Rodney Burrell

Rodney Burrell

Rodney William Burrell is a writer, public relations specialist, and entrepreneur based in Pittsburgh, PA. He is the founder of Burrell Holdings, LLC, a diversified holding corporation, and Burrell Media Group, a specialty publishing group, PR firm, and creative services agency.

Writing Background

Burrell started his writing career at 13 when he was awarded an editor's choice award for his poem, "I,Me".

TWT Magazine

Burrell is currently the Editor-in-Chief of TWT Magazine, a publication focusing on technology, innovation, sustainability, and creativity. The publication is in print and digital formats.

The Inventsons

Burrell is currently the Editor-in-Chief and Project Manager for The Inventsons, a comic book about a family of inventors who battle an evil nemesis who is trying to ruin the world with his nefarious inventions.

Makes and Models Magazine

After college, Burrell moved to Tampa, Florida to work with M&M Magazine, a luxury automotive publication. He attended race school and began test-driving exotic cars and writing reviews. In 2004, he was awarded Writer of the year by the magazine. Burrell was promoted to Senior Editor of the publication and took over Editor-In-Chief responsibilities when the position became vacant. He coordinated photo shoots, recruited models, and planned wardrobe. He also planned the editorial calendar and public relations initiatives, managed design, sales, distribution, circulation, and promotions.

JVH Media Group

Burrell served as Editor-in-Chief for JVH Media Group, a mid-sized publisher known for the "All About" Magazine series, which included over 30 digital and print publications. The company's most well-known magazine, was AllAbout Bikes, a motorcycle lifestyle publication that ran from 2009-2012.

Burrell launched All About Luxury, All About Golf Resorts, All About Snow, All About Ferrari, and All About Lamborghini. He also launched the All About Executive brand, along with training a Boston-based editorial team.

LOCALPittsburgh

Burrell served as the Editor-in-Chief for LOCALpittsburgh, a Pittsburgh-based lifestyle, arts, and culture publication

Freelance Work

Burrell contributed and consulted for DuPont Registry, Hearst Publications, Paula White Magazine, Select Magazine, Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix, Harley Davidson, and Hr:Gmt Magazine

Magazine Publishing

VICI

In 2006, Burrell left M&M Magazine to launch his own publication called VICI, which was Latin for "I conquered". The publication, which focused on young business professionals, stayed on the market for a year before it ceased operations.

Pittsburgh Collective

Pittsburgh Collective is a digital content platform that was founded in 2015 as an outlet for the visual and performing arts in Pittsburgh.

KnuckleDragger

KnuckleDragger, now known as KDM, is an online and print publication highlighting action/adventure across the United States. The publication was founded in 2011 and is still in circulation.

Public Relations

Burrell has worked with a multitude of brands, organizations, athletes, and entertainers for public relations and strategic planning.

The Science Channel

Burrell's agency, BMG, currently manages communications and strategic planning for the Emmy Nominated Science Channel program, Tomorrow's World Today. He oversees public relations, strategy, advertising, marketing, and promotions for the show, which is going into its third season

Inventionland

Burrell's agency, BMG, currently manages all communications, public relations, strategic planning, marketing, and social media for Inventionland, the world's largest immersive work environment and invention factory. The 60,000 square foot space has won numerous awards and accolades over the past 13 years.

Michael Jordan Motorsports

Burrell managed Strategic Marketing Partnerships, helping the organization acquire new partnerships for on and off-track activations and sponsorships. His clientele included Rocky Patel Cigars, Playboy, TapouT, and Gillette.

McDonald's

Burrell was the Senior PR Manager for McDonald's Tampa Bay area stores, which consisted of 184 locations. He partnered the organization with The Tampa Bay Lightning and helped roll out the McCafe brand for each location.

Ferrari World

Burrell assisted Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, the world's first Ferrari amusement park, to help increase brand awareness and tourism from the US to the UAE.

Athletes and Entertainers

Burrell managed specialized contract negotiations, endorsement deals, and general public relations consulting for Justin Timberlake, Gavin Degraw, Taylor Swift, Faith Hill, Gary Sheffield, Michael Pittman, Derek Jeter, Joan Rivers, Ray Lewis, Charles Woodson, and Marc Broussard. Burrell was not an agent of record, as he worked in tandem with representation to partner with other brands and organizations.

Business Ventures

Burrell Media Group

Burrell Media Group was founded in 2004 as a publishing consulting and editorial content provider for new publishers seeking to either navigate the waters of self-publishing or produce content. BMG served as a full-service, turn-key solution for publishers, offering full-scale ability and management of editorial, logistics, distribution, circulation, ad sales, and other aspects of magazine publishing. During this time, Burrell began working with a wide variety of luxury brands, athletes, and entertainers and was approached for help with Public Relations. As a result, Burrell began offering the service, along with other creative services like photography, videography, web development, and graphic design.

Burrell Holdings

Burrell Holdings is a diversified holding corporation and investment incubator that provides capital and resources for start-up specialty businesses. The company was founded in 2001.

Ignite Studios

Ignite Studios is a multimedia studio, theater space, and art gallery based in Tarentum, PA. The studio is roughly 2,000 square feet and sectioned into three separate divisions; photography, multi-media, and arts. The photo studio offers general photo rentals, and house sessions for the fashion, boudoir, portrait, and commercial industry. The multi-media studio is equipped for podcasting and serves as a green room. The theater space produces small plays, performance classes, and community events.

SpeedShark

SpeedShark is a multifaceted automotive lifestyle organization that serves different sectors of the automotive industry that include Experiential Events, Publishing, Creative Media Services, Marketing, Products + Apparel, Performance + Racing, and Charitable Donations.

Coffee Passport Pittsburgh

Coffee Passport Pittsburgh was founded in 2015 as a hard-card program that encourages consumers to explore independent coffeehouses around the city of Pittsburgh.

Drink Indie

Drink Indie is a coffee-inspired clothing line designed to highlight independent cafes around the United States.

Gotham Capital

Gotham Capital is a private investment fund focused on emerging tech, entertainment, and tourism. The company also trains novice investors on Robo Investment platforms, and responsible investing.

BlackFall Tactical

BlackFall Tactical is a registered private security contractor for the United States Government. The company also operates a private sector training facility for local law enforcement, as well as retail firearms.

The Black Canary

The Black Canary is an independent cafe and ice cream shop located in Springdale, PA, a suburb of Pittsburgh.

Arkham Alley

Arkham Alley is a retro video game and comic book store located in Springdale, PA, a suburb of Pittsburgh. The business focuses on nostalgic experiences and offers traditional arcade gaming, testing areas, and other immersive retro experiences.

Marvel Motors

Marvel Motors is a specialty car dealership located in Springdale, PA, a suburb of Pittsburgh. They focus on retro, classic, and performance vehicles.

Retro Rentals

Retro Rentals is a classic and retro specialty rental service located in Pittsburgh, PA

Development Projects

Couples Passport

An all-in-one date night card.

Retro Gaming League

Pittsburgh-based gaming league for retro video games

FrostBurner

Snow-inspired lifestyle brand

Advocacy

Corporate Sexism

Burrell is an outspoken supporter of women's issues and specifically speaks out against corporate sexism.

-The Lingerie Football League

In 2017, Burrell lobbied to have The Pittsburgh Rebellion, a team in the Lingerie Football League (LFL), removed from the city, citing that the organization was overtly sexist, and degraded women while putting them at significant risk for serious injury. He also urged sponsors to pull support from The Pittsburgh Riverhounds stadium, which served as the LFL home field. The team left after one season in Pittsburgh.