**Burrell Communications Group’s “You Can’t Stop My Drive” Campaign Wins Grand Prize at 2025 ARF David Ogilvy Awards**
*CHICAGO, Oct. 27, 2025* – Burrell Communications Group (BCG), the founding agency of BCG Worldwide (BCGWW) and the only Black-owned agency network, has been named the Grand Winner of the prestigious 2025 ARF David Ogilvy Awards for its groundbreaking Toyota Motor North America campaign celebrating Black men.
The campaign, titled **“You Can’t Stop My Drive,”** received the Gold Award in the Cultural Fluency category. This award recognizes best-in-class work that demonstrates how insights and research can elevate creative execution and deliver measurable brand impact. Winning this category qualified Burrell Communications Group to compete across all award categories, ultimately earning the title of Grand Winner.
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### A Deeper Connection with Black Men Through Insightful Research
For over 20 years, Toyota has cultivated a strong relationship with Black consumers based on its reputation for quality, dependability, and reliability. However, connecting specifically with Black men remained a challenge.
In partnership with Toyota, Burrell’s research team conducted a comprehensive three-part, multi-layered ethnographic study aimed at uncovering the deeper emotional triggers affecting Black men daily. Their research revealed that **mobility** is a crucial factor unlocking new opportunities and realities for Black men.
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### Campaign Impact and Reception
The “You Can’t Stop My Drive” campaign resonated deeply not only with Black men but also with Black women, younger consumers, and even non-Toyota owners. Although geared toward Black men, the campaign also achieved strong performance metrics across the general market.
To date, the campaign has driven significant positive shifts in brand perception and purchase intent.
Mike Tripp, Group Vice President of Marketing for Toyota Motor North America, commented,
“Our brand’s recognition by the ARF with the David Ogilvy Award underscores our commitment to effectively reach our customers with the right messaging. This work from Burrell is inspiring, empowering, and impactful. We are proud of their efforts and honored to have them as our partner.”
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### Campaign Highlights
Launched in January and running through June 2025, the campaign is infused with optimism about the future and the important role automotive mobility plays in achieving it.
NBA superstar Damian Lillard narrates the television spot, which features young adult Black men in diverse settings, each accompanied by a different Toyota model. Highlights include:
– Westin Workman, GR Cup Racer
– Fashion influencer Devan on Deck
– Damian Lillard himself, who also owns a Toyota dealership
The voiceover declares:
*“In case you didn’t know, these young men are different. Quite remarkable. Magnificent. And unmistakable. No, they don’t dream. They manifest. They are unapologetic about who they are and what they want. These are not your ‘little homies.’ They do not seek your guidance or mentorship. They are the ones we’ve been waiting for.”*
The spot concludes with the rallying cry: **“You can’t stop my drive.”**
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### A Statement from Burrell Communications Group
Tara DeVeaux, CEO of Burrell Communications Group, shared,
*“It’s so satisfying for this work to be recognized with this top honor. Our partners at Toyota fully embraced this campaign—grounded in rigorous research and a genuine desire to recognize Black men as creators, innovators, friends, and family men. We’re incredibly proud of this work and our long-standing partnership with this esteemed brand.”*
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### Creative Team Credits
**Toyota Motor North America:**
– Mike Tripp, Group Vice President
– Dedra DeLilli, Vice President
– Dionne Colvin-Lovely, Group Manager
– Whitney Kennedy, Consumer Insights Senior Manager
**Burrell Communications Group, LLC:**
– Jeffrey Fortune, VP, Planning & Strategy
– Tonya Roberts, VP, Consumer Insights
– Corey D. Seaton, VP, Group Creative Director
**Rapport Marketing Research:**
– Monique Madara, Principal and Founder
**Collage Group:**
– Vivienne Hayes, Research Manager, Custom Insights
– Emiley Beeson, Director, Custom Insights
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### About Burrell Communications Group
Founded in 1971 by advertising pioneer Tom Burrell, who led the agency for 33 years, Burrell Communications Group is the largest Black-owned agency in the United States specializing in multicultural marketing. The agency is recognized for its deep understanding of today’s diverse market and serves a prestigious client roster including Toyota, Comcast, Deloitte, Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Exact Sciences, and the American Red Cross.
Burrell’s 2025 David Ogilvy Award win reaffirms its leadership in culturally fluent advertising.
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### About the ARF
Established in 1936, the Advertising Research Foundation (ARF) is the leading authority on quality and integrity in advertising, media, and marketing research. With over 400 member companies, the ARF advances industry standards through collaboration and innovation, helping to shape the future of advertising and marketing.
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### Media Contact
Kathleen Sampey
TKS Media
Phone: 1-718-930-6108
Email: [email protected]
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*Source: Burrell Communications Group*
https://www.prweb.com/releases/burrell-communications-receives-arfs-highest-honor-named-grand-winner-of-the-david-ogilvy-awards-302593607.html
