embedding it into popular culture. She was instrumental in developing the "Calvin" recruiting campaign for McDonald's, which highlighted the journey of a young Black man securing employment, thereby promoting positive narratives within the community. Her work with Procter & Gamble on brands like Crest and Tide resulted in the first consumer packaged goods television advertisement directed specifically at African American audiences.

Breaking barriers, Morris led the creation of the first Black print and radio campaign for Carnation Breakfast Bars and brought the first Black McDonald's commercials to the Super Bowl, ensuring representation on a national stage. Her commitment to cultural education was evident in initiatives like the nationally syndicated television special, "An African American Salute to the Academy Awards," showcasing her versatility as a writer and producer. She also developed the first fully integrated marketing campaign for South Shore Bank and crafted Columbia Pictures movie trailers targeted specifically to African American audiences.

Throughout her career, Morris received numerous accolades, including a Grand Effie for the Partnership for a Drug-Free America PSA and sixteen Creative Excellence in Black Advertising Awards for her work with McDonald's and Coca-Cola. She earned Clio Awards for McDonald's "A Family Is" and Coca-Cola's "Street Song," along with ADDY and ANDY Awards for her contributions to McDonald's advertising. Her work was further recognized with Gold Awards at the US Television Commercials Festival for "Double Dutch" and "A Family Is," and a Mobius Award for Coca-Cola's "Festival." Additionally, she received WINDY Radio Awards for McDonald's "Beltin' Bessie" and "DooWop."

Beyond her creative endeavors, Morris played a pivotal role in providing opportunities for Black creatives across various facets of production. She was instrumental in developing two Black-owned, commercially successful music houses, Joyart and Herschel Commercial. Her unwavering commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion has left an indelible mark on the advertising industry, paving the way for future generations of African American creatives.

Find out more: https://creativehalloffame.org/inductees/anna-morris-creative-hall-of-fame/

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